The World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) 2024, often dubbed the “Talent Olympics,” concluded with spectacular success for several UAE representatives. Held from June 28 to July 7, 2024, in Anaheim, California, the event featured participants from over 70 countries competing in various categories including singing, dancing, acting, modeling, instrumental music, and variety arts.
This year, WCOPA 2024 included a Parade of Nations, a Worldstars Boot Camp, and a global webcast where the Grand Champions were selected. The event offered participants a chance to win medals, trophies, scholarships, and other prizes totaling over $700,000. Highlights included educational seminars and workshops by industry experts, providing contestants with invaluable learning and networking opportunities.
Below are the notable winners, many of whom are Filipinos based in the UAE, whose parents are OFWs:
Elipas Sibua: Excellent Director of the Year
Pau Camarines: Best Choreographer of the Year
Craig Fernandez: Junior Grand Champion of the World in Instrumental
Peter Rosalita achieved an impressive haul of medals:
- Junior Grand Finalist – Gold Medal
- Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Vocal Broadway, Vocal Gospel, Vocal Open, Vocal Opera, Vocal Rock
- Silver in Vocal Pop, Vocal Jazz
- Division Champion in Rock
Zairah Alexine Ragat also stood out:
- Junior Grand Finalist – Gold Medal
- Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Vocal Gospel, Vocal Self Accompaniment – Broadway
- Silver in Modeling Formal
- Division Champion in Vocals with Self Accompaniment in Broadway
Micaelyn Coelho‘s achievements included:
- Junior Grand Finalist – Gold Medal
- Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Vocal Jazz
- Silver in Vocal Broadway, Vocal Country, Vocal Open, Vocal Pop, Casual Modeling, Formal Modeling
Martinus Miguel garnered multiple awards:
- Junior Grand Finalist – Gold Medal
- Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Vocal R&B Soul Jazz, Gospel with Self Accompaniment, Vocal Contemporary, Vocal Gospel
- Silver in Instrumental Open, KEM Trio Contemporary
- Bronze in Vocal Open
- Division Champion in Gospel with Self Accompaniment
Lexus and Alexa Castillo of “The Castle”:
- Junior Grand Finalist – Gold Medal
- Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Dance Hip Hop, Dance Open
- Silver in Modeling Photo
- Division Champion in Dance Hip Hop
John Paul Alviz excelled in piano:
- Senior Grand Finalist – Gold Medal
- Gold in Classical Piano, Jazz Piano, Open Piano, Contemporary Piano
- Division Champion in Piano Contemporary, Classical, Jazz Piano, Open Piano
Erinne Lopez‘s accolades included:
- Junior Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Vocal with Self Accompaniment (Pop), Vocal (Pop), Vocal (Rock), Vocal (Open)
- Silver in Vocal Contemporary, Vocal Group (Pop) KEM Trio
- Divisional Champion in Vocal Contemporary, Vocal with Self Accompaniment Open
Keer Wang stood out in multiple categories:
- Junior Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Vocals Open, Piano Instrumental Jazz, Piano Instrumental Open
- Silver in Piano Instrumental Classical, Dance Contemporary
- Bronze in Dance Open
- Division Champion in Piano Open
Marc Samuel Antillion and Khalifa Budiarsya both secured multiple medals in vocal categories.
Rania Tahiri achieved:
- Senior Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Silver in Vocal Original Works
- Bronze in Acting Open, Acting Contemporary
- Scholarship for Summer Intensive Program at New York Conservatory for Dramatic Art ($1,000)
- Division Champion for Acting Open
Kadek Rasmawan‘s achievements included:
- Senior Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Guitar Contemporary, Guitar Jazz
- Silver in Guitar Open
Mother and Son duo excelled with:
- Semi Finalist – Silver Medal
- Gold in Gospel, Original Works, Open, Opera, Broadway
- Silver in Pop, Country
- Division Champion in Opera, Broadway
Jerusha Dsouza received a significant scholarship and multiple medals:
- $15,000 Scholarship from New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts
- $1,500 Music Consultation with Jeff Webber
- Gold in Vocal Gospel, Vocal Open, Vocal Country, Vocal Pop
- Silver in Vocal Broadway, Vocal Jazz, Vocal Contemporary
- Bronze in Vocal World
- Division Champion in Vocals Open, Vocal Jazz
- Vedha Arun Nair and Patrick Morales also secured multiple medals in various vocal categories.