News

7 June 2017
Calling A Star Competition Winners Announced, Collett Dawson - The CoLab Network, Artslink

Two young performers from Johannesburg win parts in a new grand-scale musical Calling Me Home on stage at Joburg Theatre from 17 August.
Two young performers’ dreams came true, when they won the #CallingAStar high schools singing competition.
18-year-old Dihan Schoeman from Stageworx School of Performing Arts and 16-year-old Tannah Levick from King David Linksfield triumphed over 18 other finalists to become part of the cast of Calling Me Home. This original musical premieres on 17 August at the Joburg Theatre with an all-star cast of 33, which includes stars like Lynelle Kenned, Samantha Peo and Zolani Mahola.
#CallingAStar is a singing competition to identify talented high school performers to join the Calling Me Home cast. The competition will take place in all major cities where the production will run. Learners are invited to enter by sending in an audition video. The entrants are then narrowed down to 20 finalists, who compete for two coveted spots on the cast.
All the finalists for this competition attended a workshop hosted in partnership with the Africa Voices Trust, a public-benefit organisation that prepares young musicians from Africa for careers in the entertainment industry. At this workshop, they were introduced to and mentored by some of the seasoned performers who are already on the cast of Calling Me Home, as well as past and current participants of the Africa Voices Trust programme.
The finalists then went on to perform at a gala concert at the UJ Arts Centre Theatre in front of a live audience and a panel of judges consisting of Calling Me Home director Magdalene Minnaar, acclaimed theatre star Judy Page, Gauteng Opera CEO, Marcus Desando and Mpumi Khubeka from Sony/ATV Music Publishing.
The judges were delighted by the exceptionally high standard of the performances. During the announcement of the winners, Minnaar turned to the finalists more than once to express her appreciation for what they brought to the stage.
The head of marketing and communication for Calling Me Home, Jako Krige, says they are extremely excited about the future of the entertainment industry. “When we put out the call to enter the competition, we had no way of estimating the response we would get. We were overwhelmed by the talent. We’ve seen some incredible performers over the past few weeks and seeing the passion they have for performing, makes us work harder to create opportunities for them. Go and memorise the 20 finalists’ names. You’ll see their faces on magazine covers, billboards and CD-covers. That right there, is the future of our industry.”
The learning doesn’t stop, as all finalists are invited to attend more workshops during later phases of the production at the Joburg Theatre in August. “Calling Me Home is committed to creating as much positive growth in the entertainment industry as possible,” Krige said.

The winners
Shortly after being announced as one of the two winners of #CallingAStar, Tannah Levick (16), who attends King David Linksfield and lives in Houghton, said it still does not feel real. “I keep wondering if it’s true. Everyone was extremely talented and I was just grateful to be amongst them.”
Levick performed “I Can Hear The Bells” from the musical Hairspray. According to judge Magdalene Minnaar, it was not only Levick’s near flawless performance that won the panel over, but also her understanding and interpretation of the song. “She knew exactly what to do with the song and did it comfortably.”
The 16-year-old didn’t expect to win. “From the first day at the Africa Voices Trust workshop, I was inspired by my fellow competitors as each person was so diverse and you could learn something new from everyone. My friends had to nudge me forward [when they announced my name] as I did not believe it to be true.”
Levick will now join the rest of the cast mid-July for rehearsals. She said that she was looking forward to working with and learning from all the professional performers on the cast. “I love performing. It has been my dream to be in musical theatre since I was little.”
18-year-old Dihan Schoeman from Sandton says this will be his first big production. “I’m so excited to really go in as a sponge and just soak up as much knowledge as I can. I’m also looking forward to building professional and even some personal relationships with people that I have grown up watching since I was a little boy.”
Schoeman was raised in the musical theatre industry (his mother Heidi Schoeman is a vocalist and accompanist). He says his best friends growing up were Fanny Brice, Elphaba and the Phantom. “I sang “Don’t Rain On My Parade” before I was even old enough to understand what it really meant.”
For his final audition at the gala concert, Schoeman sang “Don’t Forget Me”, from the TV series, Smash.
He is finishing his schooling at Stageworx School of Performing Arts, where he is busy with an intensive course in performance arts. The principal of Stageworx, seasoned performer Gemma Marinus, says they are extremely proud of Schoeman. “It is fantastic for him. It has always been his dream to be part of an incredible professional production. He is a hard worker and dedicated to the craft. He is going to have a phenomenal career.”
According to Schoeman, he was not prepared for the announcement. “Because of the amount of talent in the competition, I wasn’t expecting to be a winner. So it was an incredible personal moment when I actually realized it meant that I would be in the show. Gratitude at its finest.”

11 May 2015
Africa Voices Trust – Voices of Hope - Reanne Leigh, Event Music

On Friday night, 8th May, I was very privileged to be invited to watch ‘Voices of Hope’ at the Baxter Theatre in Cape Town.
Presented by Africa Voices, the concert showcased each of their artists, as well as a special performance by the legendary Vusi Mahlasela.

I found the evening truly inspirational, learning about this non-profit organization that focuses on helping our young artists learn how to bridge the gap between cultivating their talent and learning how to make a career with their talent.

I was also struck with a strong sense of the vulnerability before me.  These young artists, pouring out their souls to strangers, so hopeful and eager to share their gifts.  This is the very reason why Event Music was founded in the first place, because we need to help support and nurture the creativity in our country if we want a thriving music industry.

Encouragingly, the ambassadors of Voices Trust include a few of SA’s top musical talents: Golda Schultz, Vusi Mahlasela, Monde Mdingi and Sunnyboy Dladla.

Vusi Mhlasela showed full support on the evening by sharing his music and giving up his time in support of the young artists and Africa Voices.  He is an exemplary role model in the industry and earlier this year he was awarded a lifetime achievement award at the SAMA Awards.  Vusi has also received an honorary doctorate degree from Rhodes University in Grahamstown as well as the National Order of Ikhamanga – which acknowledges him for “drawing attention to the injustices that isolated South Africa from the global community during the Apartheid years.”

7 October 2014
ANNOUNCING THE AFRICA VOICES CAROLI SINGING AWARD IN COLLABORATION WITH BAYERISCHE STAATSOPER

The Africa Voices Trust announced an exciting new initiative aimed at the graduates of their opera programme this morning - the Caroli Singing Award.The Caroli Singing Award – presented in collaboration with the Bayerische Staatsoper and specifically their Opera Studio – offers one deserving graduate of each Africa Voices Development Programme in this genre, the opportunity to travel to Germany for 10 days.Whilst in Munich, the award winner will experience the inner workings of an internationally acclaimed opera house. He or she will have the opportunity to observe all behind-the-scenes activities of the internationally acclaimed institution and be in a position to network in order to potentially further their career as a proudly South African yet internationally recognised Opera singer. Furthermore, the winner will have the opportunity to audition for the Opera Studio's Young Artist Programme.The award will be of no cost to the successful programme graduate and is aimed at providing world-class, young African talent with the support they require in order to craft a financially sustainable and meaningful career from their passion for singing opera.“This experience would be invaluable for any young aspiring opera singer,” says Jessica Schnehage, Director of the Africa Voices Trust. “With the financial implications of travelling abroad often being the main obstacle to overcome for our young singers in Africa, this award will not only make this dream practically accessible, but also actively work to align the winner with the best possible experiences and opportunities during their stay. Having already integrated all the tools they require to be an effective artist of international standard through the Africa Voices Development Programme, we are confident that the benefit gained through this opportunity will be the final boost they require in realising their dreams.”The winner of the Caroli Singing Award will be announced at the Africa Voices Trust Programme Gala Event in April 2015, following an independent panel audition and interview of potential candidates. For more information about the Bayerische Staatsoper, visit: www.staatsoper.de

3 September 2014
ZEBRA & GIRAFFE FOR THE AFRICA VOICES TRUST
- Tecla Ciolfi, Texx & The City

The Africa Voices Trust is proud to present their annual gala concert featuring award winning programme graduates Zebra & Giraffe, who will be performing a unique unplugged and “stripped down” show including new material off their latest release “Knuckles”.
Africa has talent. It has an abundant wealth of exciting musical talent that needs to be nurtured. The Africa Voices Trust is a non-profit organization created to support the development of highly talented and deserving young African musicians and singers across all styles & genres. The primary goal of the Trust is to identify, educate and grow future stars and to empower them to create financially sustainable and meaningful careers.
Africa Voices do not just aim to teach the participants valuable skills; but to identify and nurture leadership potential, to support entrepreneurial spirit and to actively inspire and empower them to take responsibility for their role as future standard bearers in the growth of the African Music Industry. There is no academic requirement to gain entry to the programme.
All proceeds of the Gala Concert will go towards the work of the Africa Voices Trust in continuing to facilitate these development opportunities for South Africa’s musical talent.
Support a worthy cause and witness a fantastic show simultaneously!

6 July 2014
APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN FOR 2014 DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME IN OPERA AND MUSICAL THEATRE

The Africa Voices Trust seeks potential participants in Opera & Musical Theatre that come highly recommended by music industry professionals.The 2014 Programme is structured to build upon knowledge and experience already gained by dedicated up and coming artists in the genre of Opera & Musical Theatre. The Africa Voices Programme is a “master class” to fast-track and elevate talented local artists to international standards and will be valuable to both individuals who have gained experiential skills, and individuals who have pursued academic studies in this field.Both Opera and Musical Theatre are live performance based genres, and so the programme will be focussed on refining live performance skills as well as training participants to function as effective, professional artists in this often high stress and audition-based world. Both genres require of artists to be able to work in many different environments, and so participants need to be prepared for a very intense and high level programme - designed to prepare them to work anywhere in the world, under the most challenging career conditions possible.The programme is seeking recommendations of potential participants that come highly recommended by respected individuals and entities within the creative industry – we would like to invite you to let us know of someone you feel is showing great promise, someone you believe in and who has the potential to develop into a standard-bearer as an artist with the right guidance and support.

There is no academic requirement that needs to have been achieved to gain entry to the programme – unlike many other professions, musical talent and potential are not effectively determined by academic accomplishment alone. However successful vocalists must display remarkable musical talent, execution, charisma and ambition distinguishing them from hundreds of applicants. Selection is not only based on musical talent - Africa Voices candidates must display creative energy, a drive to succeed and the courage to hold themselves to the highest standards.Participation in the programme itself is at no cost to successful applicants as funds for these expenses are raised by the Africa Voices Trust. The programme will consist of 8 to 12 young lead singers. All voice types are welcome.
Prospective candidates will need to be formally nominated by either a music professional or an educational or other music institution by means of submitting a recommendation form. Initial selection is made from all received recommendation forms, upon which selected artists will be contacted to submit a participant application form as well as a motivational essay. Once all participant applications have been reviewed, a shortlist of prospective candidates will be required to attend a live audition and interview in front of an independent panel of judges.The closing date for recommendations is 18 July 2014.

29 May 2014
GRADUATE & AMBASSADOR LANA CROWSTER SELECTED TO LEAD MENTORSHIP FOR INTERNATIONAL SONGSTRESS LAURA BURHENN

We are proud to endorse Africa Voices graduate Lana Crowster, who has been chosen to facilitate and lead a vocal ensemble which will be backing the powerhouse songstress Laura Burhenn (Mynabirds, Postal Service & Bright Eyes) on her South African tour in 2014. Lana will be joining Burhenn in facilitating workshops with selected up and coming vocalists as part of an outreach project aimed at mentoring developing talent.

Laura Burhenn is an established singer songwriter from the United States and the dynamic front woman of the soul folk band The Mynabirds. She has also toured the world extensively as a member of indie mega bands The Postal Service and Bright Eyes. In her first visit to South Africa in July 2014, Laura will be performing in Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Grahamstown (National Arts Festival), The Cape Town World Music Festival and various other venues around the country.

As part of the tour initiative, Laura is collaborating with equally established homegrown songbirds (Inge Beckmann for the Cape Town performances, Shotgun Tori and Lucy Kruger for the Grahamstown performances and Eve Rakow in Johannesburg), as well as focusing on women from previously disadvantaged communities via a series of workshops in the areas she visits. This is part of a mentorship program in association with Lana Crowster, a graduate from the Africa Voices Trust.

 The Songbird Tour places emphasis on celebrating the creative woman. It is aimed at being a exchange that serves as an interaction between established international artists, up and coming South African performers and local talent within disadvantaged communities. The established acts are vibrant and successful female artists who have significantly contributed to their respective music scenes and will be using this tour as an opportunity to also interact with and inspire women at a grassroots level.

The mentorship programme is a pilot program that aims to uplift two singers from disadvantaged communities and gives them the opportunity to develop real experience in a tour environment. The One Fine Day directors along with the input of our Africa Voices graduate Lana Crowster and Laura Burhenn will select two candidates. These two talented, yet inexperienced, stage performers will then be trained on an ongoing period for a month prior to the tour with the focus on learning the songs and the requirements of the performances as well as coaching in stagecraft. Much of this training will take place in Cape Town under the guidance of The Africa Voices Trust graduate Lana Crowster with Laura Burhenn and our other South African Tour Songbirds overseeing their development and training, either face to face or via Skype. Once Laura Burhenn arrives in Cape Town she will start intensive workshop sessions for 3 days prior to the beginning of the tour.

25 April 2014
PROJECT ROOM FOUNDER TAKES UP AFRICA VOICES TRUST DIRECTORSHIP

As of April 2014, Jessica Schnehage, while still remaining fully committed and active within The Project Room, will additionally take up the role of Managing Director of the Africa Voices Trust.
Says Jessica about the opportunity: “Through my years of being involved in the music industry, the one thing I have come across repeatedly is the frustration that artists in South Africa endure on a daily basis. Having been witness to the transformative process that the Africa Voices Trust facilitates, I take up this directorship with a great sense of responsibility, excitement for the direction in which the Trust is headed, and look very much forward to creating an increasingly beneficial environment within which we can empower our program participants – enhancing their own experience. It is my hope that they will, as others have done in the past, use this invaluable wisdom, as well as a growing trust in their own abilities, to empower others. I feel an immense sense of gratitude for finally having been given the means with which to contribute to alleviating the frustration in our industry, even if just a little. And I have no doubt that the impact that this Trust has the potential to make, over time and with patience, will change the face of our music industry for the better.”