Name: Chandara
Occupation: Singer
Chandara's story is a true life tale of overcoming adversity, obstacles, and even danger on the winding road toward launching into her musical career. She and her family are Southeast Asian refugees who survived Cambodia's killing fields from 1975-1979 which took the lives of 3 million Cambodians. They came to the United States to escape war, torture, and death. In 1985, they settled in Stockton, CA after stops in Nebraska and Washington State. Here Chandara took on the American name of Elizabeth.
Chandara grew up singing with her family and developed her skills in church, school choirs, and talent shows. Some of her early influences include Mariah Carey, Boys II Men, Shirley Murdock, and Minnie Riperton. Chandara began competing in local competitions throughout high school which had won her many awards and trophies. Her talent was apparent then as she advanced on to regional competitions as well. She is not afraid to be in front of people. “I love to be on stage. The stage is where I belong,” she says. Then in the year 2002, she decided to attend Musician’s Institute, a highly prestigious music school for contemporary musicians and songwriters in the great heart of Hollywood city.
Drawing from her past singing experiences from church, school and competitions, she entered the popular American Idol reality TV show in Season IV. Those who have watched may have remembered her as Elizabeth Pha. She made quite the splash with her clothes and wowed her way past the third screening round with a strong performance of Whitney Houston’s “I Have Nothing,” earning her way to Hollywood. A total of about 100,000 people nation wide auditioned and she was among 200 who made it past the celebrity judges, Simon, Paula, and Randy. She advanced past the next round which made her one of 100. Finally in the end, she found a premature exit with an unfortunate group performance. “It gave me such adrenaline just to be on National TV. I would never trade this experience for anything else. I felt very privileged and honored,” she spoke with such enthusiasm and content. An exciting and eventful experience is something Liz will never forget as she is forever grateful for the supporters she gained from the show.
Surviving the regime of Pol Pot in Cambodia is not the only adversity that Chandara has overcome in her life. At the tender age of 8, she became a survivor of the infamous 1989 Cleveland Elementary school massacre in Stockton, CA. Witnessing a shooting that killed all five of her friends was not something she had ever expected to see. Chandara was in the school yard playing during recess as gunfire shattered the mid-morning calm. Patrick Purdy, the gunman, took an AK-47 style weapon and opened fire at the school he had attended as a child. He sprayed the playground with 106 rounds, killing five children and wounding 30. And then Purdy took his own life.
Chandara was on the school grounds and saw it all. Still, as an adult, she lives through the torment of realizing how that event affects her. It has been through music that made her overcome the negative aspects in life and has helped her to express her emotions. All that she has gone through, both good and bad is heard in her voice and in her songs.
Chandara’s music has been influenced through obstacles, adversity, pain, as well as hope, joy, and love. She deeply appreciates each and every one of you for visiting this website and wants her music to fill you with warmth, hope, and inspiration.
Excerpts taken from:
A painful past, an ever-brighter future
Cambodian survivor of Cleveland School tragedy makes impression on 'American Idol'
By Emil Guillermo
The Record
Staff Writer
Published Sunday, February 6, 2005
Chandara will perform in Lowell, MA. on April 1, 15 , 16, 2006 at Pailin Resturant - Pailin Plaza on Branch st. Lowell, MA.
Date: 07/12/2006
Url:
http://www.chandaramusic.com
Author: Sarith San
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