Young pop singer Mihaela Chisnencu returned victorious from the Romanian national contest “Stave of Joy – 2009” held in Craiova town. Mihaela won the Top Prize in the 13-16 age bracket and the fist place of the Oltenia National Radio, Info-Prim Neo reports. “It wasn’t easy, but I succeeded,” Mihaela said. “The contest had two stages. Only eight competitors of 18 were to become finalists, but there were 11 finalists as they all were good. I had some problems with the choreography, when I sang the song “I Love You and I Fly” by the departed Grigore Vieru and Anatol Roscovan. The dancers designated by the organizers occupied all the space and I could not move. However, I went through to the final.” The final for Mihaela was much easier because she was sure of her song and the public appreciated it. “They liked my performance and, besides the Top Prize, the jury awarded me the fist place of the Oltenia National Radio that will promote my album “Alone in the World”. This CD is already promoted by the Moldova National Radio and the Iasi National Radio in Romania,” the singer said. Mihaela also enjoyed some other surprises. Singer Mihai Traistariu, who was a member of the jury, invited her to Constanta to participate in the televised program “Mamaia is Looking for a Star”, where the first four finalists compete in the greatest national contest in Romania, “Mamaia”. “I lived four dream days in Mamaia,” Mihaela said. “After the first preselection, I became one of the nine finalists, four of whom were selected by a special jury for the Mamaia final. I worked by 4-5 hours a day with real professionals like Mihai Traistariu, Traian Broasca and others.” As she is only 15, Mihaela could not go through to the final. Under the regulations of the contest, only singers aged between 16 and 35 can compete in the contest. Yet, jury members Corina Chiriac, Viorel Gavrila and Madalin Voicu offered her to study music in Bucharest. Mihaela Chisnencu has won four trophies and a lot of prizes at different national and international contests in Moldova, Romania, Ukraine, Russia, and Bulgaria. Mihaela was a pupil of the late composer Anatol Roscovan. Now she is taught by producer and singer Anca Apetroaiei in Iasi, Romania.