Jade Sillands’s angelic voice will be resonating at the Roodepoort Theatre next month to raise funds for her trip to France.
She has been awarded with a partial scholarship to study at the FavaOpera for six weeks starting in July.
The 27-year-old is no stranger to travelling. In 2013, she attended the International Model and Talent Convention in New York where she won first place in the female vocal category for singers 18 and older.
Jade started singing at a young age as part of the Anglican Church Choir in Linden where she learnt how to read music.
In grade 9, one of her choir teachers suggested she transfer to an art school. She enrolled at the Pretoria School of Arts where she did piano and singing as her major subjects.
“I started singing in school choirs but I got my real start at the church where I learned a lot. I didn’t know my voice was that good so when my school teacher suggested I go to an art school I was surprised. And even at the art school, they encouraged me to take singing as a major,” said Jade.
She then took a year off after high school before enrolling at the Cape Town Opera School for a year-and-a-half.
“Things in the mother city did not work out for me because I missed home and I lost a bit of focus. I decided to come back home,” said Jade.
After returning from Cape Town, she spent time working odd jobs but she was unhappy.
“My mother saw how unhappy I was with not continuing with my studies so I enrolled at the University Of Tshwane Opera School,” she said.
She was given contact details for FavaOpera in France by her classmate.
She had to send musical pieces as part of her audition. She impressed the judging committee so much that she was offered a partial scholarship by the school.
She will be the only South African representative at the school this year.
The concert she will be hosting at the Roodepoort Theatre on 28 April and 23 June will have a variety of musical guests that focus on different musical genres.
“I’m inviting my friends who are talented in various musical genres so this will not be a typical opera concert,” said Jade.
One of Jade’s goals is to bring opera to the community and raise its profile.
“Because I feel that they are not aware that this avenue is open to them. So I would maybe want to teach opera to my community. I take inspiration from my mother because she allowed me to follow my dream and is the reason I am here today. When things were tough for me, she was there to pick me up and help me through,” said Jade.
Jade will be graduating in May this year and currently gives classes at the Figures Models and Talent based in Krugersdorp.
Ticket sales are open at R150. Too book contact Jade Sillands on 076 770 4188 or email to jsillands@ymail.com
