Dubai band of musicians heads to Hollywood for WCOPA international competition

A group of multinational musicians from Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), going to Hollywood, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, to perform at an international competition.

The band from Dubai will perform at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA), a competition for Performing Artists held every year around the Hollywood Industry. 

The 13-member band, aged between 9 and 37, will perform at WCOPA finals, which will be held in Anaheim, California, starting from July 28.

The World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California, is one of the main events for aspiring artists.

A 9-year-old pianist Santino Antonini is the youngest member of the group. He hails from Argentina. He told the Khaleej Times, “I started playing the piano only a year ago, and this will be my first performance on a stage. I am nervous but also excited.”

Elipas Sibua, a music teacher who has been the national director for the United Arab Emirates Team for five years, will guide the team to the competition. He has been associated with different chapters of WCOPA for the last 8 years.

Last year, Elipas Sibua’s students brought home gold, silver and bronze medals. He expressed happiness over the Dubai band of musicians participation in the event. 

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Elipas Sibua reportedly said, “Most of these musicians play on small stages, and their opportunities are quite limited. I love polishing their talents and bringing out the best in them. Each one has its own strengths.” Elipas Sibua said that some members faced certain problems while practicing.

Elipas Sibua has revealed that one member of the group travels from Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, to Dubai, by bus every week for the practice. Another member travels from Fujairah, the capital of the emirate of Fujairah. Another delegate tries to balance his corporate job and band practice.