Singapore’s jazz songbird Rani Singam may not be at the first-ever Project Happy Feet Slipper Race, but she has sent her blessings to the underprivileged children supported by Project Happy Feet by making a donation.
The lawyer-turned-jazz singer, who started her career in music since 2002, will be releasing her second album at concerts held on 16 & 17 November 2011 at the Esplanade Recital Studio. Titled “Contentment“, the album was produced with Kerong Chok, and follows hot on the heels of her debut album, “With A Song In My Heart”, which was produced by Jeremy Monteiro in 2004.
When asked what prompted her to make a contribution, the mother of two boys, aged 3 and 10 believes that Project Happy Feet is championing a wonderful cause. “I wanted to contribute in some way since I am unable to participate at the event on the day itself.”
Rani’s contribution will go towards the $150,000 Project Happy Feet is attempting to raise through Project Happy Feet Slipper Race. 100% of registration fees and donations will be channeled directly to organisations that support education and training for underprivileged children.
“Education is THE key,” says the singer who performed in Phnom Penh in 2007 and Sri Lanka this year to fund-raise for charitable causes. “I strongly believe it is the only way for anyone to get out of the poverty cycle. The empowerment one gets from education is the most liberating, and so I support PHF’s mission.”
“I think we all understand that education is an intrinsic good. However, I have also heard of the saying ‘Don’t let school interfere with your education!’. I believe education is not just about formal learning. True education is about learning from everywhere in life, from life itself, from critical thinking and application of the many theories and principles. We know of many people who have succeeded without a university degree or who are more successful than those who have acquired PhDs. One of the most inspiring figures of this century, the late Steve Jobs, founder of Apple, is an example of how a college drop-out never stopped learning when he continued to attend classes as a drop-in.”
Rani’s latest album is named after one of the songs “Contentment” in the album, which is a song about empowerment, living a life of passion without fear or doubt, living beyond just contentment.
“It is partly auto-biographical, about how I chose to switch careers from being a lawyer to a singer. The song is about how ‘everything turns into gold’ when we live an authentic life led by our true selves. Perhaps this song could be some form of inspiration to young people who are figuring out their path in life or for someone who is seeking change?”
Project Happy Feet thanks Rani for your generousity, and wishes her all the very best for her upcoming concert.
