"Live your song; never give up and be the best that you can be!" This was the solid advice given by artiste, Chris Garcia, at the preparatory workshop for the ten (10) finalists of the Environmental Management Authority's (EMA's) Eco-Song competition on Tuesday November 3rd.

This mentoring workshop was designed to allow the finalists the opportunity to improve their overall performance for the Eco-Song Finals which will be held on November 11th, 2009 at the CLR James Auditorium at Cipriani College of Labour and Co-operative Studies. Also speaking at the EMA workshop, were Jervae Caesar, the 2009 Young Calypso King and Winsie-Ann Cuffie, singer/artiste and EMA Youth Ambassador.

The interactive session served as a performance review and assessment exercise with the judges of the competition. The artistes also engaged in a one-on-one mentoring session with the finalists who are from Forms One to Three of Barrackpore West Secondary School; Cowen Hamilton Secondary School; Holy Faith Convent - Couva; Parvati Girl's Hindu College; Pleasantville Secondary School; St. Anthony's College; Waterloo Secondary School; Belmont Boys' Secondary School; East Mucurapo Secondary School and Maple Leaf International School.

The artistes shared their on-stage experiences, tricks and tips to help the young performers improve their composition skills, preparations and overall on-stage performance. Caesar, who started singing at the age of four, reminded the audience that, "While voice, image and showmanship are important, the originality of the composition matters a great deal." He also urged the finalists to develop a sense of camaraderie, even though they are competitors.

Eighteen-year old Winsie-Ann Cuffie of Miracle Ministries High School also shared her expertise. Her tips included: engaging the audience, stage presence, strength and confidence, crowd dynamic, professionalism and excellence, body language, use of props and the importance of preparation/rehearsals.

Judges also took the time to go through the criteria such as Fluency, Clarity of Diction, Understanding your song, Intonation, Choice of key and Rhythmic Structure. Chief Judge of the Eco-Song competition and Environmental Programme Officer 1 at the EMA, Vivian Joseph, also gave a critical analysis of their compositions on this year's theme "Water, Life and the Environment".

The students concurred that the information conveyed will certainly enhance their performance at the finals. At the end of the workshop it was clear that all the artistes agreed on one thing, "Feel, Understand and Live your song!"

Inspired Audience: Finalists with their teachers and parents pay close attention to tips on enhancing stage performance.

Eco-Song Mentors: (L-R) Chris Garcia, Winsie-Ann Cuffie and Jervae Caesar at the EMA's Eco-Song Preparatory workshop for the Eco-Song Finalists.