The record-breaking 2026 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) sees an almost equal split between pianists and string instrumentalists. There are 14 pianists and 12 string players battling for the R180 000 in prize money.
Cellist Misha van der Merwe is 16 years old and a Grade 11 learner at Light House College. She is one of the 12 string instrumentalists, and the 2026 contest is her proverbial second bite at the cherry. This year, there are six cellists in the competition.
The young rising star is small in stature – her instrument is almost bigger than herself. She and fellow contestant Meya Cordewener face a tricky challenge. Their music teacher, Throy Peterson, is based at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Parow, Cape Town. A distance of almost 400 kilometres away. Both get tutored via the internet.
Misha strives to improve on her performance at last year’s competition. She welcomes the chance to be part of the 2026 NYMC as it offers her the opportunity to meet and experience many wonderful young musicians. “I want to give my best possible impression towards my fellow contestants and the judges,” she smiles.
The talented cellist started her musical journey at the age of six, being taught by her grandmother, who plays the violin, cello and viola. The young star also plays the violin, but says the cello is her favourite. Idealistically, she practices two hours per day.
Russian-Soviet composer Reinhold Glière is her favourite composer. “I first discovered him from his String Octet in D Major. Since then, I have grown fond of his symphonies and harp concertos. In general, I am a fan of most Russian composers,” she says.
The Argentine cellist Sol Gabetta is the young star’s musical role model. “Every time I find a cello piece that intrigues me, I end up stumbling upon a recording of her playing it beautifully. Should I need to learn a new piece, I also return to her recordings to learn it,” says Misha.
In her free time, Misha enjoys art and dancing. She is a hip hop dancer for Angeline's Dance Academy (ADA) in Mossel Bay.
She describes herself as analytical and aims to work as a musical performer on a cruise liner on completion of her schooling.
Should she be able to be an inanimate object, the young cellist wants to be either a lamp or a violin. “A lamp is the safe and useful option, but if I can be a violin, I want to be owned by a violinist who practices regularly, cleans me properly and doesn’t abuse me. I will then also be small enough to go on the plane with my owner instead of the luggage hold,” she laughs.
Despite being a four-hour drive from Cape Town, Misha indicated that she knows nine of the other candidates who were selected for the 2026 NYMC.