In-Cha – Violin Superstar From the moment that she can remember “Art” has always played a role in shaping who little In-Cha is.But it is the art of music which has had the most impact on who she is and what she stands for.In-Cha started playing the piano at the age of 4, but fell in love with the violin after going to a concert with her mom at the age of 6.This resulted in her Mom securing private tuition lessons for her with the renowned Professor Vincenzo Lo Castro. Not easy to impress he instantly recognised her talent and potential as a violin soloist and thus In-Cha’s career in music began in earnest.

Committed and practising a minimum of three hours a day In-Cha’s career as a classical violin soloist boasts a number of achievements.

Classical Achievements: In addition to being the youngest South African to pass her Grade 8 “Associated Board of Royal Schools of Music” classical violin examinations with a distinction.

In-Cha has also a number of achievements under her belt. She was awarded first place in her age category for both the 2005 and 2006 Queensburgh festival. She performed in the showcase concert of the National Creative Arts Youth Festival at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre. In June 2005 She performed as the youngest soloist at the Reiding Concerto in Cape Town with the Hugo Lambrechts Youth Orchestra. In April 2005 she performed with the KZNPO in the April 2005 Youth Performers Concert.

She was also selected to perform in the National Youth Concerto Festival at the Durban City Hall in September 2005. Michelle was one of the 8 finalists at the 2005 Sanlam music competition and the winner of the grade 6 Ethekwini Easteddfod in September 2006 whereby she received a 94% pass. On the 7th of October 2006 she performed the all 3 movements of the Vivaldi Concerto Grosso with the KZNPO in the last night of the proms in the Durban city hall with conductor Richard Cock. On the 18th November 2006, In-Cha performed again with the KZNPO for the Rotary Charity Fund.

In-Cha was the winner of the violin category at the 2006 Kwa-Zulu Natal classic performers’ music competition, participant age group 10 years to 18 years old. In-Cha has also performed with the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra at the RMB Starlight Classic in 2007. In September 2007 In-Cha won the “Strings” segment at the Sanlam National Music Competition and was the overall second place winner. These performances have steadily built a credible reputation and fan base for this Durban based solo violinist particularly within the classical music fraternity.

But as In-Cha best describes, she is only 11 years old and is therefore also exposed to all other musical influences that impress upon, most children her age.Her first love is and always will be classical music, but she found that these influences were awakening a different melody within her.Something she terms as a “Rebel Melody”. She hoped that she could find some way of making her friends who were MTV, Pop & Hip/Hop freaks, understand and like the music that she was so passionate about.In-Cha became determined to explore how she could incorporate the violin with music of other genres particularly Pop & Hip/Hop.So she turned to her biggest supporter and inspiration “Mom” and expressed her desire to record a Hip/Hop Violin album.

In January 2007 In-Cha travelled to Atlanta Georgia in the USA, where she started recording her album with Grammy nominated producers Ced Keyz International & Willie “Will” Briggs Jr. These producers have worked with artists such as Ciarra, Gnarles Barkley, Field Mob, Cee-lo Green, Patti LaBelle and Ruben Studdard as well as co-produced with the renowned Hip/Hop producer Jazzy Pha. This experience enabled her to expand her interaction with the violin, giving her the confidence to explore creative, fresh and colourful approaches towards her music.

Thus upon her return to SA she desperately wanted to include on her album music that incorporates her Afro-Asian (Asian de Afrique) heritage. For this she turned to South Africa’s premier producer Alexis Faku, the man responsible for a number of SA hits for artists such as Danny K, Jae, TK, Lebo, Loyiso, Bianca, Tamara Dey, Evet and Lungi. Alexis describes In-Cha as one of his most inspiring projects to date and he feels like he is growing with her along this musical journey.There is even a unique and surprising collaboration with “Durban’s’ Finest” Afro/House superstar producer DJ Tira. There are collaborations with Jae, as well as SA Hip/Hop powerhouse HHP and South African Superstar Danny K. In-Cha is managed, marketed and distributed by independent record label NB Music Records, the same company responsible for the successful launch of SA singing sensation Jae.

Noel Kok MD of NB Music Records describes In-Cha as the most exciting development in South African music.She is set to become a world brand, and her career will be launched through the most comprehensive groundbreaking branding campaign in the SA music industry.As an artist her brand is being developed by leading industry players as evidenced by her musical production teams.

Her live performances will be characterised as slick choreographed events, with in-Cha accompanied by a band of top SA musicians as well as a troupe of professional dancers. A range of In-Cha merchandise is being developed to support the In-Cha brand aimed primarily at the “Tweenie” market. Even though In-Cha is being aimed at the “Tweenie” market her music has the capacity to cross all age groups because of its classical influences.

Her first track titled “Violin Superstar” featuring a yet to be released amazing talent on vocals and produced by Alexis Faku is to be released on radio in September.The track features In-Cha playing amazing classical violin tunes on a funky hip/hop base which sure to get young and old bopping to its groove.The track epitomises perfectly, In-Cha’s wish of making classical music fashionable to all.

In-Cha’s childish angelic innocence and age is portrayed through her music and image yet her non-conformist style communicates the rebel within her that is able to modernize the classical sounds of the violin by fusing them with modern genres. In-Cha is destined to be the worlds next Violin Superstar……

From In-cha's website