WATCH: 16-year-old opera sensation singing her way to the top
“This was my very first experience with a full symphony orchestra, I was blown away and realised this is what I wanted to do with my life.
At 16-years-old, Erin Beck, a learner at Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool is probably one of Pretoria’s youngest talents and shining stars at the moment.
She has participated in programmes and concerts like Solis vir Christus, a national singing competition on Kyknet, the Mayford Spring Concert when she was specially invited by conductor Richard Cock, Paul Vonk and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. She has even shared the stage with talents like Burgerd Botha, Andrew Gilbert and Jean-Pierre Calitz.
“This was my very first experience with a full symphony orchestra, I was blown away and realised this is what I wanted to do with my life,” Beck told Rekord.
Beck was still very young when she started singing.
“I started singing at the tender age of seven. At this stage, it was merely an after-school activity and hobby. As time progressed I got more intrigued with classical singing and realised this is where my passion lies.
“Now I have a professional operatic vocal coach, Mauri Mostert, who teaches me the fundamentals and endurance required to become a true opera singer,” she says.
“I have learned the importance of music theory and I’m working very hard to obtain the required grades in music for university acceptance.”
From there on Richard Cock also invited her to sing in the 2018 Johannesburg RMB Starlight Classics production, produced by Darren Hayward.
“I sang ‘Nessun Dorma’ and received a standing ovation – I was over the moon. At this event I had the privilege to meet one of South Africa’s own opera singers – Elza van den Heever, a big honour indeed,” she says.
In 2019 Richard Cock again invited Beck to perform with Bongani Kubheka and the Eastern Cape Philharmonic orchestra at the St Francis Hospice “Last night of the Proms” in Port Elizabeth.
“Once again this was confirmation what I want to do for the rest of my life.
“Thanks to Niel Schoembee, I made an appearance as guest artist in their Krone 5 shows. I sang the soprano part of ‘Barcelona’ along with Serenade and Nicholis Louw. I still can’t believe that I performed in front of 8 000 people,” she said.
Beck says that although her career has been an extraordinary journey, she remained extremely humbled by the opportunities that she has been given.
“At this point in my career, I can’t say that I feel like these are achievements, I rather feel like they are great opportunities and I am eternally grateful for them.
“I have had the amazing opportunity to be part of the 1 000 member choir event, ‘The Capital Singers’.”
This project was conducted by Michael Barrett and Christo Burger from the University of Pretoria and produced by Janine Neethling.
“I had the honour to share the stage with Vicky Sampson, Joseph Clark and Elvis Blue. I sang ‘Barcelona’ with the phenomenal Joseph Clark. What an experience, as I learned so much from these artists.
“Johan Heystek’s ‘Haya Halleluja’ Easter production was also a new and great experience for me as it was a mixture between classical and contemporary music. I shared the stage with Sonja Herholdt, Dozi, Jak de Priester, Themba Maseko and Marlee van der Merwe.”
In her spare time, Beck loves to paint or participate in any artistic activity, and listen to her favourite opera singers, Anna Netrebko and Leontyne Price.
Beck told Rekord that hearing criticism towards her passion and career choice can be daunting to deal with sometimes.
“I hear comments like ‘Singing is not a career’, ‘What if you hurt your voice?’, ‘Only the best will make it’, ‘There are no guarantees’ all the time and I underwent quite a lot of career possibilities, but my instincts tell me to follow my heart and study opera.”
She aims to save up every cent she makes with her performances, to make her dream of studying opera, a reality.
“Due to the pandemic and national lockdown, performances have been scarce, but I aim to get back to performing as soon as I can to save up for my studies.”
When it comes to family, Beck says that her parents and older sibling, as well as her grandmother, remains her biggest supporters.
“If at all possible, I would love to attend the Juilliard school of Music in New York. I want to be the best version I can be of myself and always stay true to myself.
“My ultimate dream is to be able to sing in the most amazing opera houses around the globe and share this beautiful art form with the world and to be a proud ambassador of South Africa,” she said.
Watch Erin Beck sing along Nicholas Louw and Serenade:
Watch Erin Beck sing along Joseph Clark and 1000 stem Capital Singers choir:
