Hard work ensures a bright future for teen singer

YOUNG singer, Reece van Schalkwyk (15) us carving a musical career out for himself through hard work and sheer determination.

The teen said his passion for singing started when he was four years old. “I used to enjoy listening to orchestral and meaningful music which touched me and made me feel alive.”

“My parents sang in the praise and worship team at church and I would go and sing with them. I wasn't scared to go up on stage, and that courage is where it started,” he said.

Reece, whose favourite music is smooth jazz and pop, went on to perform his first major gig at Durban Christian Centre when he was nine. His performance was uploaded to YouTube.

“It started growing from there and it got a lot of likes. I recorded my first album, Destined to Win, on iTunes when I was 10,” he said.

He is particularly proud of the fact that he opened for Jay Sean when he was 10 years old.

The youngster's music has also had a therapeutic and healing affect on him. According to Reece's mother, Laverne, her son was very closed off over his father's death, but making the album had helped. “Reece's song, Do You Hear, helped him open up about this experience,” she said.

In 2011 Reece auditioned for a part in a theatre production at the Elizabeth Sneddon Theatre, Can you feel it, which began opening doors for the young musician.

“Evan Roberts got hold of me after that production and I got to perform at my first real event, the AmaZulu Football Club awards evening. From there I began performing at big corporate events for Telkom, at the Moses Mabhida Stadium and government events like the GO! Durban launch,” he said.

In 2014 Reece won the senior singing category at the Gateway to Fame talent search competition.

Reece said he was using 2015 to focus on promoting his YouTube channel and his reality show called The Van Der Byls Reality Show.

“I want to increase publicity, promote myself more, make more videos and use social media more. My reality show is lots of fun. My family has so much potential and I taught myself how to use a video editing programme to create funny footage. When I'm on my laptop, I'm not wasting time, I am doing something beneficial to help make a living,” he said.

“Reece is so focused. He is a hard worker and is not a freeloader. I am so proud of him! When I see what he's been through in his short life, most adults wouldn't be able to come out with the work ethic and attitude he has. He has taken the pain and turned into a more beautiful human. He sings every day from morning to night, I have to tell him to give me and his brothers a break!” said Laverne.

Reece's other hobbies are playing the piano and he is also a good sketch artist.

Evan Roberts from Makulu Events, said: “I have worked with many young performers over the years, but I have never encountered one who is as self-possessed. He has a maturity of spirit beyond his years and an admirable dedication to his craft. I believe he has a bright future and certainly holds the flame high on behalf of tomorrow's generation.”