Miyako Piyoos wanted to develop her singing further. Music lessons led to an introduction to the Federation of Performing Arts South Africa (FPASA), followed by regional auditions in August.

Two months later, the Curro Secunda Grade 9 learner had collected four medals at the Talent Africa Nationals, been recognised among the country’s Top 10 vocal performers and earned selection for the South African national team.

That selection will take her considerably further from home in 2027. Miyako is due to compete in Spain, France, Italy and Monaco during the July holidays.

Developing her voice

Miyako’s progress through Talent Africa began at regional level in Witbank.

She entered two solo vocal performances and received High Gold for both. Curro Secunda describes High Gold as the highest award level at that stage, requiring a score above 85%.

Those results qualified her for the Talent Africa National competition at the Roodepoort Theatre. They also followed another strong vocal result earlier in the year, when Miyako scored above 90% in the Sing It! category of Curro Create Arts Superhero.

Her performances therefore arrived at Talent Africa Nationals after a year in which she had already tested her singing in different competitive settings.

Four performances, four national medals

The national competition brought another step up.

Competing during the main programme from 29 September to 4 October, Miyako earned three gold medals and one platinum medal across her vocal performances.

Her results also earned her an invitation to the Special Awards Ceremony, where she was recognised as one of the Top 10 vocal performers in South Africa.

Talent Africa assesses performers on aspects of their performance that include technique and stage presence, with its national competition forming part of a pathway through which selected performers can progress to international competition.

For Miyako, the national results opened precisely that door.

She has now been selected for the South African team that will compete internationally in 2027. The planned route will take performers through four European countries during the mid-year holidays.

Curro Secunda also reports that Miyako has been awarded her South African Colours by FPASA.

The next stage is international

The move from regional auditions to international selection has happened within a single competition season.

Miyako started with two High Gold results in Witbank, progressed to nationals and returned with four medals. The Top 10 recognition then accompanied her selection for the South African team.

That progression also explains why the 2027 trip carries significance beyond another performance opportunity. It will be the next level in a sequence that began with Miyako deciding she wanted to improve her singing.

Curro Secunda has followed that progress from her regional performances through to national selection.

The school says, ‘We wish you every success as you prepare to showcase your talent on the international stage.’

For Miyako, that stage will next stretch from Spain through France and Monaco to Italy, with her place on the South African team already secured.