Golden Melody Academia Program in 2017 Golden Melody Awards & Festival develops the next generation. A showcase was held at Taiwan Television Company on May 27th. 40 students from seven schools performed their creative works over the past five weeks in eight teams. Judges and instructors Kay Huang, Xiao-wen Ding, and Hong-yu Chen all praised their performances. Each team is composed of students from different colleges and backgrounds. It's challenging to compose a song in five short weeks. The song ‘Nurture Dream’ won Jury Prize. It will be recorded in a professional studio with the help of three judges.
Among outstanding performances, ‘Andante in Wasteland’ won the first prize with NT$10,000, followed by ‘Fireflies’ and ‘Eat Me’. Besides Best Lyricist and Best Outfit, Ding also personally prepared prizes to recognize students who participated all Saturday workshops. “Teaching is like a romantic relationship,” said Huang. “It takes efforts to move towards marriage. Every one of you will take major responsibilities in this industry in future, so I hope to pass on these experiences in a careful way.” Ding has been very committed to musical education. She encouraged the students that “the industry is transforming, and communication goes far and beyond. Although entry level is lower, competition is higher. It's important to keep yourself in a correct and healthy perspective and build a sustainable career while you are young”.
Golden Melody Academia Program has completed after five weekends. Participating students think it valuable to learn in this GMA event, with or without prizes, and this opportunity to discuss about music with experienced professionals help them contemplate on future directions and objectives.