Vocalist, composer, actress and dancer Ncamisa Nqana knew from a young age that she was destined to be a music star.
The Mamelodi-born artist, who calls herself A Bird with Melodies, has been slowly building her solo profile performing in different events and opening for different music stars. Nqana, who is also a dancer, is one of the rising stars who are getting mileage by being featured in the South African State Theatre YouTube channel. The channel started last year to give theatre patrons a chance to enjoy shows from the comfort of their home.
The channel features plays, live music performances by solo artists and concerts by different groups. The 29-year-old says the lockdown affected her plans last year as she was involved in three productions that were stopped.
You’ve been singing professionally for the past 10 years, when are you planning to release a full album?
I have been singing professionally for a while and backed different artists. In 2014, I decided to go solo and began performing my own music that I have composed just to test the waters. I’ve realised that you cannot just release an album if you are not a well-known star. I wanted people to know about me and my music first before I can drop a full album. But again, I did not want to just release an album, I wanted to tell stories of my life through music. I do that to share my story and to show people that we all go through the same experiences in life.
What first got you into music ?
Firstly, I come from a musical background with my mother being a composer and singer. She would compose songs and teach us the music when we were younger. We then performed the music at family gatherings. My mother then sent me to classical training in Mamelodi. When I started doing training, I fell in love with music and I knew this is what I wanted to do.
Have you achieved a lot through music?
Since 2009 I have won numerous awards in different choral competitions, including the National Eisteddfod and Unisa Youth competitions. I was a semifinalist for Esp Young Legends 2016 and won the Unisa Voice competition in 2017. In 2010, I enrolled at MC Art at The South African State Theatre (SAST). I felt that it was not enough and I went to Tshwane University of Technology in 2011 to study jazz and popular music, but I dropped out in the middle. Then I began backing other artists like Tribute Birdie Mboweni and others.
Where have you performed as a solo artist?
After winning Puisano Live Band Audition in 2018 under the Gauteng sport, arts, culture and recreation department I had the opportunity to perform with the band in different festivals like the National Arts Festival in Makhanda. I was then featured at the Standard Bank Joy of Jazz in 2018 and further performed at Arnold Sport Festival (2019) in Sandton and Mangaung African Cultural Music Festival (Macufe). It was a great experience indeed for me.
You have been featured in a number of theatre musicals lately, are you changing the scope of your career?
In 2017, I started falling in love with musical theatre. I then decided to audition for Freedom –The Musical by Aubrey Sekhabi at SAST. I got in, and it was a great experience to be introduced to a new world of dance, and acting. As an artist you have to know everything so that you don’t limit your opportunities. After that production I did The Musical Journey which was directed by Luyanda Sidiya. In 2018, I was involved in another musical that went to China.
What else are you busy with?
I’m a vocal coach and I hold private vocal sessions for artists. I want to add scriptwriting and directing under my belt. I have a brand accessory range called BirdWorks Accessories.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.