When Elijza (Year 10) sings, people listen. Elizja can perform everything from classical pieces to musical scores and modern-day chart hits, and her vocal talents have now been recognised state and territory wide.
Elijza, 15, has won the Grade 5 Singing for Leisure Prize across South Australia and the Northern Territory, awarded by the prestigious Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB). She is the first student from Haileybury Rendall School to receive the highly-competitive award.
“I started formal singing in Year 2 and have been in the school choir ever since. I sing from the moment I wake up in the morning until I go to sleep at night — and possibly in my dreams,” says Elijza.
The AMEB exam focused on fluency, pitch, tonality and key with Elijza hitting the right notes in all four areas.
“My teacher first helped me develop my unique sound and she gave me songs to expand my vocal range and develop my technique. She fostered my ability and confidence to sing with emotion”Elijza
“I’m eclectic in the type of music I like — I like cabaret, opera, contemporary, musical theatre, pop and rock,” she says.
“I don’t really have one favourite singer, but I love Tina Turner, Sinead O‘Connor, Dolores O’Riordan, the lead vocalist from The Cranberries, and the Dutch singer and songwriter, Anouk Schemmekes.”
Weike Li, Head of Vocal Studies at Haileybury Rendall School, has coached Elijza for nearly four years. She says winning the AMEB prize is an ‘extraordinary achievement.’
“It requires not only technical excellence but deep artistic expression and musical maturity. The AMEB exams are highly regarded, with rigorous national standards, and students must perform four songs consecutively, effortlessly transitioning between different styles and emotions,” says Ms Li.
“For Elijza to receive this recognition at just 15 years old is truly remarkable. I’ve had the privilege of witnessing her unwavering dedication, resilience and passion for singing. She has an incredible ability to convey emotion, drawing in audiences and examiners alike. But Elijza’s journey is about so much more than just singing — the confidence and strength she has gained will stay with her far beyond the stage.”
We congratulate Elijza on her outstanding achievement and look forward to seeing where her singing talents take her next.
