FIRST-TIME concert emcee Yash Saykanaya, 11, need not worry about getting stage fright on the big night.

After all, he and his three co-hosts - Lian Kim Selby, 16, Evelyn Wong, 17, and Alan Tang, 17 - will be the first ChildAid concert emcees to get professional training.

They will be putting their new-found skills to the test during the concert, which will be held at the University Cultural Centre on Nov 27 and 28.

ChildAid, an annual showcase of young musical talents, is organised by The Straits Times (ST) and The Business Times (BT) newspapers, with the NUS Centre for the Arts as the venue and production partner.

Inaugurated in 2005, it aims to raise money for the ST School Pocket Money Fund and the BT Budding Artist Fund.

Yash says he is 'extremely relieved' to be given training before going on stage.

'I can't imagine how nervous I'd be if I were to do this entirely on my own,' he says.

So far, he and his co-emcees have had a three-hour session with trainer Peggy Ferroa, who guided them through the script and gave them tips to enhance their enunciation and intonation.

The young hosts also learnt to 'improve on our confidence and engage the audience better', says Evelyn.

Still, the junior college student admits to being a tad nervous - especially since she has to read out the names of the sponsors and VIPs.

'I'm really scared I'll end up pronouncing their names wrongly,' she says with a laugh.

She says that she is happy about her role in the show, even if she isn't singing or dancing.

'I may not be the star of the concert, but I'm glad to be able to build up the atmosphere for the other performers to shine.'

ChildAid will be held at the University Cultural Centre on Nov 27 and 28. Tickets at $15, $20 and $30 are available from Sistic (http://www.sistic.com.sg/ or call 6348-5555).