The 2025 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) is Hartenbos cellist Meya Cordeweder’s first foray into this prestigious event.

This 16-year-old rising star only started playing the instrument three years ago, but she is quick to point out that her musical journey commenced five years earlier when she began with piano lessons with Ans Becker.

A year later, she took up violin lessons with Renchia Grobbelaar . Her first and only cello teacher is Throy Petersen. He is also the cello teacher of fellow contestant, Misha van der Merwe, from Mossel Bay.

The Grade 10 learner at Curro Mossel Bay is also a violinist of the Cape Town Philharmonic Orchestra (CPYO). Since 2022 she also took part in the Stellenbosch International Chamber Music Festival (SICMF) being part of the symphony orchestra.

On a question which instrument is her favourite, it depends on how she feels on a specific day. “It is unquestionably between the violin and the cello. I do not like to play piano as much, but I love to listen to it while I study,” she admits.

Meya mentions two role models in her life. “My role model has always been my first violin teacher, Renchia Grobbelaar. I also look up to my maths teacher, Ms Cathrina Knoetze,” she says.

The budding musician doesn’t have one specific favourite composer. She has favourite pieces from different composers, but in general she likes the work of Italian composer, Antonio Vivaldi.

“His music is very exciting and lively. Every time I see a piece written by Vivaldi on a programme, I know it is going to be good,” she smiles.

She says there are other musicians in the family. Her mother, Debbie, plays the piano, and her mother’s cousin plays the violin. Her younger sister plays the guitar, subject to her gymnastic schedule.

During the week, the talented musician practices two hours on the violin and two hours on the cello. On weekends, if she doesn’t have orchestra rehearsal in Cape Town, she tries to practice three hours on each of the two instruments.

She balances her life by jogging and playing netball. “I also like studying, reading and art – mostly sketching birds,” she adds.

After finishing school, she would love to go study music at Stellenbosch University or abroad. On completion of her studies, she wants to perform as a soloist with orchestras or play in a professional orchestra. “I would also like to teach students in my free time.”

Should she be able to be an animal, this rising star wants to be a bird. “I can then fly anywhere I want and explore new places. I also love forests and most birds live in them,” she enthuses.

Meya describes herself as caring. Her life motto is: “Kindness in heart, effort in action.”