Talented teens’ love for music outshines differences
Neither can read nor write music, but they are naturally gifted
THE competitive nature of their friendship is leading to the success of a performing duo of Kingsway High School pupils.
Shaun Schoeman (15) and Tristan Dale (16) are polar opposites in many ways, but their love of music has earned them a gold medal in performing arts at Talent Africa.
“I like pop music, while Tristan prefers classical,” said Shaun. “My dream job is to play music, but for Shaun it’s more of a hobby. He wants to go into computers after school,” quipped Tristan.
After they claimed gold at the national competition, the grade 10 pupils opted to perform on the Sinfonia cruise ship in April as a cheaper alternative than paying to fly to the bright lights of New York as part of their prize.
“We both play guitar and met at Warner Beach Prep at the end of grade 7. We would sit and teach each other songs. My grandparents gave me a cheap organ when I was younger and I learnt to play it,” said Shaun.
“When I learnt how to play it, we were determined to better each other. We are both very competitive,” explained Tristan.
Neither can read nor write music, but they are naturally gifted and can quickly learn a melody after listening to it.
When they improvised a song, their music teacher filmed them performing it and sent it to the Talent Africa organisers. They liked it so much, they fast-tracked the boys into the finals and the rest is history.
“We always perform together at competitions,” they said. “We play by ear and what we learn from watching videos. We started music lessons only eight months ago.”
Shaun has composed some of his own songs, but quickly admits he struggles to write lyrics.
Both have now set their sights on earning school colours at the Talent Africa regionals in Johannesburg in three months’ time. If they continue to push each other for the better, the world is theirs for the taking for this duo of talented teens.
