MEDIA RELEASE

AIM  Graduate Takes Out Prize at National Superliner Showcase

Australian Institute of Music graduate student Daniel Webb has won a holiday on Australia’s first superliner - P&O Cruises’ Pacific Dawn - after performing in a national talent showcase in Sydney recently.

Daniel, 21, was short-listed from scores of entries to perform at the showcase following a nationwide search by P&O Cruises and Princess Cruises to find new guest entertainers for their superliners, Pacific Dawn and Sun Princess. The two ships will debut in Sydney next week.

Speaking after the showcase event, Brett Annable, Entertainment Services Manager for Carnival Australia – which represents the sister cruise lines in Australia – praised Daniel for his performance, singing New York State of Mind.

“He has great stage presence and a terrific voice – he’ll be an excellent addition to our guest entertainer line-up on our ships,” Mr Annable said.

Daniel’s success is a tribute to his perseverance. Following a near-fatal accident at the age of five, his parents were told he may never speak again.  But, defying the odds, Daniel has been performing professionally since the age of seven, and credits alot of his musicianship and knowledge to his time spent at AIM, where he studied the Bachelor of Music in contemporary.

Speaking after the showcase, Daniel described his win as “very unexpected”.

“It was an awesome feeling performing alongside people who are so good at what they do – it was an amazing night.”

The Showcase was held at Waters Edge at Pier One on Sydney Harbour and was attended by almost 200 travel industry members. A panel comprising well-respected members of the entertainment and travel industries selected Daniel from the final field of eight, praising him on his passionate performance, which earned big applause from the audience.

Mr Annable said the cruise lines had been overwhelmed with the response to their call for new guest entertainers.

“Australia has a rich vein of talented performers and artists, and this is the first time we have undertaken a national recruitment campaign of this scale, so we’re very excited about the response,” Mr Annable said.

“We employ around 500 entertainers a year and pride ourselves on offering the highest calibre of performances on our ships. The standard of applicants we’ve had in our latest recruitment drive means we’ll have some great new acts coming up on our superliners in their debut season.”

P&O Cruises first superliner, the 70,000-ton Pacific Dawn, will sail on her first cruise from Australia on November 9, two days after Princess Cruises’ 77,000-ton Sun Princess debuts as Australia’s first year round premium superliner.

With onboard entertainment providing an important part of the cruise experience, both ships offer superb theatres and show lounges. 

Media information: Libby Moffet / Larissa Kaye
MG Media Communications
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