The Grade 10 Steenberg High School learner Quinn Goliath’s maiden participation in the 2024 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) inspired him so much that he entered again for the 2025 NYMC edition.

“This is an opportunity to grow as a saxophonist and meet other young musicians. It is an opportunity where we can help each other to grow,” the young residents from Loevenstein, Cape Town, enthuse.

He is one of the three saxophonists who were selected for this year’s competition. The other two are his older brother, Kian and James Cilliers.

The budding star’s musical journey started at age seven, learning the piano. Three years later, he started playing the saxophone. His first and current saxophone teacher is Liam Burden. “I am grateful to be his student. I have learnt a lot from him,” he boasts.

Liam is also his role model. “He helps me learn life values through the instrument, and he is always there for a person.”

Quinn admitted that his piano playing is now rusty. “The saxophone is my favourite instrument. It has a special place in my heart, and it has made me grow as a person.”

The Argentine tango composer, Astor Piazzolla, is this rising star’s favourite composer. Quinn loves the character and emotions that he expresses through his works.

Music runs in the family. Both his parents used to play the piano. His grandfather played organ and piano, and his other grandfather used to play the trumpet. He says he has several aunts and uncles who are associated with music in many different ways.

According to the young saxophonist, he normally practices between 45 and 60 minutes per day, but when he wants to drill in a lot of repertoire and practice intonation drills and finger exercises, he extends the time to between one to two hours.

Apart from his music, Quinn loves to cook, spends time with family, watches television series, plays video games and spends time outdoors.

Should he be able to be an animal, Quinn wants to be a bird. “I would love to fly around the world and see different things,” he reminisces.

He describes himself as outgoing and lives his life by Luke 1:37 – “For with God nothing shall be impossible.”