The 2025 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) is for flautist Thalitha Pienaar from Pretoria, the second time around.

The second-year BMus student at the University of Pretoria (UP) says her participation in the 2024 competition was such a wonderful and exciting experience that she wanted to compete again this year.

“Although I was not a finalist last year, the entire experience outweighed the seemingly disappointing result. I am thrilled to experience it once again,” she enthuses.

Hailing from Wingate Park in Pretoria, Talitha started piano lessons at the age of four. At that stage, she did not enjoy music, but her parents encouraged her to persevere. When she started playing the flute at the age of 10, she fell in love with music and now wants to make a career of it.

Interestingly, her first teacher, Rosie Lemmer Bodie, was a previous finalist of the NYMC. Since her switch to playing flute, Anna-Maria Vermeulen coaches the rising star.

The young artist also plays the cello and admits that it is difficult to decide which instrument is her favourite. According to her, each instrument offers its pleasures.

“I love performing the flute in both solo, chamber and orchestral settings and performing music at weddings and events. Yet, there is something unique and almost powerful about being part of a full cello section in an orchestra,” she smiles.

Talitha describes herself as enthusiastic. Her role models are Swiss flautist Emmanuel Pahud and Korean-born flautist Jasmine Choi.

She is the middle child of the Pienaar family. Although her parents don’t play any musical instruments, they love and appreciate music. Her older sister, Nikita Pienaar, is the only other musician in the family.

Nikita is a violinist and clarinettist and a third-year music student at UP. Both sisters love serving in their church’s music team. They regularly perform together at weddings and other events.

Talitha says she only recently delved more into the work of German composer Robert Schumann and immediately fell in love with his work. “I love the textural changes and conversations he creates among the instruments in his symphonies,” she brims.

Last year, the bright musician developed an injury from over-practising. She therefore tries to practice for shorter periods at a time, but cumulatively it adds up to two hours per day.

On completion of her studies, her dream is to become a flute performer and train South Africa’s next generation of musicians. She is already teaching flute and cello to young children.

If she could be an animal, Talitha would love to be a bird “that would sing God’s glory all day long, and I could fly around exploring God’s creation.” She loves the chirping sounds of birds. “They are always singing joyfully.”

Her motto in life is 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”

Talitha says she only recently delved more into the work of German composer Robert Schumann and immediately fell in love with his work. “I love the textural changes and conversations he creates among the instruments in his symphonies,” she brims.

Last year, the bright musician developed an injury from over-practising. She therefore tries to practice for shorter periods at a time, but cumulatively it adds up to two hours per day.

On completion of her studies, her dream is to become a flute performer and train South Africa’s next generation of musicians. She is already teaching flute and cello to young children.

If she could be an animal, Talitha would love to be a bird “that would sing God’s glory all day long, and I could fly around exploring God’s creation.” She loves the chirping sounds of birds. “They are always singing joyfully.”

Her motto in life is 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all things for the glory of God.”