PARKROYAL GROUP CONTINUES QUEST FOR YOUNG TALENTS IN PERFORMING ARTS

Singapore, 23 April, 2008:  As part of its corporate social responsibility initiative, Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts will continue with its support in 2008 for young talents in the performing arts through its sponsorship of a scholarship programme.

To kick-start activities this year, Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts is presenting and sponsoring an exciting talent competition with the Parkroyal Talent Quest in May 2008. This competition aims to recruit young undiscovered talents from eight to 12 years old in the performing arts and provide them with the opportunity to train with JazzKids, a group of young performers who have also through Parkroyal initiatives performed internationally.

Parkroyal Group’s Executive Director, Ms Wee Wei Ling said, “I believe that developing the young to excel in the arts should not be confined to those whose families can afford it. Parkroyal Talent Quest is the ideal platform to extend opportunities to children from all walks of life to fulfill their dreams of performing on stage.”

Kids Performing, the competition organizer, is approaching children from 179 schools in Singapore and a selection of the best 24 entries will take part in the Semi-Finals on 31 May 2008. The top 12 of the Semi-Finals will compete in the Finals held during the school holidays on Friday 6 June 2008 at the UOB Plaza Atrium at Raffles Place.

The top three winners will each be awarded a one-year scholarship to train with JazzKids sponsored by Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts. The Grand Prize Winner will also be given a solo spot in JazzKids’ year-end annual concert, certainly an opportunity every budding performer aspires for.

All interested participants can download the application form at www.kidsperforming.com from April 2008.  Entries close on 22 May 2008.

Kids Performing Artistic Director, Kuo Po said, “We are delighted that Parkroyal Hotels & Resorts is continuing their partnership with JazzKids. Their strong support has provided JazzKids with an international platform to raise the awareness and profile of gifted youths in Singapore. We have been able to take our group overseas and showcase their talents to international audiences.”