artsmart : arts news from kwazulu-natal : music

	NB: as of 23 September 2008, all new artSMart articles are being published on the site news.artsmart.co.za. MEGAN KAHTS (article first published : 2002-02-20) At the tender age of 13, Megan Kahts has been described as “South Africa’s latest young singing sensation”. A Northlands Girls High School grade 8 pupil, she has the vocal ability of a seasoned mature soprano and is blessed with excellent pitching ability and voice control. She receives voice coaching from ex opera singer Francois Vermeulen. She will be the Prelude Performer for the next Friends of Music Recital on February 26. The recital will feature acclaimed pianist Jonathan Oshry and violinist Marc Uys. The Prelude Performers project, which has been funded by the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund, offers talented classical performers a slot before the international guest artist of the evening. Megan Kahts has already performed on Reach for the Stars and appeared at the Aardklop arts festival in Potchefstroom. Last year, she played the leading role of Maria in Northlands’ production of The Sound of Music and sang with the KZN Philharmonic at the annual Carols by Candlelight evening at the Durban Botanical Gardens. She has appeared on the DSTV arts programme Kunskafee and SABC TV’s Top Billing and is due to appear on the music quiz programme Noot vir Noot on SABC 2 later this year. She will perform at the Klein Karoo National Arts festival in Oudtshoorn in April. She has also produced her first CD titled My Mother’s Arms. The album consists of 17 numbers including songs from well-known musicals such as Edelweiss, Do re mi and The Lonely Goatherd from The Sound of Music. Also featured are light classical and opera songs as well as contemporary numbers. “ She impresses with her interpretation of technically challenging classical numbers like Una voce poco fa, Pie Jesu, Alleluia* and The Laughing Song as well as the jazz number Glory of Love and the ballad White Rose of Athens.* The Friends of Music recital takes place on February 26 at the Durban Jewish Club. A cash bar is available and there is safe parking. Book at Computicket.