Mombasa prodigy wins big at Kenya Music Festival

Competing in the prestigious Kenya Music Festival, Shay secured first place in the Coast Region, propelling him to the National level where he achieved an impressive second-place finish. His journey to the top required him to excel in three rigorous stages: sub-county, county, and regional qualifiers.

Shay’s musical journey is nothing short of remarkable. He draws inspiration from world-renowned violinist Ray Chen and the timeless compositions of Antonio Vivaldi, both of whom he discovered through YouTube.

With guidance from his coach, Joyce Mueni, Shay has evolved into a professional-level violinist, dazzling audiences and judges alike with his exceptional talent.

The young violinist attributes his success to a disciplined practice routine. Shay focused intensely on mastering the moderately soft (MF) part of his performance piece, perfecting his violin’s fine tuning, and maintaining a precise tempo of 116 beats per minute. Balancing this with his schoolwork, Shay practiced every two days, honing his skills to perfection.

“For me, playing the violin is more than just a talent—it’s something that makes me feel relaxed and happy,” Shay shared. “Practicing the dynamics of my facial expressions helped me connect with the music on a deeper level and made a big difference in my performance.”

With his outstanding achievements, Shay Jinal Shah is set for a bright future in music, continuing to inspire others with his dedication, talent, and passion for the violin.