Young stars shine on global stages, celebrating Sarawak pride

Borneo Post

4 days ago

Taylor performing at the Sanremo Junior World Finals in Italy.
KUCHING (July 22): Being Sarawakian is more than just a matter of birthplace – it is a deep sense of belonging, identity, and resilience that unites people across generations and cultures.
Whether in the kampung or on the international stage, that quiet confidence and pride in our roots is unmistakable – and this pride is felt most keenly as Sarawak celebrates its momentous Sarawak Day.
This year, The Borneo Post turns the spotlight on a new generation of Sarawakians making waves far beyond our shores.
Each of them carries the soul of Sarawak wherever they go, reminding the world that talent nurtured in our hills and valleys can shine just as brightly on global stages.
We asked them what 'Sarawak pride' means to them.
A Voice for the Nation: Taylor Louise
Eleven-year-old singing sensation Taylor Louise, who grew up in Kuching, has never been shy about where she comes from.
'To me, Sarawak pride means embracing who we are – our roots, our culture, our people – with love and gratitude. It's about being proud of where we come from and showing the world that even from a small place like Sarawak, big dreams can grow.
'On Sarawak Day, I feel extra thankful to belong to a state that's rich in diversity, kindness, and creativity,' she said.
Taylor's multicultural heritage – with roots in Chinese, Baba Nyonya, Bidayuh, Malay, and Iban ancestry – deeply informs her artistry.
'I've grown up celebrating everything – Chinese New Year, Gawai, Hari Raya, Christmas – all in one joyful and beautiful year! This unique mix has helped me appreciate the richness of Sarawak's culture, and even when I perform in other countries, I always try to bring a piece of home with me,' she shared.
One of her proudest moments was performing at the world finals of Sanremo Junior in Italy earlier this year.
'Before my performance, the Malaysian flag was displayed, and a video of my hometown, Kuching, played on the screen. It was such a special feeling to be able to share the beauty of where I come from – our culture, our people, and the place I'm blessed to call home. That moment wasn't just about me; it felt like a celebration of Sarawak,' she recalled.
She is set to make her national musical theatre debut this August as the youngest cast member of Dreamweaver The Musical – Sarawak's first original English-language musical – at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre (PJPAC), 1 Utama.
'In Dreamweaver, I'm honoured to play a character that represents the voice, hopes, and spirit of Sarawak's children. Through this captivating musical journey – which celebrates tradition, resilience, and the incredible craftsmanship of our weavers – I feel like I'm using my voice not just to perform, but to help tell a story that uplifts our community,' she said.
Wherever she goes, she brings a piece of home with her.
'During international competitions, I often bring along Sarawakian souvenirs and keychains to give to people I meet – small gifts that carry a big piece of home. One moment I'll never forget was when I proudly raised my country's flag during a parade overseas.
'Whether I'm performing, posting, or just connecting with others, I do my best to let the spirit of Sarawak shine wherever I go,' she said.
SJ Borneo perform at the World Championship International Competition Grand Finals in Thailand.
SJ Borneo: Siblings in Harmony
Sibling duo SJ Borneo – Shawn and Jane Thien, who are 15 and 12 years old respectively – are redefining what it means to represent Sarawak on the international music scene.
'Sarawak pride means carrying our identity with confidence, wherever we go. It's about honouring our roots while sharing our music and culture with the world,' they said.
Winners of the Gold 3rd Prize at the 2025 World Championship International Competition in Bangkok, the siblings took the stage wearing traditional costumes, playing the Sape and djembe.
'Our music is deeply influenced by our heritage – from the Sape' to the stories of our elders,' they shared.
'In every performance, we blend local languages, Malay, Chinese, and English. We choose songs that reflect kampung life, unity, and identity. Even in modern stages or settings, we bring Sarawak with us through our costumes, rhythms, and messages.'
They hope their work encourages others to begin where they are.
'Don't be afraid to be different. Don't wait for the perfect moment, start with what you have and keep growing. You don't need to leave Sarawak to make a difference. Instead, bring Sarawak to the world,' they advised.
Baptista with his father, Korintus Leban, during a photo call at his performance at RWMF 2025.
Baptista Emmanuell Korintus: Strings of Heritage
At just 10 years old, Baptista Emmanuell Korintus from Belaga is already a cultural ambassador for his community – the Sekapan, a sub ethnic group of the Orang Ulu.
The youngest sape player ever to perform on the main stage of the Rainforest World Music Festival (RWMF), he also clinched a Silver Medal at the Malaysia Championship of Performing Arts 2025 – earning him a spot to represent Malaysia at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Long Beach, California this month.
However, due to current safety concerns, the Malaysian team has decided to postpone its participation.
'I am proud to be a Sarawakian because people of diverse cultures, ethnicities, and religions can live together in peace and harmony in our beloved homeland, Sarawak,' said Baptista.
What makes Baptista's journey even more remarkable is his determination to shining a light on his Sekapan heritage.
'I come from the Sekapan ethnic group, a minority in Sarawak that many Sarawakians themselves are unaware of.
'Through my skill in playing the Orang Ulu sape in competitions and performances, I have the opportunity to serve as a young ambassador in introducing the Sekapan people to the wider public,' he said.
His performances are infused with a deep sense of humility, inspired by the Sekapan phrase 'Ngelotak Danum', which echoes the Malay proverb 'Biar ikut resmi padi, makin berisi makin tunduk' (be like the rice stalk, it bends lower as it is laden with ripening grains).
For Baptista, success in any field begins with passion – but it must be supported by hard work, prayer, and the willingness to sacrifice both time and money to reach the desired level.
'I hope the sape will continue to be recognised as a traditional musical instrument of the Orang Ulu in Sarawak.
'My goal is to expand teaching methods so that more young people my age can discover and learn to play the sape, ensuring this cultural heritage is not lost to time,' he said.
Dion performing at the Dance World Cup World Finals in Burgos, Spain, in a piece inspired by the traditional Ngajat Iban and Sarawak's iconic birds — the Burung Ruai (Great Argus) and the Kenyalang Hornbill.
Dion Das Louis: Little Birdie with big dreams
Dion Das Louis, fondly known as the 'Little Bornean Birdie', soars high as a proud Sarawakian.
At just nine years old, he has already made his mark on some of the world's biggest stages – including the 2024 WCOPA in the United States and the 2025 Dance World Cup Finals in Spain, where he outshone 34 international competitors to bring home a silver medal.
'Sarawak pride, for me, is being grateful to be born as an anak Dayak Sarawak – to embrace one's heritage and identity amidst the rich diversity of cultures and traditions, while living in harmony with other ethnicities in the state,' said Dion.
He proudly carries his Dayak Iban identity with him wherever he goes – through his costumes, music, and performance themes.
'When people find out I'm from Borneo, Sarawak, they often associate it with beautiful people and rich culture. They love our traditional costumes, and I always receive compliments from them.
'I wish more people would learn about the diverse ethnic cultures and traditions we have, so they can truly experience the beauty of Sarawak,' he said.
Dion believes in preserving and promoting culture through performance, intentionally weaving Sarawak elements into his dance, costumes and music.
His goal is to serve as an ambassador for the performing arts and inspire young people to appreciate and uphold the importance of preserving their cultural traditions.
As a young Sarawakian, Dion's message to others who wish to follow a similar path is simple: believe in yourself.
'Never give up, always do your best by working hard – and most importantly, never forget your roots and heritage,' he said.
Ryan and Aleysha proudly don traditional Sarawakian attire while holding the Sarawak flag, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of their homeland.
Aleysha and Ryan Zachary: Twin Voices of Sarawak
Twelve-year-old twins Aleysha and Ryan Zachary Shareef Van Der Horst are already veteran performers, having competed at the 2024 WCOPA Grand Final in the United States alongside only a handful of Malaysians.
'Whenever we perform overseas, we're always proud to say we're from Sarawak,' said Aleysha.
'People often get confused between Sarawak and Malaysia, so we make sure to explain we're from this very special place.'
The duo – half Bidayuh, half Malay – grew up in a household that nurtured their love for music from a young age.
Enrolled in vocal and music classes since they were five, Aleysha now sings and plays piano, while Ryan sings and plays guitar.
Their mother, Shirley Hasmani Eddie, who accompanies them to every competition, stressed the importance of early exposure.
'If your children love this industry, support them. Send them to competitions. Don't just say 'no need lah'. It's tiring, yes, but if you don't start young, the talent pool will always be small,' she said.
For Aleysha, composing songs is a cherished dream. Inspired by artists like Taylor Swift and Alicia Keys, she hopes to one day write her own songs and perform them on the piano.
'My proudest moment was receiving a scholarship from the New York Film Academy after winning a gold medal at the 2024 WCOPA.
'I'm very proud to be a Sarawakian. I hope that through my performances, people around the world will learn more about Sarawak – its unique culture, traditions, and what makes it so special,' she said.
Ryan echoed his twin's sentiments.
'Performing in the WCOPA Grand Final was one of my proudest moments.
'I want to spread the word about Sarawak — how great it is, what our cultures are like, and how amazing the food is,' he said.
Their mother believes that their identity as twins is a unique strength.
'There are many sibling acts, but not many twin performers. That's their brand. They want to go international — and bring Sarawak with them,' she said.
Despite their diverse talents, what binds Taylor, SJ Borneo, Baptista, Dion, Aleysha and Ryan together is a deep-rooted pride in where they come from.
Whether through music, dance, language, or storytelling, each of them is a living testament to the spirit of Sarawak — one that embraces unity in diversity, humility in strength, and courage in dreams. entertainment lead music performance sarawak day young stars