MetroVan Independent News August 2015 | Page 12

12 MetroVanIndependent.com August 2015 lifestyle/entertainment The Star Experience Songwriting Competition for BC Teens By Luisa Marshall The first of its kind in British Columbia, Ria Jade, host of EveRIAthing TV show, unearthed musical empowerment and inspiration during the Star Experience event with a slight tinge of raising awareness on bullying, cyberbullying and other forms of abuse. The Star Experience Songwriting Competition paved the way for sixteen young talented teens who have the passion for writing music to finally unleash their hidden musical prowess. They were given an opportunity to share their talent on the Columbia Theater stage in New Westminster. The event was hosted by Ria Jade along with some very popular teen actors such as Dakota Daulby, Matreya Scarrwener & Mitchell Kummen. This is the very first year for The Star Experience Canada which has seen a highly talented array of young songwriters! Simply The Best TV correspondent Zenia Marshall interviewed first place winner Madison Bell on how important it is for young people to develop their musical skills. “I think it’s a really good way to release what you’re feeling a lot of times. A lot of people tend to bottle in their emotions and opinions on things but I think music kind of Best Song & Audience Favorite winner Alexis Lynn. "People always say that the future is in the hands of the youth and I think that if we can make a better world now we can make a better tomorrow,” - Ria Jade helps outlet that,” Bell said. “Never Fall” by the audience favorite winner Alexis Lynn won the Best Song. When asked what inspired her to write the winning song she said, “It’s about a multitude of experiences with boys and how it would be if I would fall for them but they wouldn’t feel the same way about me. At the end, there would be a lyric shift and it’s where my doubt was proven wrong and they fell for me as well.” The event started promptly at 6pm and ended at 9:30pm. The stunning Ria Jade was so proud of the successful event, “I guessed I just always wanted to help people since I was a kid, ever since I was just 5 or 6. I knew that my calling was to help in any way I could. And as a musician/ songwriter, I know how hard it is to make it in the music industry, it’s always like a struggling battle every day. So I first started meeting talents, and I wanted to help them get their stuff out then I met these humanitarians, I wanted to get their voices out there. I just wanted to help people. People always say that the future is in the hands of the youth and I think that if we can make a better world now we can make a better tomorrow,” Ria Jade explained. All of the major winners will have the opportunity to perform on the eveRIAthing TV show or any other Ria Jade major events. They will also be performing live during The Star Experience 2016 Finals set for next year. The Star Experience Canada 2015 winners of the free songwriting competition had a lot more to be happy about than just their placing. The Audience Favourite, along with the First and Second place winners, each received a 12-hour recording and music production package with established music producers. The Audience Favourite, Alexis Lynn, took home a prize package valued at over $5,000, while the First Place Photos by Diones Lago First Place winner Madison Bell. winner, Madison Bell, took the grand prize valued at over $6,000! An added special highlight to the event was the inspirational message by well-known anti-bullying advocate Carol Todd, founder of the Amanda Todd Legacy Society. She also presented the 2015 Inspiring Youth Awards. All in all, it was a heartfelt and very meaningful event. Congratulations to the Diy family (Jackie & Raffy and their daughters Deanne and Ria Jade). The star is bright for this event which indeed promoted music and inspiration to the youth in its true essence and hopefully after the successful Saturday night, there will be more Star Experience songwriting competition in years to come. The Star Experience Canada 2015 winners