2024-2026 Recap
In 2024 to 2026, Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu, Sabah (SPArKS) experienced another momentous chapter as we continued to SEE (Support, Educate, and Elevate) performing arts grow in Kota Kinabalu!
From more intimate events such as Tapestries: Piano Recital by Sophia Lim, to meaningful initiatives like Sounds for the Ocean, a fundraising event that brought together music and coral conservation – SPArKS remains committed to create platforms for artists and audiences alike.
The period culminated in the presentation of our latest production, Carnival of the Animals, making this our most active and ambitious chapter yet!
(1) 2024 Biennial General Meeting
We kicked off the term with the 2024 Biennial General Meeting on 21st March and elected our new committee for the term. May Ng as outgoing President presided over the meeting and reported on the successful events of the term 2022-2024 including a great comeback in the field of performing arts after a quiet pandemic time.
Incoming President Jasmine Leong and her new executive committee aims to continue advocating for performing arts in KK through education, creating opportunities and awareness.
(2) A Peak Into The Garden
On 31st March 2024 we attended A Peek Into the Garden, a mini concert presented by Kinabalu Flute Centre & Flutes In The Taman!
Held at BICAM (Borneo International Centre for Arbitration and Mediation), SICC, it was an afternoon full of fluteful events, that started with a flute workshop and a sharing session of managing performance anxiety.
Featured flutists: Wong Xue Fen, Lawrence Chiu, Foo Chie Haur, Kenneth Chia, Alwin Wong, and Yong Ching Ting.
(3) Robin Hood by Kinabalu International School
We supported Kinabalu International School’s very “tongue-in-cheek” retelling of the classic folklore tale ‘Robin Hood’, which was held on 6-7 June 2024.
(4) Sounds For The Ocean
Sounds For The Ocean was a special fundraising evening co-organised with our conservation partner Gaia One. Hosted at Stylo Rooftop Bar & Terrace at Kota Kinabalu Marriott Hotel on 13 July 2024, the evening brought together the performing arts and marine conservation for the betterment of our local community.
Guests enjoyed an elegant night of music, cocktails, canapés and a BBQ buffet dinner, with performances by ROGERWANG 3.3 and String Trio. Priced at RM500 per ticket, each contribution included the adoption of one coral to be planted at Sepanggar Island, while also supporting future performing arts initiatives by SPArKS. The event celebrated how the arts can play a meaningful role in environmental awareness and community engagement.
(5) Bayu Voice Collective Presents: A Voice Recital
We were proud to support and attend a very special voice recital organised by the Bayu Voice Collective, on 3 August 2024 at the Sabah Art Gallery.
It was a night of songs and opera presented by talented Sabahans, including Maryann Magdalena (soprano), Avelyn Chua (mezzo-soprano), Frederick Jhang (tenor), Gui Foo Chen (tenor), with Debbie Robben and Marcus Khoo on the piano.
(6) Tapestries: Piano Recital by Sophia Lim
Sophia Lim, a Sabahan solo pianist currently residing in London, conducted a 1-hour workshop on 25 August 2024 at the Tun Hamdan Mini Theater, Yayasan Sabah. Attended by 30 piano students, teachers and music enthusiasts, she shared her experience studying at the Royal College of Music, London, as well as life as a professional solo pianist who has performed in the UK, Spain and Malaysia. She also shared advice and tips on how to practice and deal with performance anxiety.
After the workshop, an audience of more than 100 people filled the theatre to watch Sophia perform pieces by various famous composers including Debussy, Godowsky and Schumann on the grand piano which included a piece by Schumann that was 30 minutes in length comprising of 18 short movements that are whimsical, eccentric and fiery.
(7) Resonating Echoes: by the Tshung Tsin Wind Symphony (TTWS)
On 14 September 2024, the TTWS organised a captivating showcase of music and symphonic artistry, with an exciting lineup of new compositions alongside some of their most cherished masterpieces.
The thoughtfully curated program this year is designed to captivate audiences of all ages, whether for longtime audiences or those experiencing their performances for the first time.
(8) KKIFF Fringe Event
We attended Kota Kinabalu Film Festival’s Fringe Event on 21 October 2024, at the Tanjung Aru State Library. In collaboration with the US Embassy, it was a workshop by AFS Filmmaker Julia Hoppock on imactful filmmaking: Creating Compelling Documentaries for Social Change.
(9) KKIFF 2024 Closing Film and Awards Night
On the 14 September 2024, KKIFF had a screening of the final film of the festival, Tegkang, a film based in Bario, Sarawak – and on the following night, the Awards Night to close the successful KKIFF! SPArKS has always been a great supporter of KKIFF and local films, and we hope to see the KKIFF grow to even greater heights, as the 15th edition of the film festival comes to a close!
(10) 3rd WACCM Malaysia Church Music Conference
We attended the 3rd WACCM Malaysia Church Music Conference held on 16 September 2024, where there was a 100-member combined church choir consisting of singers from various churches who performed a symphonic cantata – Mendelssohn, Symphonie No.2 “Hymn of Praise.”
(11) Science Film Festival 2024
The Science Film Festival 2024 kicked off in Kota Kinabalu on 7 November 2024 with a gathering of over 250 enthusiastic students and teachers from All Saints Anglican Academy, SM All Saints, SMK St Francis Convent and Kinabalu International School (KIS).
The event began with a warm welcome from Mr. Sam Gipson, Principal of Kinabalu International School. Inspiring speeches followed, delivered by Ms. Anna Veigel, Director of the Goethe-Institut, and Ms. Jasmine Leong from the Society of Performing Arts Kota Kinabalu (SPArKS). The festival was officially launched by Ms. Jude Day, Director of the Kota Kinabalu International Film Festival (KKIFF). Three captivating short films were screened which sparked lively post-screening discussions with the students. Adding to the excitement, Mr. Alastair Sim from Rolls-Royce took the stage to present the advanced technology behind the company’s combustion jet engines.
(12) Ballet by Nora presents: The Nutcracker
On 14-15 December 2024, we attended and supported a timeless Christmas production of The Nutcracker presented by Ballet by Nora, held at the Sabah Theological Seminary, Kota Kinabalu.
The audience was enchanted by the classical ballet’s playful charm and vibrant costumes. Congratulations to Ballet by Nora on their first full-length ballet production!
(13) 7th UBUNTU 2024
We were invited to attend the 7th UBUNTU 2024 recital at Dolphin Event Space on 28 December 2024, organised by Team Play With Dream in collaboration with Bel Vento Flute and Kinabalu Flute Centre.
(14) Lagu Kita Songwriting and Band Competition 2025
We had the incredible privilege to be a part of Sabah Unity in Diversity and Rotary Club of Kota Kinabalu’s Sabah Multicultural Songwriting and Band Competition, where we provided support by appointing members of the judging panel for the competition.
(15) Carnival Of The Animals 2025
On 17-18 October 2025, we presented our next production, Carnival of the Animals, at Auditorium JKKN Sabah. Inspired by the beloved suite by Camille Saint-Saëns, the production brought a whimsical musical forest to life through 14 charming movements performed by an ensemble of musicians from Malaysia and Singapore. Audiences followed Luna, a curious child who discovers a magical world where animals sing, dance and play – creating an enchanting experience for children, parents and visiting tourists alike.
The production was done in support of Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Kota Kinabalu (SPCAKK). Adding to the festive atmosphere, a “carnival before the carnival” was held outside the auditorium with food vendors, official merchandise and ice cream for audiences to enjoy. The event received overwhelming community support, culminating in three sold-out shows and over 1,500 in attendance!
