New Music Videos From iShine SA's Shanna*

Round Up - Alexandra Snyman & 3 Flights Up

Season 2 has tackled some serious themes and also highlighted some incredible talent!!! We have had some great feedback from viewers!

A message like this that was sent to us really gives God all the glory:

"Thank you so much for the episode you did on failure. It feels like my prayers has finally been answered! Really needed to hear those words!! May God bless your show even more, as you are touching our lives with the messages you bring us. :) " - Geraldine

INTRODUCING THE BEAUTIFUL ALEXANDRA SNYMAN

Alexandra Snyman started her musical journey at theage of 8, entering both the National Eisteddfod and South African Championshipof Performing Arts in 2006. Within the space of 3 years she reached the highestrung on the achievement-ladder that these prestigious vocal competitions had tooffer. She was crowned both Junior and Senior Overall Vocal Champion at theNational Eisteddfod (a competition that draws over 10 000 entrants annually)and in the same years achieved the honours of Vocal Grand Champion at the SouthAfrican Championships of Performing Arts (2010 and 2011). Previously, in 2009,she was crowned with the Triple Threat Trophy (for Gold Medals in Vocals, Dramaand Modelling) at SACOPA.

Born in Durban in 1996 she relocated as a threeyear old with her family to Johannesburg. After showing much promise in theworld of the performing arts her parents decided to take Alexandra out ofmainstream schooling and placed her into a small independent school, ChartwellCountry College. The size of the classes and the personal attention that shewas afforded in this farm-school setting allowed her to both keep up with heracademic studies and pursue a rigorous training and performance schedule.

Katie Pennington-Rimmer was Alexandra’s first vocalcoach and after her relocation to the USA, Alexandra received training from twodiverse, but equally dedicated coaches, Desiree van der Walt (contemporary) andJune Kraus (classical). Under their expert guidance Alexandra’s repertoire grewto include contemporary, crossover and operatic pieces. This diversity hasallowed her entry into a wide and growing audience. Teaming up with her sister,Isabella, the duo has been blessed to perform at various levels, includingcorporate, social and local government functions. Their singing has won over aFacebook fan base of over 3500 so far.

In February 2006, just before her first SACOPAcompetition, Alexandra’s drama teacher, Jill Avis, gave her a laminated sheetwith the following words typed onto it:”You are not a performer unless you makethe audience feel something”. Raised in a God-fearing household, Alexandra hascome to understand the challenges and responsibilities that such a mottobrings. She had it pasted up on her bedroom wall for many years, using it asinspiration when choosing songs and preparing for performances, believing thatan achievement is hollow unless she had remained true to God and true toherself, making every performance believable and one of conviction.

Every year has brought its highlights in this 15year old’s short but illustrious performance-career so far. In 2010, Alexandra,after a rigorous elimination process, had the honour of singing at one of theofficial FIFA Fanfests and in 2011 she has been invited to perform two classicalarias with the Johannesburg Symphony Orchestra in November. She has alsosuccessfully auditioned to play the lead role in “Beauty and the Beast” in the People’sTheatre production at the Civic during November and December.

Alexandra is currently working on her ownproductions and a CD launch is planned for the near future.

INTRODUCING 3 FLIGHTS UP FROM UITENHAGE IN THE EASTERN CAPE

Joe Suti - Bass

Vince Swanepoel- Lead Vocals & Guitar

Lourens “Mike” Müller - Drums

3 Flights Up comesfrom the small town of Uitenhage, about 40km outside of Port Elizabeth in theEastern Cape. The band consists of Vince Swanepoel- Lead Vocals & Guitar,Joe Suti- Bass & BGV’s and Lourens “Mike” Müller- Drums.

3FU formed when Vince approached histwo friends to enter a Battleof the Bands for the fun of it. On the last day of entering the competition, 3Flights Up, ‘officially’ became a band.

Vince, Joe and Mikehad all played together for about 3 years in the same church band and so werealready comfortable playing together. Three weeks of practice led up to theirfirst performance on stage and the boys proved to have something more than justbeing able to play together. 3FU went on to win that competition and severalothers over the years and decided to try and make something with their newsound.

Ironically though, Vincentcontracted Keinbock’s Disease which caused the bones in his wrist to begindisintegrating. Due to this 3FU needed to take a break from live performancesand in an attempt to stay creative while Vincent underwent treatment andrecovery they have recorded several demos, won some more competitions andpracticed their recording skills from their modest home studio.

After another operation, this timeto fix Vincent’s broken nose, the boys have begun practicing hard again andwriting new material which they will be recording in their makeshift studio andhopefully performing and getting out to the public in 2011/2012. They haverecently completed their first music video for the original song ‘How I Learnedto Fly’ which is already featured on several DSTV channels and their website –3flightsup.com – will be online shortly. Their music has gathered a lot oflocal play in the Eastern Capeand has even been featured on national stations where a great response to theirmusic was received.

They have played on stage with thelikes of Mean Mr. Mustard, Willem Welsyn & the Sunrise Toffees, Evolver One,Kurt Darren and Watershed.

Their music can bedescribed as Hope-Filled lyrics based on a driving drum and bass foundation,powerful guitar melodies and sensational vocals.

Their love is music, their passionis to perform, and their desire is that He moves you!

SEASON 2 IS HERE!!

SEASON 2 HAS KICKED OFF!! DONT FORGET TO TUNE IN...


Mondays at 5pm (K'Nect) and 5:30pm (Southern starz) with a repeat on Tuesdays from 9 -10am and then a repeat on Sundays at 9-10am. ONLY ON ONE Gospel (Channel 331 - DSTV)


We want to hear from you!! Comment on our Facebook Page. We want to hear from you!!

YOU voted, and this week we had Crystal Clear perform, what did you think of his talent?

Miss KLT & Bonga 'Crystal Clear'

New Oslo Gospel Choir Release Inspired by South Africa Feat. Courtney & Loyiso

Integrity Media Africa is excited to announce the brand new album from the Oslo Gospel Choir, titled Stay Amazed. Local stars Loyiso Bala and Courtney Jonas were chosen to capture the essence of South Africa on the album which is set to be another ground-breaking release, a 15 track artful blend of sounds and language.

The Managing Director of Integrity Media Africa, Nurden Cross is delighted with this new project "From the moment I first encountered the Oslo Gospel Choir in 2007 I have loved their unique sound. Stay Amazed is a studio project that contains great hints of Africa as it pre-empts their tour to South Africa next year. This is a dream come true for the choir as they love the unique sounds of Africa, and Africa loves the sound of choirs, so, in my opinion, this project has to be partnership made in heaven!" 


 Kari Jobe, Paul Baloche and Chris Tomlin, are just a few of the contributing songwriters on Stay Amazed. With songs such as ‘I’m singing’, ‘Above All’, ‘Create in me a pure heart’ and ‘Bambelela’, the lyrics are honest and descriptive, expressing a manifold of emotions.
Bala and Jonas spent a week in Norway this past August recording as headline artists on the latest delivery from one Europe’s most successful choirs. This is a huge honor as musical legends such as Andrae Crouch, Pat Boone, Neil Sedaka, and Princess Märtha Louise of Norway have performed on their albums in the past. In just 3 months from recording, Stay Amazed is ready, marking the choirs twenty-ninth album release.


Bala has always had a love for the choir arrangement, and spent his early years singing in the world famous Drakensburg Boys Choir. Adding to a long list of accolades and notable performances was Bala’s show alongside Alicia Keys, Shakira, the Black Eyed Peas and John Legend at the FIFA World Cup Kick-Off celebration concert at Soweto’s 30,000 capacity Orlando Stadium. Ex-presidents, business and TV moguls like Nelson Mandela, Richard Branson, Gordon Brown, Bill Clinton and Oprah Winfrey are just some of the public figures that Bala has been invited to perform for.


This October Courtney Jonas toured South Africa with one of the founding fathers of modern worship Brian Doerksen (Canada). Jonas performed as a guest lead vocalist at Doerksen’s live shows. The 22 year old singer, songwriter rose to fame with her performances on the hit shows ‘High School Musical’ and ‘Evita’ as well as the presenter and performer on the teen music show ‘iShine Southern Starz’.


Since the Oslo Gospel Choir’s conception in 1988, the choir has performed more than 1000 live shows, and have sold in excess of 1.5 million albums globally. Between the years of 1990 and 2000, the choir became the highest selling artists in Norway, topping album sales of Michael Jackson. The thirty-two piece choirs appeal has successfully transcended age, race and gender.


The Stay Amazed CD will be on sale throughout South Africa in November, in time for the Christmas period. The Oslo Gospel Choir will be touring South Africa in the New Year, where visuals of South Africa will be captured and a Live DVD of Stay Amazed will be born. More details to follow.

iShine Southern Starz CD Review

Connell Cruise in The Citizen Newspaper

Courtney Loves Cupcakes

When scouting for a great venue for Courtney Jonas to film her sermonettes, the first thing that came to mind was cupcakes and milkshakes. For those who know Courts, she loves all things girly! yup, she has a teeny tiny Chihuahua named Bella-Starlet, she loves cupcakes, always wears dresses, drinks pink milkshakes, has a pink Blackberry as well as a bright pink iPad (which she can't put down)... oh, and Bella-Starlet wears pink too...

I stole this pic from her FB page :)

I came across the gorgeous Succulent Cafe on 14th Avenue in Northcliff and fell in love with it. The bonus being it had Courtney's name written all over it and it HAD to be the setting for her sermonettes. 


The wonderful team at Succulent Cafe were extremely delighted to have us shoot at thir decadent cafe. Thank you to Cindy and Stella for hosting our team, we are all in love with your spot!


Here are some pics of Courts recording her sermonettes for iShine Season 2 that will air in Dec 2011 on One Gospel, Channel 331.