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Laisa: My keyword is R.E.S.P.E.C.T

Ruby Taylor-Newton
Friday, August 17, 2012

If you're a USP student whose singing talent is just itching to be released, then all you need to do is grab a microphone at the Wateva Bar next to the university's gym and sing away.

Now, you can do this anyday, but of course you'll need a band, right?

Laisa Vulakoro's company, VudeVibes Corporation Ltd has a contract with Campus Life at USP since February this year, as a service provider.

Their main role is to identify, nurture, and mentor young, budding musicians who care to come for auditions.

"USP opened their new Staff and Student Bar in January this year and I signed my contract in February," said Vulakoro.

"The Bar is called "Wateva Bar" next to the Gym. The stage is called "Open Mic Stage" meaning, Open Microphone or Open Stage. It is for anyone, staff or student who wants to explore and expose their talent and live their Dream," adds Vulakoro.

Every Friday night between 6pm to 10 pm, Laisa brings musicians to perform on The Open Mic Stage.

The students that have been practicing with Laisa and her crew have their turns in performing with the bands.

A week ago, they brought in Kala Bline, Ioane Burese's band from Raiwaqa.

"During the practice sessions with Kala Bline, I saw that everyone was having a great time. Then I was thinking..... Here are the Raiwaqa boys, most of them are school dropouts and unemployed.... and here are the university students.... all have different career paths....but all have one thing in common - music!

"Coming and sharing together for the love of music! Music makes them understand each other and sharing their knowledge makes them all the same level, and can only make them all better human beings, which brings to mind the saying, "Politics divide, music unites," Vulakoro said.

"They are a gifted bunch of young musicians. I was very impressed with them," Vulakoro said of Kala Bline .

Every Friday there is a different show for the audience as Laisa rotates the performances between old and new.

"Some Fridays I bring in professional musicians and some Fridays, upcoming young bands who are looking for opportunities and need the exposure," explains Vulakoro.

"These bands back up the students that don't play an instrument, but just sing," she said.

At the USP Open Stage, two student bands perform regularly - The "Coconut Chop Suey Band" made up of Chinese, and part European students, and "Chord Change Band" made up of Solomon Island national students.

Since signing on with USP, Laisa has already registered 40 students, who although they pursue careers in different fields, all have interest in music and are happy for the opportunity to be able to perform and let go of the stresses of studying.

This week, Laisa was mentor to the Kaila! Star Search contestants before the finals which took place at Albert Park Hibicus grounds last night, a role she said she was very honoured to do.

"I commend the Kaila! initiative very much as it is an opportunity as well as bringing out these young talents to make something out of their gifts and at the same time encouraging them to complete their education," she said.

"One important key word which I always encourage all the young people that I mentor is RESPECT!

"No matter, what background, religion, race, ect..they come from, they each have to respect the others' talent! Everyone brings to the table their own unique and special style.

"My job as the mentor is to see if any two or three or more combinations blend together to create a good sound. This applies to the vocals and their skills in playing an instrument,"she added.

"I usually bring in professional musicians like Seru Serevi, Osea Bari, Marika Nakete, Sam and David Stevens, Sami Mawi, Eddie Tanoa to name a few when I need help in identifying these points," Vulakoro said.

"When these young people learn to first respect each other's talent, they will appreciate each other so much more and learn to share and understand each other's cultures!

"Music is a universal language and is the greatest tool for bringing all different cultures together, and also for disseminating messages and information to the public," the vude queen said.