The Launching of Ernie's Single

Hey guys!

Have you heard about the newly born star, Ernie Shaheerah? I believe some might have known her but some may not have heard about her. Anyway, a brief one. She is a talented local singer who can sing in 3 different languages which are Bahasa Malaysia, English and Mandarin. How cool is that? 1Malaysia mah!

Anyway, she debuted her single last week and it had a great response from the public.Lets just hope that Ernie's career as a singer will rise up and make us proud as a Malaysian! :)

Ernie Shaheerah - Turning a dream into reality 

Below is the press release write-up:

CYBERJAYA, 3 March, 2011— A soaring musical career, deafening applause from the crowd wanting an encore, launching her debut single – the world of music stardom has always enthralled Nurul Ernie Shaheerah Zulkifli, better known as Ernie. 

Today, this 25-year old from Klang is on the way to making her dream a reality. The debut of her first single (including two bonus tracks), Ernie Shaheerah: My Only One, marks an important milestone in her singing career, and she’s on top of the world about the opportunities that will result from this launch. 

The inspiring journey 

Ernie Shaheerah does not suffer from false modesty when asked how or when she knew she could carry a tune. 

“It’s natural – I started singing when I was 5-years-old!” she grins. “I was always breaking into a song no matter how I was feeling on a particular day. 

“Music was my constant companion as a child, and as I grew up, it became the one thing that always helped me deal with all kinds of challenges.” 

Unlike many young people on the brink of adulthood unsure of what they want to study at university, when Ernie Shaheerah completed her Form Five, she knew exactly what her next step was. 

“There was never a doubt in my mind about what I had to do,” she says earnestly. “I knew a music career would be extremely challenging, but this is who I am, and I was determined to give it my all and leave the future to God.” 

Braving the odds 

It didn’t take long for the first challenge to surface. 

Ernie’s parents were none too happy about her choice of career. Like all well-meaning parents, they were worried that there was no future in a music career, and they were only trying to protect their beloved daughter from disappointment. 

“It was not easy to make my parents accept the fact that I wanted to be a singer. I knew I had to somehow prove to them that I was sure of my ability to succeed in the music industry”, she admits. 

Her parents’ concern, although daunting, did not stop this determined young lady from pushing through with her plans. Taking a rational approach to her situation, she calmly explains: 

“I’ve got one rule – I can’t expect anybody to understand me fully. All I can do is show my parents that this is what I want, and to prove to them I am determined by my discipline, work ethic and my commitment. I clung on to the hope that they would understand and share my passion one day.” 

Laying the foundation for success 

Her amazing determination soon won over her parents’ hearts – they saw her passion and commitment and eventually gave in and became her biggest supporters and fans. 

But Ernie Shaheerah wanted them to also know that she understood their concerns, so she signed up for foundation studies in music at Akademi Seni Kebangsaan (Aswara) in Padang Merbok, Kuala Lumpur. 

Armed with the basics, Ernie Shaheerah took up the Diploma in Sound and Music Technology at Limkokwing University of Creative Technology in 2006. This proved to be a key decision on her part, for it quickly became clear that the University was to be her training ground not just for a diploma, but for her music career. 

Her talent was quickly noticed and she was soon headlining music performances by the University’s choir; to date, she has performed in more than 150 events, including the opening of Limkokwing’s campus in London in October 2007. 

Malaysians will also recognize her as the lead female vocal in ‘1malaysia’ and ‘Malaysia Inovatif’ which are being aired both on radio and television. 

“They designed my path and gave me the opportunity to perform in front of international crowds”, she enthused. 

Her impressive performances earned Ernie Shaheerah a scholarship to continue her studies at the University from her 2nd year onwards. 

Dreams taking flight 

Following her graduation in 2009, Ernie Shaheerah’s relationship with the University was solidified even further when she was offered the position of choir conductor and talent hunter at the University. 

And clichéd as it may sound, the rest is history. 

The University’s President Tan Sri Lim Kok Wing signed her on to be the first solo act to be launched as an artiste under the Sound and Music Academy’s record label. 

Ernie Shaheerah: My Only One contains three songs, in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin, respectively. It was definitely a labour of love by Ernie Shaheerah and the dedicated people at the Sound & Music Design Academy. 

Songs about life – in 3 languages! 

Ernie Shaheerah’s singles are a true testament to the 1Malaysia spirit – there is a song each in English, Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin. 

“I was thrilled to be able to record three songs in the different languages”, says Ernie. 

“I’m reaching out to all Malaysians and humbled to be able to use my music to reflect the true Malaysian spirit.” 

Describing the single’s genre, she says it is pop rock – with love as the central theme of all three songs. The single, she adds, is a labour of love by the University’s Sound and Music Academy team. 

“The pop genre and love themes are something that both the young and the old can relate to”, she explains. 

The Mandarin song, Fairytale, is all about perfect love found in a perfect life, something that every teenager dreams about, and Semalam Kan Hilang tells the true story of a young girl who was brutally killed by a group of men. It raises questions on humanity, and makes us ponder on love that should be shared among human beings. 

“It is not about fame and fortune” 

Ernie Shaheerah is positive that she has what it takes to be in the spotlight. Although she has a laidback personality, her steely determination is obvious: 

“I know fame and fortune comes with this line of work, but I also know that it can be fleeting, so I’m focusing on what really matters which is perfecting my art.” 

“I’m now at a different level, it’s a different world. I have gained more exposure. I’m ready to take on anything that comes my way”, says Ernie Shaheerah, exuding a calm confidence that belies her age. 

Motivated by Malaysia’s icon 

As with all aspiring young artistes on the brink of a big break, Ernie Shaheerah looks to heavyweights in the music industry for inspiration. For her, the celebrity that captivated her most and inspired her work is none other than Malaysia’s reigning queen, Dato’ Siti Nurhaliza Tarudin, an industry advisor with Limkokwing University. For Ernie Shaheerah, there is no other quite like her. 

“There is only one Siti. She is an icon for all Malaysian women and I hope to become like her”, she says, eyes sparkling with admiration for her idol. 

Reaching the masses 

Ernie Shaheerah’s single will be available on Limkokwing University’s website (http://www.limkokwing.net) and downloadable from Erama.tv (http://www.erama.tv/). You can also view the video of her first single, My Only One, on Youtube (http://www.youtube.com/). 

Far from being a starry-eyed performer with no substance, hungry only for celebrity status and legions of adoring fans, Ernie is adamant to grow as an individual in her quest for success.

.: Peace Out :.