Mishela Rapo: “I invite all children to dance and sing with me because music knows no bounds” (Interview – JESC 2015 Albania)

ESC+Plus brings you another Junior Eurovision interview! This time, we have talked to the Albanian representative Mishela Rapo.

#Discover what she told us below:

Hello Mishela! First of all, congratulations on having been the winner of “Festivali 51 i femijeve” 2015!

E+: How did you feel when you were named the winner of “Festivali i femijeve”? Did you expect such an awesome ending?

I had already competed at the Junior Fest Albania 2012 with the song “Mamma mia te amo”, when Albania participated at JESC for the first time. It was not the first time for me winning a festival, but this time it was different. It was surprising and I also felt so good. I felt so good to be rewarded after all the hard work. It was the start of something great. It was a challenge to myself to convey as well as I could my song to the public. Now, I have a big responsibility because it is not “my” song any more, it is our song and I have to do my best to represent Albania worthily.

E+: How did you prepare your performance at “Festivali 51 i femijeve”? How did you spend the weeks before the final?

During the weeks before final I was working hard doing rehearsals. I prepared the performance with the director Klaudia Hila and the choreographer Fatjon Sulstarova.

E+: Tell us what your song is about. What is the thing you like the most of “Dambaje”?

I like the most the rhythm of the song and the lyrics. My song has a great message “Love and peace all over the world”. It invites all the children of the world to dance and sing together, having harmony among each other because music unites us.

E+: Will you revamp the song for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest or you will keep the original version?

I don’t really know what to say about this, but the version on YouTube is a bit noisy due to the equipments. I think we’ll work on this.

E+: Are you planning to shoot an official video clip to introduce your song “Dambaje”?

I don’t think I have an answer about this right now, because we are still waiting for a confirmation.

E+: It is too soon maybe, but have you already decided about how your stage performance will look like? How about the costume?

I’m waiting for any good idea from the organizers here in Albania. I hope the best.

E+: What do you expect from the upcoming experience at Junior Eurovision? What do you think it will mean for your musical career?

I am considering it as another competition/challenge but this time more important. I hope it will have a good influence on my musical career.

E+: Do you usually watch the senior Eurovision? Do you see yourself in the competition in the future?

I think it would be great to have the honour to step one day on that majestic stage. It is a singer’s dream nowadays, and sure it is mine too.

E+: If you had to choose an Albanian singer to compete at Eurovision, what would be your choice?

If I had to choose, perhaps it would be Elhaida Dani. I was hoping her amazing voice would be appreciated in the right way, but unfortunately nothing like this happened. However, in the ESC not only the voice matters, but also the song so without doubts I would choose the compositor of my song Adrian Hila, who has been a part of the ESC three times already.

E+: Tell us more about yourself, your favourite music style, favourite school subject, hobbies, musical career….

I don’t really have a “favourite” music genre, but if I had to choose that would be pop. I’m great at Biology at school. My hobbies include singing, playing guitar and piano, learning foreign languages, etc. My music career started when I was eight years old. I’ve been performing in many different stages so far, including national and international, for example in Turkey, Australia, and Albania. I’d like to see my road so far in two different aspects:
“Gjeniu i vogel”, as talent show where I reached the final. Then, I grew up in many other stages, always bringing something new, enriching the kids’ song repertory by participating in children festivals.

E+: What do you feel while singing on stage? Do you have any lucky charm you carry during your performances?

First of all, I’ve got no negative thoughts, and that matters a lot. I make sure I give my best. I like to consider me and my song as a single soul duelling in a body and a script.

E+: If you had the chance, which singer would you choose to sing in a duet with?

My choice would be Aurela Gace because of the great energy and emotions she conveys to the public. We have something in common: both representatives of Albania at the ESC.

E+: If you could be invisible for a day what would you do?

I would turn into a rainbow so all the children of the world would be happy and smiling.

E+: Can you send a message for our readers and Junior Eurovision fans?

I have five children songs with the signature of Adrian Hila and they all have beautiful and enduring messages. I want to bring in “Dambaje” to Bulgaria, so I invite them all to dance and sing with me because music knows no bounds. Thank you.

Thank you very much for your time and see you in Sofia!

Mishela Rapo will represent Albania at Junior Eurovision 2015 with the song “Dambaje” after winning “Festivali 51 i femijeve”.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vbmfu0VFnI

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