Judges
Irwin James Dsouza
8th grade in Keyboard Teaching music for 25 years
Keyboard violin and guitar
Meenoshka Dias
With a career spanning over 13 years as a singer, Meenoshka Dias has established herself as one of Goa’s prominent vocalists. Renowned for her versatility across genres such as Western Classical, Pop, Soul, RnB, Jazz, Goan Folk, and Portuguese Fado, she effortlessly breathes life into every performance. As a vocal trainer, Meenoshka blends traditional contemporary methods to train young singers to achieve their singing goals
Nicole Williams
Nicole Williams is a pianist and accompanist based in Goa, India, known for her collaborative work with vocalists and instrumentalists. She holds a Bachelor’s of Music degree in Piano Performance from The Master’s University in California, USA, where she accompanied many soloists, as well as the University Choirs. Nicole started studying the piano at the age of 5, under the tutelage of her mother and grandmother, both pianists. She has also accompanied and worked with multiple musicians and choirs through the Pune Music Society in Pune, India, as well as performing artists from around the world here in Goa. Nicole is married and is the mother of 5 children.
Rajesh Bundole
Rajesh Bundela is the Founder and Director of Inspire Music Institute, Margao, Goa, an institute dedicated to providing high-quality and structured music education to young learners. He holds Advanced Certifications in Acoustic Guitar from the London College of Music (LCM), London, and in Classical Piano. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Rajesh has mentored and trained numerous students across different age groups in piano, guitar, ukulele, and music theory. His teaching philosophy emphasizes strong musical foundations, creativity, disciplined practice, and confident performance. Through Inspire Music Institute, he is committed to nurturing talent and inspiring students to develop a lifelong appreciation and passion for music.
Maria Gorette Vas
Maria studied Violin under the guidance of Dr.Fr.Lourdino Baretto and has excelled as the only licetiate in Teachers Diploma of the Trinity college of London. She has been teaching music for the past 33 years, dedicating her life to nurturing young minds and instilling in them a love for music, discipline, and a deep musical understanding. With God’s help and her unwavering dedication, her mission has always been to guide children to enjoy learning and to develop a lifelong appreciation for music. Many of her students have achieved significant milestones, including successfully completing the Recital Diploma. Today, several of them are music teachers in Goa and across the globe, carrying forward the knowledge and passion they received under her guidance.
Our International Judges
Maryna Borsuk
Maryna is a highly accomplished piano, theory and composition educator with an impressive tenure spanning over 20 years. Her expertise lies in preparing students for graded and diploma exams across internationally recognized boards and for competitions. She served at Vocal Studio Orpheus in Dubai, UAE, as a teacher and trainer. Prior to this, Maryna held a pivotal role as a senior teacher and Yamaha-certified instructor/examiner at the Sing and Swing Training Center in Dubai. Here,she excelled in coordinating school operations and training other educators. Maryna’s educational journey is distinguished by her Honors Diploma of Specialist (Master Degree of Concert Performer, Instructor, Chamber Company Performer and Orchestra Leader) from the Nezhdanova State Conservatoire of Odessa, Ukraine, FTCL Diploma from Trinity College of London and certifications from Yamaha Music Foundation further validate her exceptional musical proficiency which evidenced her students’ consistent attainment of distinction results.
Anastasiia Voloshyna
Owner of La Vita Music and Art Center in Sharjah for the last 9 years. Anastasia has Graduated from the Music College and the University of Culture And Art in Ukraine. Special subjects is Piano, Classical Vocal, Choir Conductor and Music Theory Her students have won several Competitions like Best of the best, Burjuman Rising Stars, Arabian music festivals, Young Talent Music Competition and many more. Has taught many famous celebrities.
Asel Chonkoloeva
An experienced music teacher, graduate of Moscow Academic College, majoring in Vocals and Piano. Has been teaching music and English for 10 years, with many students successfully passing international exams and becoming laureates of contests and festivals, also a founder and conductor of a chamber choir in Moscow. A passionate music lover, dedicated to passing it down to the next generation of musicians and helping youngsters develop professional skills to realize their ambitions.
Elipas Cahaponon Sibua
National Director TEAM UAE, World Championships of Performing Arts Music Teacher for Vocals, Piano and Guitar at Sumbarke School and Modern Music Show Composer of the movie “Fisherman: 2022 CANNES World Festival Fibalist Expo 2020 Dubai Performer.
Hana Hamida
Hana Hamida graduated from the Higher Music Institute of Tunisia and completed her Master’s research at Pierre and Marie Curie University of Sorbonne. She has judged multiple prestigious music competitions and served as a piano instructor and assistant in the choir and orchestra of the regional conservatoire in Tunisia. She has also worked as an activity coordinator and Gifted and Talented coordinator, with her students achieving success in various interschool competitions in Sharjah. Hana is currently a music educator at Sunmarke School with Fortes Education.
Jaroslav Orlicek
Jaroslav comes from Slovakia, in the heart of Europe. His journey to music started at the State Conservatory of Music in the capital city, Bratislava where he studied musical instruments such as trumpet and piano. During his study he has gained knowledge on other music instruments such as flute, akordeon, or bandoneon. Part of his life he has performed as a musician in different music bands and projects; folk, pop, ska, jazz, tango argentino music and many others. One of the most important was a Mexican mariachi music band, in which he had the opportunity to travel the world. At the moment he works as a pedagog of music and music instruments in Dubai, where he transfers his professional experience to young musicians.
Alena Katovich
Alena Katovich is a vocal and piano teacher at Vocal Studio Orpheus. Having worked as a teacher for over 15 years, she has often been invited to judge different music festivals and competitions within the UAE, such as Best of the Best, Millennium Melodies, Singing Sensations and Kalinka among others. Among her many students is the Grand prize winner of the Young Musicians of the Gulf competition held in Manama, Bahrain last January 2020, Sourav Roy, who also won the same competition in 2021 for the Piano category.
Jonathan Ramgopal
Jonathan is a choir director – his senior school choir was the winner of Choirfest Middle East 2019 at the Dubai Opera; a music director who has scored professional and amateur school theatre productions that include Fiddler on the Roof, Phantom of the Opera, Almost Alice, Hansel & Gretel, Wizard of OZ, and a composer who has scored movies and ads – most recently, the sonic branding for Toblerone and CBI. As well as performing for audiences in excess of 10,000 people Jonathan has had the privilege of playing for various dignitaries such as H.H. Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, U.S. President Bill Clinton and award-winning Indian composer A. R. Rahman. Jonathan is currently Director and Owner of Vocal Studio Orpheus – a school for virtuoso students in Dubai Knowledge Village; and is both – the Music and Rock & Pop Specialist as well as Head of Business Development for Trinity College in the Middle East.
Collins Ofori
A Ghanaian with B.ed in music Education, dance Band and church music. Versatile and dedicated musician , keyboardist, composer with 10 years teaching career and in performing experience in studio sessions and compositional techniques. Lead a brass and choir essembles. Currently The Music teacher for Al Diyafah high school.
Pascale Haddad
Pascale is a dedicated Music expert with a Master of Arts in Music Education instructor and an extensive experience in music Performance , instruction and curriculum planning. She imparts knowledge in voice and cello and trains educators from diverse backgrounds in music teaching techniques across the Middle East and Africa.
Ekaterina Gaidareva
Ekaterina is a musician, performer, teacher. She graduated from the St.Petersburg Conservatory and gained international experience as a participant in youth educational projects in Europe. She was a participant in international and master classes and competitions and gave concerts in Europe, Asia , India, China and the UAE.
Nelson D’souza
Nelson D’souza, founder of the Young Talent Music Competition now in its third edition. A Violinist, Guitarist , Singer and Songwriter and Music Producer has performed with the famed Paranjoti Choir from Bombay, India, Bombay Chamber Orchestra and the Dubai Chamber Orchestra. Has also conducted several Musical Recitals in Schools and runs performance-based Music Clubs in Schools in Dubai. Also runs an Audio recording Studio. Mr.Nelson has also produced three Music Albums under the label of “Muzikminds”.
