Jordan Phillips, a learner from Whale School Kempton Park, will represent SA at the World Championships of Performing Arts, to be held in California, USA from 24 June to 10 July.
“I am very honored to have been selected to participate in this World Championship,” Phillips said.
“I took my guitar to the South African Performing Arts Competition and competed in different genres: contemporary, classical, variety, original, jazz and open, and was selected to compete in the world championships.”
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The 17-year-old said he will play the electric guitar and participate in the instrumental section of the competition.
Jordon's mother, Betty de Vries, said her son had a passion for playing instruments since he was 7 years old and began taking guitar lessons.
“Jordan has been interested in guitars and music since he was young. He got his first toy guitar when he was one and a half years old.
“He always loved all instruments and would sit and play guitar for hours on end. He started going to guitar lessons when he was in first grade,” Ms. De Vries said.
She said supporting your child's dreams and hobbies is important to give them the freedom to find their way to a fulfilling and happy life.
“I am very proud of Jordan's accomplishments. I am impressed with his effort, hard work, and dedication.
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“I told him the sky is the limit,” De Vries added.
Jordan likes all genres of music, but his favorite is metal.
Playing the guitar is his passion and Jordan aims to continue playing the guitar and improve his skills.
“I take lessons once a week from music producer Johan Hynes of The Laundry Room, who is a talented guitarist and singer. I also take lessons from world-renowned blues guitarist Dan Patlansky. “I'm receiving a lot of support,” Phillips said.
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“I practice on my own every day,” he added.
He said his favorite guitarist is American Sinyster Gates because he loves his music and technique.
Ms. Jones is attending college and plans to enroll in the Performing Arts Campus.
He is interested in doing ecoranges and studying music production.