Originally Posted on Manila Bulletin in Celebrity World by Crispina Belen
“NJ” sets off on a new journey
Singers seem to be getting younger and younger these days. The latest to throw her hat into the ring is 15-year-old Nicole Joy who’s looking to be the music biz’s answer to the likes of Mandy Moore and Jessica Simpson.
Born on Oct. 12, 1988, Nicole Joy is a student at the Sacred Heart Academy in Pasig. She had formal vocal training with the Center for Pop Music Philippines and Yamaha, and also attended classes in Musical Theater under the ABS-CBN Talent Center and Trumpets.
She was discovered by Sunny Ilacad while singing Aegis’ “Pagbabalik” for multiplex tapes. Despite being only 15 years old, Nicole impressed Ilacad with her vocal range, which could well match that of a more mature singer. Next thing Nicole knew, she was recording her debut album which features 10 tracks, including “Maghihintay,” a composition by Nyoy Volante, and the carrier single “Kung Ika’y Mawawala” by Oman Quijano. The album also contains revivals of “Never Knew Love Like This Before” (which features instrumentation by Nyoy and Mannos) and “The Art of Letting Go.”
The next stage of this young singer’s journey will come on Oct. 12, when she stages a birthday concert at Dish (at the ground floor of ABS-CBN’s The Loop), with Nyoy Volante and Christian Bautista as her special guests.
It will be her first time to perform in such a venue. The concert will not only serve as a birthday celebration, but also her professional debut as a singer.
Nicole says she feels challenged to do her best, considering that she will be singing side-by-side with two singers who have already proven themselves. “I’m nervous because I wonder if I can reach their standards,” says the pretty young teener. “But I promise to do my best. Siyempre, ayoko din mapahiya sa kanila at sa mga manonood sa akin.”
That question will be answered on Oct. 12 when she mounts the Dish stage for her birthday concert.
