Laerskool Impala learner Lisa Minnaar (12) participated in the Talent America Competition for the Arts in December.
She achieved first place for piano and fifth place for dancing.
According to her mom and teacher Chantie Minnaar, this young performer’s fingers are used to dancing on the piano, and dancing is food for her soul.
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“It was quite a challenge to qualify for this prestigious event. Lisa participated in the regional event of Talent Africa in February 2020. She was awarded her federation colours in dancing and piano, including her own composition and art. Lisa then continued to represent Gauteng at the Talent Africa Nationals in June last year,” Chantie said.
The national event was initially scheduled for the final week in March 2020. However, Covid-19 and the lockdown prevented this from happening.
“Melanie and Shawn Ashcroft, with their team of organisers at Talent Africa, were not derailed by this at all. They quickly rose to the challenge and announced that Talent Africa would be hosting virtual nationals in 2020 to keep the hopes and dreams of the performers alive, despite external forces at play.”
Lisa took to the challenge and excelled in piano, dancing and art. She also wrote and presented her own piano composition titled LOCKDOWN!
“She achieved a total of six gold medals and three silver medals at the nationals, which enabled her to enter Talent America 2020,” Chantie said.
The performers showcased their talents in front of an esteemed panel of judges and were judged on stage presence, technique, style, overall impression and originality.
Chantie added: “Talent America’s Tina Marie Holland and Garrett Steel were also not discouraged by the 2020 challenges and soon announced a virtual Talent America International Championship.”
Being the organisers of the 47th event of this calibre, they soon discovered the many challenges a virtual event of this magnitude holds. The 10 countries that participated were America, South Africa, Spain, England, Angola, Namibia, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Congo and Australia.
Lisa realised her dreams of being a performer thanks to the help and influences of a special team of people.
She is an avid piano student of Stage Bright Piano Studio’s branch in Kempton Park. She is also a talented dance student at The Dance Company South Africa, under the wings of Monique Badenhorst,” Lisa’s mother added.
She also adores moving in behind her art canvas with the guidance of Susan at Art4Heart Studio.
Lisa has now set her hopes on Talent Africa’s Team Africa to participate in the Stars of the Universe competition. This is an international cup for performing arts in which 30 countries are set to be represented at the official event that will be hosted in Poland in May.
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