Centurion artist turns childhood passion into lifelong calling
What started as a childhood performance of 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' for her family has grown into a lifelong passion and blossoming career for Centurion singer Leandi Labuschagne.
The 26-year-old has lived in Centurion her entire life and says music has always played a central role in her upbringing.
'Our home was always filled with sounds from every genre you could think of. From the late 70s and 80s hits to country, rock, and pop,' she said.
'My parents loved music, and they didn't limit themselves to one style. I believe that's probably where my own love for music was born.'
Labuschagne told Rekord her first performance came when she was five years old.
'At the time, I decided to sing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' for the whole family, and we even have a home video of it.'
At the age of six, she joined the school choir.
Labuschagne recounted how one day her teacher heard her sing and told her mom she should begin formal singing lessons.
That encouragement marked the moment she began taking music more seriously.
She fondly recalled one of her favourite childhood memories of singing 'There Is None Like You' by Michael W. Smith alongside her brother.
'We were standing in the living room in our winter pyjamas while my dad filmed us with one of those old-school early-2000s video cameras,' she said.
'It's a moment I'll never forget.'
Labuschagne said she began entering music competitions and eisteddfods in her early primary school years.
By the time she was 16, she had already participated in almost every major music competition in Gauteng and had collected numerous accolades.
'Some of the highlights include Beeld Eisteddfod, Garsfontein Eisteddfod, Sing for the Stars, and the South African Talent Championships,' she said.
She explained that she has always loved all genres of music, each offering a unique emotion and atmosphere.
However, she felt a strong connection to country music, which Shania Twain largely inspired.
'Growing up listening to Shania, I dreamed of one day recording a country album of my own,' she said.
At the age of 17, she stepped away from competitions and decided to share her passion by giving singing lessons instead.
'Helping others discover their voice and grow in confidence became my new focus.'
She continued teaching until the age of 22, nurturing young talent while continuing her own growth as a musician.
When she was 24, Labuschagne joined two productions at the Barnyard Theatre, which ran for eight months.
'I performed five to eight shows a week. It was an incredible learning experience. I grew so much during that time and enjoyed every minute of it.'
Labuschagne said her parents have always been her biggest supporters, constantly encouraging her to follow her dreams.
She added that her husband is also an incredible source of support and a huge music lover.
'I truly have the best support system anyone could ask for, and it makes the journey so much easier.'
She said one of the biggest challenges she has faced as a musician is the inconsistency in opportunities.
'Some years are filled with back-to-back shows and incredible highs. Other years slow down to just one or two performances a month,' she explained.
During those quiet times, she said she had to do a lot of soul-searching.
'If it's all about recognition and praise, you probably won't make it very far. I've learnt that God placed this dream in my heart for a reason, and it's not to please people but to please Him.
'When you truly understand that, the journey becomes a lot more meaningful and a lot less overwhelming.'
When it comes to inspiration, Labuschagne is often moved by the work of other artists and the way they view the world.
'Music is such a powerful force. It has the ability to touch hearts and even transform the world,' she said.
She named Carrie Underwood, Celine Dion, and Adele as some of her biggest influences.
Currently, Labuschagne is working on some exciting projects.
She recently wrote her very first original country single and said she will be working on the production over the coming months.
'I truly love this song and can't wait to hear the final version. It's something really close to my heart,' she said.
Outside of the spotlight, Labuschagne said she enjoys spending quality time with her family and exploring creative hobbies.
'I love learning new skills like jewellery making, baking, and more,' she said.
Looking ahead, Labuschagne's focus is to continue writing and recording music with meaning.
'My goal is to inspire people through my songs and to help them see just how special and deeply loved they are.'
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