Four talented songbirds from Danville Park Girls’ High School have sung their way to success in several competitions. Catherine Andrews spent time listening to the sweet sound of their voices.
More! More! More! From Bach to The Beatles to Beyoncé – this is the response whatever they sing. They have swept the boards in local and national talent competitions and carried off umpteen prizes for their musical ability. They are the Danville Divas – four learners at Danville Park Girls’ High School whose voices have impressed the judges in every competition they’ve entered. But while they are winners, they also have an unassuming, girl-next-door charm that makes them irresistible.
In August, Zola Myeza, 18, Jessica James, 16, Amanda Kunene, 16, and Jarene Moses, 14, took the first four places in the Hirsch Unleash the Talent competition in Umhlanga Ridge. A Danville clean sweep!
Amanda also won the Gateway to Fame competition hosted by the Barnyard Theatre, a win that gave her a spot in the Barnyard’s The Big Five show where she wowed audiences with Madonna’s Like a Prayer.
Jessica was a KwaZulu-Natal finalist of the Yamaha Young Talent competition, taking part in a show at Carnival City in Johannesburg in front of 5 000 people. Daunting – but most delightful.
But it is Zola Myeza who deserves the biggest applause for winning an ACT Dalro Nedbank Performing Arts Scholarship to a university of her choice to study an arts degree, as well as R5 000 in a Nedbank Arts Affinity Investment account.
“I was the only finalist from KwaZulu-Natal and the competition involved five days of rehearsals – singing, dancing and acting – in Johannesburg from 6am to 9pm,” she said. “The finals were at the Globe Theatre at Gold Reef City, where I sang Summer Loving from Grease and acted a monologue from Agnes of God. I also performed an African fusion dance sequence.
Winner
“When it was time to announce the winner, I was quite sure it would not be me. I heard my name being called but felt like I was dreaming – they had to call it again before I responded. Then I was really excited!”
Zola has not decided which university she’d like to attend, but she will study a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre and Performance. She says she’s inspired by Beyoncé for her “on-stage multi-tasking” – and her mom, Nhonho Myeza. Is she from a musical family? “No, it’s just me,” she laughs.
She’s also a songwriter, performing many of her own compositions, and a natural leader – a school prefect, captain of the Amagugu Singers (a group that sings ethnic and gospel music), president of the RCL (Representative Council for Learners) – and has just written matric.
“I get terribly nervous before going on stage, but as soon as I get into the character, I’m fine. I’m never completely happy with my performance – I’m a bit of a perfectionist.”
Bursting with pride
Of course the school is bursting with pride at the achievements of the Danville Divas.
“What we are so impressed with is their work ethic,” says deputy principal Glenda Goddard-Gill. “All of them are modest, grounded young ladies who are not only talented but who work with incredible focus to reach their goals.”
Kudos too go to the school’s head of music Torey Du Plessis, a Danville old girl, who trains the Danville Voices choir that is so well known for performing at events in the neighbourhood.
The girls are encouraged to extend themselves musically, and vibrant music and drama programmes add an exciting dimension to the school curriculum. Music is important at Danville, from school singing at official assemblies to the snatches of contemporary songs that float up from the grounds during breaks. The two choirs – the Amagugu Singers and the Danville Voices – have both won public acclaim, and the annual Danville musical raises the roof of the 43-year-old school.
One thing’s for sure – the Danville Divas are going places and we’ll be hearing a lot more from them.