Local performers head for the states
Seventy-two South African artists in training, eight of whom attend the Anua School of Music and Performing Arts, in Northmead, have proved their worth in the performing arts by being selected to attend the Applause Rising Talent Showcase (Arts) convention, in Orlando, in the United States of America, later this month.
They were scouted and trained by Nico Goosen, principal director of Anua and vocal and performance coach for the International Talent Show’s (ITS) pre-arts expo boot camps, the New York Film Academy, Just You Agency, On Broadway and Arts Expo Orlando, along with his talent crew.
These students completed nine months of gruelling training and are ready to deliver the results of their hard work to leading talent scouts abroad.
In order to secure an invitation to the expo, a three-step programme had to be completed by the students.
They had to be scouted, after enrolling for a programme named Live Scouting Events, held by Goosen and his talent crew.
After being successfully scouted, some training and another audition in Anua’s Rising Stars live theatre environment, in front of Elsubie de Lange, regional director of Arts Expo (Africa) and the exclusive South African agent for the New York Film Academy, followed.
The last step was a performance in front of one of the world’s biggest talent and model scouts, Kim Myers, during the annual ITS, usually held in Monte Casino, towards each year-end, where they could be hand-picked by de Lange to receive an invitation to the expo.
Upon completion of the scouting programme, their nine-month journey commenced.
Goosen said this included hands-on training in the acting, singing, modelling and dancing categories, and involved two boot-camps and a photo shoot.
These deserving performers have completed their training and look forward to heading to New York on June 22.
Arts is a family-owned and operated international organisation.
Including performers from Australia and America, a total of 800 to 1 000 performers will complete a week of intense training, in the presence of top major studio executives, international modelling agents and recording companies, such as Universal and Disney Studios, The New York Film Academy and Sony/ BMG Entertainment, among many others.
This will include training at the New York Film Academy’s head campus and will continue in Orlando, where more intense hands-on training with the top industry professional agents will be completed.
They will each receive a contestant manual and participate in a strict schedule of challenges, and finally perform at a red carpet event.
Goosen said that after their return, which is set to be July 3, performers could potentially hear from agents within three to six months.
Scouting agents have to communicate through Just You Agency, which is the mother agency representing South Africa.
“They make sure the contracts are legit and will represent the artist for one year,” Goosen said.
He added that he felt truly proud of each and every one of his students.
“I am so excited; I always say ‘dream big, go international’,” said the passionate coach.
“We had the first audition with each student and walked a path with them.
“We formed our own family.”
He stressed that the the support of the students’ parents is vital.
“Students are here to grow into professional artists; if they have the dream and ambition, it doesn’t matter how long it takes, we will get them there,” he said.
Four of the eight students invited to the Arts Showcase were also accepted to attend training at the New York Film Academy.
Goosen said that, with dedication, discipline and commitment, for which the school stands, dreams will come true.
