With a record three Karaoke World Champions under our belts, Australia has shown the world that it really does have talent.

Could we do it yet again? After a nail biting six month Australian national search in over 80 venues, the event culminated with the top 11 singers competing in the Australian National Grand Final in the Middle Showroom, Ferntree Gully on Saturday, 1st August, 2009.

With a true rock stage at their feet, graced by some of Australia’s top rock bands, they took to the stage and showed the world what they’re made of. After a great day of performances and competition, the crowd erupted with the announcement that Dina Bit-David, a 29 year old Court Advocate & Prosecution Officer from Woodcroft in Sydney was our new Australian Karaoke World Champion.

Dina only had a few short weeks to prepare her song choices for Finland before flying across to the other side of the world to represent her country.

The international finals were held September 11 & 12, 2009. The time had arrived for singers from over 32 different countries to converge on the township of Lahti, Finland for the world’s biggest karaoke event of the year. Dina was prepared with discs, costumes and Aussie flags in hand – ready to take on the world.

After Thursday’s informal meet & greet cocktail party and the karaoke doused Official Launch Party, the competition began on Friday at Lahti’s premier entertainment venue, the 1000 seater, Lahti Hall. All competitors took to the stage for the first round with Dina rising to the occasion as a crowd favourite with her winning rendition of ‘Rescue Me’. KWC Australia’s management were pleasantly surprised with an acknowledgement award for their 5 year involvement and their country’s professional commitment to the event.

Saturday – The top ten started to stand out as each singer performed their second song. With eliminations beginning after the second round, it was their last chance to make an impression. Dina chose her competition faithful, ‘I Will Always Love You’, winning over the crowd and a place in the third round.

With only the top 10 men and top 10 women competing in the third round, the competition was starting to heat up. Playing it safe over the first two rounds, the top ten were now showing everyone what they were really made of, hitting highs never before seen at KWC. This year’s talent was extremely high. The judges had a tough decision before them and Dina had her work cut out. She took to the stage with a raunchy version of, ‘Piece Of My Heart’.

As the top 5 men and top 5 women were announced, the Australian contingent, dubbed by chairman and managing director of Capital Karaoke, Darryl Hayden, as the ‘Australian Karaoke Consulate’, cheered as they had made it through to the final round for the 5th year in a row. Panama, Russia, Ireland and Finland joined Australia onstage in the women’s section with Lebanon, Ireland, Finland, Poland and Austria battling it out in the men’s. It was now down to the wire. Dina made us all proud with a beautiful performance of Kelly Clarkson’s, ‘Moment Like This’.

With the points from all performances contributing towards the final score, it wasn’t necessarily the best final song that would win. It was anyone’s game.

After an eclectic array of performances and in particular, an extremely strong performance in the third round of Celine Dion’s, ‘All By Myself’, Nataliya Pilyutina from Russia pipped the title in the women’s section, giving Dina the silver medal and Finland’s, Jenni Roth, the bronze.

Ireland’s, Adrian Kenny stole the show in the men’s section with his renditions of ‘Hallelujah’, ‘I Know I’ll Never Love This Way Again’, ‘Purple Rain’ and the Eurovision winner, ‘Fairytale’. Now, there’s a voice to keep an eye out for. Sami Muhonen from Finland won the silver with Elie Hatem from Lebanon receiving the bronze.

Both category winners will be heading back to Finland in the very near future to record an album with IVK Music. After the success of his debut single, Australia’s 2008 champ, Michael Bates, started recording his new album while in Finland for KWC 2009.

Dina’s advice to future KWC Champions and competitors

Song choice is crucial. Workshop songs you are familiar with but don’t be afraid to try something that may also be out of your comfort zone. You will surprise yourself and it will inspire you to think beyond the norm. Judges are looking for that something extra – charm! Ask people for an honest answer when workshopping song ideas but don’t be afraid to go with your gut instinct. Finding a way to channel your nervous energy in a way that energises your performance is a rewarding experience. Remember that it is a competition and you will be judged, however, one thing that is common to all is the ability to pick up if someone is genuinely having fun on stage and making an effort to connect with the audience. Always be true to yourself!