3 minute read
Caroline Kite
Anabelle Van Wyk
Year 7 – National finalist in Take the Mic Australia
More than any other art form, music truly has the power to make us feel good. Whilst the tribulations of 2020 created many challenges for musicians and artists, we have welcomed and encouraged the different ways in which performers have been able to share their talents and spread that good feeling that music induces.
Hailing from Alectown, north of Parkes in the Central West, Year 7 student Anabelle van Wyk is an emerging performer, singer, saxophonist, violinist and pianist who has not let the COVID-19 restrictions stop her from performing and doing what she does best.
“My parents say that I’ve been singing forever! I first remember singing in a choir in Kindy, performing solo in Year 3 as part of my primary school musical theatre productions and I started learning saxophone when I was in Year 4. From then on, I’ve been performing as much as possible,” said Anabelle.
If you’ve ever wandered the bustling streets of Parkes during their Elvis Festival or you’ve been to the Regional Busking Championships in Peak Hill, you may have already heard Anabelle’s soulful vocals or sax melodies in the streets.
“I first started busking in Year 4 at the National Busking Championships,” said Anabelle. “Before COVID-19 I was regularly busking at cafes and around town. I enjoy experimenting with different genres of music to see what I like, and the pocket money is nice too!”
Last year, Anabelle qualified for the Australian National Busking Championships Grand Final to be held in Cooma after her exceptional performance
Anabelle van Wyk
at the Regional Finals in Peak Hill. In November 2019, she headed to Cooma with her family to sing and play sax atop of an old farm truck – a dream come true for the musician. Unfortunately, in 2020, the championships had to be cancelled due to COVID-19 restrictions but Anabelle hopes to continue busking in the competition once restrictions ease. “It is so fun seeing the other musicians perform and grow each year and I just love being able to bring joy to others whilst doing what I love!” Anabelle said.
During lockdown this year, Anabelle was made aware of an online competition for singers and musicians, something a little left of field for her but an opportunity to perform nonetheless.
“I learnt about Take the Mic Australia through some fellow musicians. I had to send in a video of me performing which the judges critiqued and then in Round 2 the judges decided who would go through to the State Final based on another performance video. I then made it through to the National Final by popular vote,” said Anabelle. “I really enjoyed this as it wasn’t anything I had ever done before – I had only ever done live competitions and performances!”
With one online competition under her belt, Anabelle was eager to continue finding new ways to share her talents and set her sights on the Sydney Eisteddfod international online competition for singers, musicians, dancers and actors.
“This was a great opportunity brought on by COVID-19, “Anabelle said. “I took a chance entering as I knew it was an international competition with only an open division – almost 600 acts were entered! I created a mix of three songs on the sax and surprisingly was selected by the judges as a Quarter Finalist – top 33 – I couldn’t believe it!”
Offstage, Anabelle says she enjoys tennis and at school prefers maths and languages. “I remember having always loved Maths as I love solving problems. I am also bilingual but would really like to be trilingual! I’m currently learning how to speak a native African language called Xhosa in my spare time.”
