Girl sings Hayley song at Sanremo Junior 2016 World Finals

[Libby]

I found this article about a young South African girl who recently performed Dark Waltz at this event:

fourwaysreview.co.za/232681/pupil-puts-south-africa-on-the-map/

Pupil puts South Africa on the map


SINGING SENSATION: Nicole du Plessis.


Dainfern College pupil, Nicole du Plessis (10), recently became the first South African to compete at the prestigious Sanremo Junior 2016 World Finals soloist singing competition on 4 May.

Du Plessis was one of 20 singers selected from all over the world and competed directly with 11 other singers in her age category, which was the 10- to 12-year-old group.

The finalists from more than 1 000 entries from around the world were selected by a jury.

Although being a stand-alone competition, Sanremo Junior now is in its eighth year and runs concurrently with the World Festival of Creativity in Schools which has, for the past 18 years, been held in Sanremo, Italy.

Proceedings started with an official press conference where the contestants were introduced to the officials and media, followed by two rehearsals with the Sanremo Symphony Orchestra, an official Italian government-sponsored orchestra.

Du Plessis received a standing ovation from the orchestra during her rehearsal.

The big night was on 4 May when all 20 singers performed in the famous Ariston Theatre.

Her mom Sonette said, “The performances were of an exceedingly high quality and one was awestruck by the talent on display.”

Du Plessis performed Dark Waltz by Hayley Westenra and received a special mention for her performance from the panel of adjudicators, which included several well-known Italian musicians.

Although she did not win in her category, the young singer thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

[Libby]

I found a video of her singing it somewhere else recently. It's certainly very nice for a child, but not what I'd call amazing. Her high notes were a bit surprising, as she wasn't singing that high throughout the song (no higher than Hayley does, anyway), until she reached the higher notes. When she reached the higher notes of the chorus, it startled me a bit, because one second she was singing "normally", then suddenly she was very, very high, too high, I think. It almost sounded as if it was the wrong note, or possibly an octave higher than the rest of what she was singing, but I'm not good enough with musical terms to know if that's actually true. I only listened to the first half, though. You'll have to listen to it to understand what I mean. And I'm only sharing this because I like the fact that she sang Hayley's song, not that I think she's the next biggest star... yet. LOL

[martindn]

I thought she struggled a bit with the high notes. And she needs to get her breathing right too, but I'm sure she can sort that out with the right coaching. I didn't think the notes she was attempting were any different to the ones Hayley sings. It's just that she didn't quite hit them as accurately as we are used to hearing Hayley do. But as you say Libby, a good effort for a youngster.

Martin D

[Libby]

The reason I thought the notes weren't quite right was that it sounded like a huge jump in notes, or maybe it was just the tone she used. I think maybe she was trying too hard. I'm sure she will improve with time and voice lessons, as you say.