Master and students impress with ‘Angel’

Sri Lanka’s first-ever telethon was live streamed to the world, from the Nelum Pokuna open-air theatre, in Colombo, last month, and the event did give an opportunity for many local performers to showcase their capabilities.

‘Arise Sri Lanka’ also brought into the limelight the versatility of the students of the Riversheen Music School, where Melantha Perera does the needful.

Melantha has been around for decades – playing keyboards, and singing.

I guess most would remember him as a member of the group Mirage, and the days of the Margarita Blue nightclub, at the Galadari Hotel.

Melantha was seen at ‘Arise Sri Lanka,’ singing the Shaggy hit song ‘Angel.’ And, he had for company students from his Riversheen Music School.

According to Melantha, it was a great honour for him and his students to be a part of ‘Arise Sri Lanka.’

“I must say I was privileged to get my students to join me in this spectacular happening. As a teacher, I always look up to the experience they gain at Riversheen.

“I could say this is my degree that I offer my students – not only in learning the subject but to go beyond…guiding them to the stage where I can sit and relax, knowing that I have completed the cycle of my teaching.

“Except for one student (Pawani), all the others were new to such a mega scene and I’m so glad they handled it like true professionals.”

Melantha went on to say that for the past five years, students have been his priority…”and I’m more than happy nurturing them, into big time musicians/performers.

“I believe this could be the first time that students went on stage, with their master, on a live performance, where the whole world was watching.

“Yes, the master and the student/s have to be spot on, but I take all those risks, and I’m thrilled with the final results, and the feedback.”