Maja makes moves in Los Angeles

Update Video

GEORGE NEWS & VIDEOS - Sixteen-year-old Maja Snyman wears the crown for the Senior Instrumental division of the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Maja won this sought after title on 4 August, in Los Angeles, where her talented performance on violin and piano won her the title.

In this category she also competed against adults. In total she participated in eight events: five on violin, two vocal events and one with piano. Maja won the division award for her rock piano performance.

Her prize is a paid-for trip to Los Angeles for next year's WCOPA.

Overseas attention

According to Maja's mother Annerie Snyman, who accompanied her daughter overseas, two agents - Hit Music Productions and Indasoul Entertainment - as well as the New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts, approached Maja while being abroad.

"They all showed interest in working with her. Maja was also offered a partial scholarship by the Conservatory," said Annerie.

"The well-known music producer Manny Mijares of Hit Music offered Maja a contract to develop her as an artist. This is a very promising opportunity, but we now have to raise the funds. It will cost R340 000 to meet their fee of $18 000," said Annerie.

"This will include three songs written for her, two music videos, a tour and an artist development programme. This exact opportunity was given to the South African vocalist Stefan Benz, as well as the drummer Caleb Bediako who is originally from Pretoria."

"Agents and producers said she is unbelievably talented, with a stage presence and an ability to perform that grabs the audience's attention and that she has 'the look'." Some of the advice includes making herself more visible on TikTok and other social media platforms.

In total she participated in eight events: five events on violin, two vocal events and one with piano.

Maja's talented performance on violin won her gold.

Two worlds

This talented Grade 11 learner lives on Voorbrug Farm in the Great Brak area, but receives her schooling in George at McKinley Reid International School in Blanco.

As the overall winner of the South African Championships of Performing Arts (Sacopa) last year, Maja's prize included a fully funded tour to Los Angeles for this year's world championships in July.

Other performers from the Garden Route such as Christo Esterhuizen, Anushka Henning, Veronique Ferndale and Brandon Swart have also been selected for the South African team, but Maja was the only one from the Southern Cape who attended the world champs.

"The costs associated with such an event are often difficult to achieve," said Maja's mom.

Her prize is a paid-for trip to Los Angeles for next year's WCOPA.

Both George Herald and Mossel Bay Advertiser covered the run up to this prestigous event. Maja said being a musician and vocalist took many hours of practice, perseverance and devotion. One of Maja's major inspirations is the American violinist, songwriter, and dancer Lindsey Stirling, who performs in a variety of styles and genres.

In one of her vocal items, Maja surprises the audience with her performance of "Ave Maria" when a supposed "fault" slips in the backtracks, changing the music to the lively Beatle song "Come Together". Maja doesn't miss a beat, strips off her evening gown and plays away in funky leather pants.

This talented Grade 11 learner lives on Voorbrug Farm in the Great Brak area, but receives her schooling in George at McKinley Reid International School in Blanco.

Interview with Maja

An interview today on the YouTube channel Group Editors Live will give Maja the opportunity to share some of the highlights of this very exciting adventure in person.

VIDEO - Vocals: Ave Maria / Come Together: