[LISTEN] Vocalist to lend her voice to Gathering’s pipe bands

Kingsway High School’s Keely Crocker will add her sultry vocals to the Scottish pipe bands again at the 54th annual Highland Gathering, which is to be hosted by Amanzimtoti Lions at Hutchison Park on Saturday, 28 April.

Keely looks forward to singing with the pipers, which the hardworking all-rounder says is a highlight on her calendar. “It’s a fun day and I appeal to the local community to support the Lions’ worthy cause.”

The SUN caught up with Keely to find out what she has been up to lately.

Keely received a call-back after auditioning for the International Arts Talent Showcase in Johannesburg in October, with international talent scout Kim Myers asking her to represent SA at the Applause Rising Talent Showcase in Orlando, Florida in July.

Sadly, Keely’s home was destroyed by the October 2017 storm that hit Amanzimtoti. She lost everything near and dear to her, along with her dream to travel to Orlando. The family have been living with her grandparents for the past six months while their home undergoes repairs.

Even during these trying times, she continued to work hard and was recently awarded a merit certificate at her school’s academic awards prize-giving for obtaining an above 80% aggregate for grade 9. She scooped seven distinctions, which entitles her to wear the school’s academic tie.

This year, the grade 10 pupil is in the first hockey team and has just returned from the Southern Cape Sports Festival tour during the Easter school holidays. Last term, she was actively involved in the swimming squad, competed in athletics trials at Kings Park, played indoor hockey and was selected to the water polo first team. This term she is playing basketball, continuing with field hockey and in August she will compete in a level four gymnastics KZN competition.

Keely also sang at her school’s Valentine’s Day Carnival and school’s open day, as well as various other functions.

“We are currently rehearsing for my school’s musical, ‘65 Years of Magic’ from 18 to 20 July, where I will sing a solo plus some group songs, and I have a few acting scenes. At the end of April I will compete at Talent Africa nationals, as I qualified in October at regionals by winning gold for all my items and was awarded Overall Best Performer in my age group.

I am very excited to be singing in the ‘Born to Perform’ gala concert in September at Gold Reef City’s Lyric Theatre.

I took part in their show in December 2016 and sang with 2015 Idols star Lloyisa Gijani and SA artist Louise Carver. What an amazing experience.

Another highlight of my year is auditioning for the Young Performers Project. I had so much fun with ‘Footloose’ last year and ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ the year before.”