Amanzimtoti songbird hits the right notes
She was selected to represent Africa at Talent America in New York.
Keely Crocker, 18, has excelled on the stage during lockdown. At the South African Talent Africa Nationals online competition. The Kingsway High School matric learner won the senior overall triple threat award for singing, acting and dancing. She received nine gold medals for singing and acting, a silver for dancing, two special awards for top 10 singer and actor, and the best mic technique award.
“I screamed with excitement and jumped out of my chair (when I heard my results at Talent Africa). I was absolutely thrilled to win the triple threat, as it is something I’ve worked hard on for six years.”
She was selected as a member of the South African team to represent Africa at Talent America in New York. She also qualified to represent South Africa at the Mediterranean Legends International Art Festival and Contest in Spain, as well as for the Euro team for the Euro Dance Fest in Croatia.
Unfortunately all these competitions have been put on hold and she doesn’t hold much hope they will go ahead. “I would love to attend them, especially Talent America, but with the pandemic affecting international travel, plus the huge cost to travel overseas, it is unlikely I will be able to.”
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Keely also entered the Project Performer National online competition and was a finalist with her own song ‘Away’. She received the following industry professional judges choice awards: Three track demo recording; three masterclass sessions on vocals and guitar; a masterclass singer and songwriter session; and a book ‘Acting in South Africa’ by Sir Roel Twinjstra.
“I have written many of my own songs. I really wish I could have them all produced and released, but it costs money. With winning the demo, hopefully after trials I can release something before the end of the year. I draw my inspiration from current situations happening in the news or in my life.”
She wrote and sent in her Learning Under Lockdown story to Professor Jonathan Jansen of the University of Cape Town and her story was one of 400 chosen from learners all over South Africa to be featured in his book to be published in August.
She wrote a poem that was used in the prefects’ back to school video and she created the tune, beats and chorus for Mrs Naidoo’s lockdown poems – one for teachers and one for learners.
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She wrote a song called ‘Hold On’ as a tribute to all the healthcare workers. She posted it on a social media platform, where it was seen by a representative of the UN Migration Department who asked for permission to use it on their page, supporting migrants during the pandemic, where it has received over 220 000 views.
Then if that was not enough, she entered a national online talent competition called Starz At Home, with six judges from the performing arts industry. She placed third overall senior winner, but was the only singer in the top three, with the top two places going to an actor and dancer.
From this competition, organisors were contacted to put on a virtual showcase with the winners from the various categories for the National Arts Festival (previously known as the Grahamstown Arts Festival). Starz on Stage was filmed at the Hilton College Theatre. Keely is excited to have been accepted at AFDA Durban to do a bachelor of arts degree in live performance after she matriculates.
“This pandemic has had far reaching affects all over the world, bringing loss of lives and livelihood to so many. It has taught me the importance of health workers and all those who put their lives at risk. It has taught me empathy and compassion. It has made me appreciate my family and friends, whom I miss so much. It has also opened my eyes to the extreme poverty of our people.
“For the matric class of 2020, this should have been our year. Instead I never got to serve my school with pride as deputy head girl. The school musical that I was producing with my team was called off and our matric dance was cancelled. We missed out on opportunities like walking proudly on the hockey pitch with our parents for our final match and the last chance to be selected for KZN sports teams.
“But all this seems insignificant when I realised how stressed we were, trying to catch up on missed school days when there were less fortunate matrics who didn’t have the means like a tablet and internet to do any schoolwork – how hard it must be for them to catch up. It’s been quite stressful (keeping up with my schoolwork). I think I have, as best I can, but it hasn’t been easy. Working by yourself versus learning in a classroom environment with a teacher at your side has been a different and difficult way of learning.
Well done to all the teachers who kept their learners up to date under very difficult circumstances. “To the class of 2020 everywhere, I will always remember this year as the year of self-discipline, self-respect, self-leadership and self-isolation. Good luck. We can do this!”
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