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3 Editorial Defying Gravity through music!
Top shared from Insite’s #HumansOfUoM
Vacancies by KONNEKT : HR Intern (Paid) A Voice for the Voiceless
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editorial March is over as well and spring is here! Hoping for more sunshine and blue skies, we are giving you yet another issue of The Insiter Online to read while soaking in that pure sunlight on quad or in one of university’s lovely green areas. Start by reading Sarah Cassar Dymond’s interview with young student singer Cristian Spiteri and then move on to some of our favourite #HumansOfUoM snapshots since the birth of the project. If you’re currently looking for a job experience, make sure to take a look at the latest opportunity for students kindly provided by KONNEKT. Finally read Kristina Saliba’s heartfelt article about the importance of giving a voice to animals. Enjoy those sunny days!
Nicole Borg Executive Editor
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editorial
Defying Gravity through music! Sarah Cassar Dymond
Do you love music? Want to learn about a young and upcoming Maltese singer? Then make sure to take a look at this interview with Cristian Spiteri, who recently released a cover of Defying Gravity from the famous musical Wicked. Q1. What made you want to start singing? My mom always says that she remembers me singing and dancing as young as the age of three, wearing earphones plugged into a Walkman and having the time of my life. As an adult, however, I started wanting to sing when I was exposed to musicals, both in theatre and movies, and also Glee.
Menzel’s talent, especially in Rent and Wicked. Lady Gaga would be good too!
Q3. You recorded your first cover- Defying gravity from the musical Wicked. What inspired you to cover this particular song? If you had asked anyone who knows me what song I’d be covering if I were to start singing, most of them would probably tell you Defying Q2. If you are given a chance to sing with any Gravity. Of course, I think it’s a beautiful song. artist, who would it be? I could also probably tell you that I relate to the Local artist - Ira Losco. Foreign - Idina Menzel message of the song, yet that feels like such a or Aaron Tveit. I’ve always appreciated Idina default response. I think that anyone who has ever felt shame about who they are, and went through a great deal of suffering to eventually come to terms with themselves, can relate to Defying Gravity’s theme. I connected with the song’s message at various points in my life, mostly because I am a member of the LGBTIQ community and I remember how difficult it was for me to come to 4
terms with my sexuality about seven years ago, and also because of my decision to break away from other people’s expectations of me. Also, I enjoy belting.
Q7. Did you ever take part in a singing competition? If no, are you aspiring to take part? I have never taken part in a singing competition, yet. I would definitely consider taking part in a singing competition like “The Voice”, but the idea also scares me. A part of me is afraid of people’s reaction to seeing me up there, having a “What is HE doing up there?” moment as they see me on stage. I understand that I shouldn’t let that hold me back, though.
Q4. How do you prepare to sing such a song? I keep myself well hydrated, that’s always important. However, for me, it’s not about doing some vocal exercises before I start singing. It’s more about the long-term training, building the range, having adequate breath support, and being able to connect to the feelings of the song as I sing it. I owe special thanks to my vocal Q8. What kind of music do you like to listen to? coach, Phyllisienne, for this department. I generally listen to CDs of my favourite musicals, like Rent, Wicked, etc. I also enjoy Q5. Apart from singing, do you know how to video game music. Generally, though, I’ll listen play any instrument? to what’s on the radio. I tend to enjoy movie I can play the keyboard. soundtracks as well. I remember enjoying the soundtrack from the first Fifty Shades movie, Q6. What are your fondest musical memories but I haven’t listened to the soundtrack from so far? the sequel yet. Lately, I was cast in a movie which was shot in Malta and in London, so I was flown over there Q9. Any plans for the near future? Are you for the shooting of some scenes. I was fortunate preparing to record another cover? enough to get some days off, so I went to watch Yes! I am very passionate about Japanese video some productions I had been dying to see. I games, and one of my dreams is to do voice overs watched Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Wicked, and for such games. I’m in the process of setting up went on a tour of The London Dungeons. a recording studio at home, and I audition for some parts online. So far, I’ve gotten one small Wicked was absolutely spellbinding. I had hoped role in an indie game that will be released later to see Rachel Tucker as Elphaba (the lead role), this year. I have taken part in a competition as it was her last month of playing Elphaba in organised by one of my favourite voice-over London, but it turned out she was not there artists, Sean Chiplock, and I won a new signed on that day. The understudy, however, was so Nintendo Switch. amazing that I quickly got over this, and I’m incredibly grateful for the experience. I stood I’m also going to audition at an acting school up and clapped after all of her songs, and the in London because I would love to be a stage whole crowd joined me in standing ovations. actor and performer. I still have some doubts I was also blown away by how beautiful and fears about this, however. I don’t have the Apollo Victoria Theatre is. I remember any plans to record any other cover right now, watching “Beauty and The Beast” at UoM some although if I had to pick a song, I would love to years back, and I really loved that too! cover Kewkba.
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Entertainment
Top stories from Insite’s #HumansOfUoM One of Insite’s projects started by our very own CEO Johann Agius back in 2015 has been time and time again proving to be an inspiration to many students on campus. Such a project gives many students the opportunity to share some life insights as well as funny moments and vital experiences with their fellow peers, showing that after all we’re human.
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Suffering is part of life. So many people go through it, and I think it makes you the person you are. As much as I hate this bastard of a diseases that I have, and as much as I hate that I don’t get to live as long as my friends or my family, and I don’t get to see or experience certain things, I would still choose the life I live now because it’s meant for something bigger.
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Sam Pearson Photo by Johann Agius
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What is the biggest l
“The biggest lesson I ha There a lot of bad thin so I think it’s really im what you have an
Kurt S
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lifestyle Photo by Juan Ellul
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My biggest fear is realizing that I spent five years at University for nothing, because I won’t find something to do related to what I’m studying. But I’ve learnt a lot, so even if that day comes I don’t think I’ll regret it.
” Marie Claire Finger
Photo by siobhan vassallo
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My biggest fear? I have two. The first is ending up alone, having no one to relate to or to spend the rest of my life with. The second is not finding my purpose in life.”
lesson you’ve learnt?”
ave learnt is to be happy. ngs happening out there, mportant to be content of nd of who you are.
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Seguna
Photo by andrew mercieca
“Let me guess, are you studying psychology?” “Yes, but I’ve always felt the importance of asking questions about life’s worth.
” Karl Azzopardi 7
lifestyle
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vacancies
Job Reference Code: MT 9372/17 To apply, send your CV to career@konnekt.com or apply on www.konnekt.com 9
A Voice for the Voiceless Kristina Saliba
These last couple of weeks were quite difficult for me: I twisted my ankle and ended up not being able to walk properly and on top of that got a chest infection which made it even harder to concentrate on anything, and not to mention, that I had been stuck in bed with my husband taking care of me (ok I felt pampered, so cannot really complain about that part). In spite of all that, I felt blessed that I had two fur babies who kept me company and cheered me up when I was feeling very upset.
is this: all animals, of any type or breed, are amazing creatures and deserve to be loved. They are innocent and do not have a voice of their own but humans have a voice which is able to speak for them. There are pages on social media platforms showing love for their pet babies and the things we do for them so that they would be happy all throughout their lives.
As I go throughout the news and other social media apps, I end up reading articles which I do understand that what I mentioned is quite infuriate me covering animal abuse, poisoning personal, but the point that I am getting to of animals, or these lovely creatures being 10 opinion
injured and infected by used syringes carelessly lying around on the soil. WHY? Why are people so cruel? What is the purpose in killing innocent creatures that have never caused any harm to anyone? As I ask all these questions, I try to think what can be done in order to stop these people, or at least start to reduce all these incidents. An important thing to do is to speak to anyone you know who is harming animals and make sure to report if actions persist. Also, more awareness needs to be raised and the best setting for this is schools. Sending a spokesperson to schools and even at the work places could be a stepping stone towards educating the public and showing them the importance of caring for animals rather than finding ways to hurt them. We need to be the voice of the voiceless. We have to take care of these creatures who need love, care and attention.
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We need to be the voice of the voiceless. We have to take care of these creatures who need love, care and attention. “
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