My name is Zhuraini and I am from Malaysia. Many of you that knows me, knows that I am very much into openmic. I have a music background. I was from the faculty of performing arts in Technology University of Mara. I have chosen a career in music and I teach music to my students in Yamaha Music School in Subang Jaya.
I am into Flamenco music and I do sometimes play for Flamenco dancers. I play fingerstyle, electric guitar and classical too. I have another passion for violin which not many people has seen me playing.
Being in this line is never easy. Unless you have made it big. I live a very mediocre life. I used to teach music in a public university because I took their grant (scholarship) to Spain for Flamenco lessons. That was the best few months of my life. I immerse myself in the Spanish culture and understanding what Flamenco is about. I did one piece for Week 60 and here is the piece.
I have done many things apart from music. I was running a business of renting jet ski in the island of Langkawi. I really enjoyed my time there. It was beach, fun, sun and tourists. I earn a little but it was a good part of my life. But however this life is no longer suitable when my wife gave birth to my first child.
I started business of my own but it didn't go far, so eventually I stick to what I know best, teaching aspiring guitarist. I was also actively involved in this musical called P.Ramlee the Musical which is a tribute to one of the most talented singer, composer and musician that we ever had.
I don't have many achievements to boast about. I won some local music competition and I won one of the week in #openmic.
I get invited for guitar festivals both locally and abroad and most of the time because I am a Flamenco guitarist. It is not easy to find one in this part of the world.
Well, I am a Steemian for a start. I am your weekly participant in openmic and I do take job offers from people who wish to see me perform during functions or private events. I do take commercial song writing too, for corporations or for recording companies. Basically, life is okay, doesn't always pay well but it is cool because I am doing what I love.
It is not easy to breakthrough in this career that I have chosen. I am using this platform to help me achieve what I could not have achieved on my own. The reach of this platform is huge especially with the initiative by openmic. I could not say enough to those who had made this possible, people who tirelessly took their time to make this work, you know who you are. If you don't, I am naming you now, 
I am sorry I can't name them all, but the support that I have been getting from openmic alone is incredible. I hardly spend my time networking with these people but each time I do my posting, I get a flurry of messages commenting on my piece. Excellent community.
I hope that one day, which is not very distant in the future, I can own my own yacht and not worry about money concern. I don't love money a lot, but I need enough to ensure that my family leads a decent life.
I know when I get older I ramble a lot. But I hope that Malaysians take this initiative to showcase their talent. This is one of the few platforms that I know pays for our work. It is not easy earning an income but I think most musicians like myself we seek recognition more than anything else. But if there is money that comes along, we welcome it.
To those who had helped me along the way, may you be blessed. 
