VIDEO: Local talent hits international stage

She may only be 10 years old, but Luyolo Matyolo is ready to see her name in lights.
Luyolo lives in Bryanston and has been attending the Upstage Concepts studio, located at the Dainfern Square Shopping Centre, since she was five years old to learn performing arts, dancing and singing. On 7 July she will be jetting off to Long Beach, America to compete in the World Championships of Performing Arts against other youngsters from 62 countries around the world.

“Luyolo is a talented actress and singer, and she does modelling as well,” explained Jill Avis, owner of Upstage Concepts and one of Luyolo’s coaches.
“She’s been competing in the SA Championships [of performing arts] for about four years now, where she has done spectacularly, so this year she was invited to participate in the world championships.

“She is very talented and very hardworking. She practises here multiple days a week and also works at home. It’s amazing to watch her come alive on stage.”
During the championships, Luyolo will be competing in 12 items – six in acting and six in singing. Each item cannot be longer than 60 seconds. The competition is also an opportunity for young performers to learn more about their crafts during a Worldstars Boot Camp – a full-day of comprehensive performing arts seminars and workshops given exclusively by top industry experts.

“For her drama items, she’ll be doing pieces in a number of categories including monologues, duo performances with some of the six other Upstage kids going, and also comedic pieces which she is so good at,” added Avis. “For her singing items, she’ll be performing in styles such as gospel and pop.”

For Luyolo, the prospect of being on the international stage is both exciting and nerve-wrecking. “It’s a chance for me to do what I love,” she told the Fourways Review.

“I enjoy performing because it boosts my confidence and helps me with my diction.”