In a world where geography and politics often divide, a sunlit rehearsal room in Phnom Penh offers a gentle counter-narrative. Inside, voices from 22 different countries harmonise, weaving through traditional Khmer melodies, African choral pieces, gospel and timeless pop classics.
At the centre of this vibrant tapestry stands Miwako Fujiwara, a classically trained Japanese pianist and conductor whose quiet determination has built one of Cambodia’s most enduring cultural and philanthropic institutions.
This year marks a monumental milestone for the Kingdom’s arts scene: 10 years of Musica Felice. To celebrate a decade of music, friendship, and community connection, the ensemble will present a landmark anniversary concert titled Global Fusion on Sunday, October 25, in the Grand Ballroom of Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra.
What began a decade ago as a modest gathering of music lovers in the capital has blossomed into a global family. Over the past ten years, singers from 28 nations have joined the ensemble, bound by a shared motto that has guided their journey from the start: “Love is Power”.
“Looking back over a decade, reaching our 10th anniversary fills me with deep gratitude,” Miwako tells The Post.
“Musica Felice is much more than a choir; it is a family connected through music, friendship, and love. Over the years, people from 28 countries have been involved in our journey, all living together in Phnom Penh and sharing a common purpose. The most meaningful part has been seeing how music brings people together beyond nationality, language, and culture, while allowing us to give something back to the Cambodian community we call home,” she adds.
The upcoming Global Fusion concert, the 17th Charity Concert, unites performers from 22 countries on a single stage, alongside a special regional reunion welcoming back 30 singers from the Cantus Choir in Vietnam.
For Miwako, designing the repertoire is an exercise in cross-cultural dialogue, featuring a specially arranged Khmer Song Medley alongside African choral pieces, gospel, reggae, and even songs by The Beatles.
“Global Fusion celebrates the beauty of our differences and the joy of discovering one another through music,” Miwako explains. “Our programme travels across cultures… With performers representing 22 countries on stage and the return of Cantus Choir from Vietnam, we hope to show that music is a universal language. We may come from different backgrounds, but when we sing together, we become one voice.”
Behind the artistic diversity lies a rigorous philanthropic mission. Over the past decade, Musica Felice has raised and donated $158,574 to 28 schools and educational initiatives scross Cambodia, as well as the Kantha Bopha Children’s Hospital. Proceeds from the latest milestone concert will directly benefit two key educational charities: SeeBeyondBorders in Siem Reap Province and Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC) in Phnom Penh.
“For this anniversary, we chose SeeBeyondBorders, which works to improve education in Cambodia, and Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC), which supports disadvantaged children and young people. We wanted our celebration to create a meaningful impact beyond the concert hall. Education opens doors to a brighter future, and we believe every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, and discover their potential,” Miwako explains.
Maintaining a cohesive volunteer choir in a transitory expatriate hub like Phnom Penh requires remarkable dedication. For Miwako, the key to keeping the group united amid constant turnover lies in core human values.
“I believe the secret is love, respect and a shared purpose,” she reflects. “Everyone in Musica Felice volunteers their time and talent because they believe music can make a difference. We come from different countries and cultures, but we listen to one another, learn from one another and work towards something greater than ourselves.”
“Our motto, ‘Love is Power,’ expresses everything we stand for. In a city like Phnom Penh, where people come and go from many parts of the world, music gives us a place to belong, build lasting friendships and create something meaningful together,” she adds.
The choir’s growth has also been sustained by key corporate partnerships, particularly with Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra, where newly appointed general manager Marc Emmanuel continues to support the series.
“Without this amazing venue, we could not have grown year after year and welcomed over 1,000 audience members to our concerts.”
Looking ahead, Miwako remains driven by a desire to innovate, blending multidisciplinary elements like acting and musical theatre into future performances.
“As an artistic director, I always look for new ways to bring music to life on stage,” she says. “My dream is for Musica Felice to continue to be a place where creativity has no boundaries, cultures connect and music brings people together for a greater purpose. We are a choir made in Cambodia, with members from around the world who call Phnom Penh home.”
Ultimately, Miwako sees the choir’s mission as a subtle yet effective ripple for peace.
“Love is peace. Peace begins where we are,” Miwako concludes. “We may not be able to change the whole world, but we can begin by creating a place where people from different cultures, backgrounds and nationalities come together through music, understanding and compassion. Every act of love creates a ripple. Every person we touch may carry that love to someone else. And little by little, from the place where we are, those ripples can spread throughout the world.”
As final rehearsals draw near, Miwako poses one last question to the community: “Can you imagine the next 10 years? I can — and I hope they will bring even more music, love, creativity and opportunities for the children of Cambodia.”
Global Fusion — Musica Felice 10th Anniversary Concert takes place on Sunday, October 25, from 4.30pm to 6.30pm at the Grand Ballroom of Sofitel Phnom Penh Phokeethra. Proceeds benefit SeeBeyondBorders and Empowering Youth in Cambodia (EYC). Tickets and information are available at musicafelice.org.
