In an industry known for its highs and heartbreaks, Phoebe Josephine Nishi has carved her place through grit, discipline, and unwavering passion — proving that resilience is her greatest instrument.
Riding the waves of music and stardom
The entertainment industry is no bed of roses, but for Phoebe Josephine Nishi, she thrives amidst the challenges, relying on her grit and perseverance. Today, she is a multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, music teacher, actress, and model. As the saying goes — “When the going gets tough, the tough get going” — a decade in the industry has proven fruitful for her.
“I remember everything I have been through from day one. It’s not an easy industry to be in, but I have found what I truly love to do, and learning how to do it better encourages me to improve myself in ways I never knew I could,” said the 28-year-old.
Having studied music from the age of 16, Phoebe recalled the support of her father in her endeavours. Yet, as a young student prior to that age, she admitted to being rebellious whenever she attended piano lessons. Nevertheless, the path to music, though unexpected, has taught her countless life lessons.
She has also ventured into acting, appearing in TVS’ ‘Suffice’ and RTM’s ‘Cucu-Cucu Mak Tok’.
A leap of faith
In the late 2010s, Phoebe took a leap of faith to become a home-based music teacher, working independently while also performing at gigs and events. It wasn’t easy to climb the ladder; according to her, many initially looked down on a newbie musician and vocalist like herself.
“Looking back, I feel I have improved a lot and have been able to prove myself while learning from my teammates. Those I worked with before really taught me a great deal,” she said.
Phoebe, who was once part of Akoustik Connexion, M Studio, One Tree Fourteen Band, Turtle Tree Studio Band, Prodigy Orchestra, and RTM Orchestra, is now a freelance musician. She enjoys performing with different musicians and exploring new ways to express her love for music, rarely taking a pause to relax.
“I find that when I work hard, I can get past one wave to reach the next. Once I’m there, I can see the next wave and get through it,” she said of her current endeavours — running her own studio and conducting classes.
Despite the challenges, she is pleased to work independently. Though there were times she considered quitting, a persistent thought kept her going: “What am I to do if not for music, acting, and modelling?”
At times, she experiences doubt, but her career has become a precious note she carries with her. The momentum she has built has helped her improve in countless ways — from singing to mastering her instruments.
Discipline and perseverance
Growing up surrounded by music, Phoebe admitted that as a child she disliked her strict music classes. Over time, however, she realised that discipline and rigour build positive character in young musicians.
As an adult and professional musician, she has embraced humility and perseverance. “As musicians, we are expected to perform as perfectly as possible. But even when we do, it’s important to remain humble and to accept failure.”
“Some students keep trying whenever they fail. That builds resilience. Failing is okay because the more you fail, the more you improve.”
Sarawak’s entertainment scene
Phoebe likens Sarawak’s entertainment industry to a plant growing from strong roots: the local music and film scene has shown positive growth over the past decade. While many artists are self-taught, she emphasises the value of formal music education to deepen one’s understanding and appreciation.
“There is so much more to music. Taking courses and being certified helps deepen one’s appreciation,” she said. Meanwhile, the growth of Sarawak’s film industry through TVS has created opportunities in directing, producing, and other creative roles.
As a budding actress, Phoebe is optimistic about the local talent pool. “Previously, most good opportunities were overseas or in Kuala Lumpur. Now, many are staying in Kuching, which creates momentum locally.”
Having achieved several milestones herself, she is pleased with her personal growth. “My journey was unexpected — I never imagined I would grow into this. I really love what I do, and being surrounded by the local community is exhilarating. Through my work, I meet people from different fields and learn more about what they do.”
As Sarawak’s creative landscape continues to evolve, Phoebe stands as proof that perseverance matters as much as talent. She has learned that success is not a single breakthrough but a series of waves — and the courage to keep riding them.
For now, her rhythm remains steady: teaching, performing, auditioning, creating. While the future may bring marriage and motherhood, she continues to build her life one note at a time — grounded in humility, driven by perseverance, and confident that music will carry her exactly where she is meant to be.
