Meet the Winner of
OMJ 2018
LAUREN HENDRICKS
In October 2018, the finals of the Open Mic Jazz Singing Competition took place at GrandWest’s Grand Arena. The event saw the six finalists sing their hearts out but it was Lauren Hendricks from Strandfontein who stole the show. She chats to us about her singing auditions and being crowned the winner of this prestigious music competition in Cape Town...
Q: Tell us more about your singing career?
Lauren: I started singing when I was nine years old, so it’s been 10 years now (which is the anniversary of OMJ, too!). I started in a theatre production and it was in high school that I really got into the jazz genre and studied the jazz ‘language’. Jazz, for me, is so authentic and honest.
Q: Why did you enter the OMJ competition?
Lauren: I gave it a shot last year and this year because it gives young artists good exposure. As soon as I turned 18, I decided to give it a try – why not? Now I’m here.
Q: What was different about your auditions this year?
Lauren: I feel that I had a lot of confidence. I believed in myself and kept a cool, calm head. I knew I could do it; I was ready.
Q: Who supported you throughout the talent competition?
Lauren: My mother and my grandparents were there every step of the way. My friends were super supportive, as well as my fellow contestants. We had each other’s back.
Q: After 10 years of celebrating jazz talent in South Africa, you join nine other successful winners in the OMJ Hall of Fame. What went through your mind when you won?
Lauren: The one word that best describes my feelings is gratitude. I am so grateful to everyone who supported me.
Q: What advice from the judges made a difference to your performances?
Lauren: During the semi-finals, one of the judges said: ‘Be yourself, just sing and be true to who you are.’ Those words stuck with me.
Q: What are your plans now that you’ve won the OMJ competition?
Lauren: I plan to use the platform to put myself out there as a young jazz artist, especially here in Cape Town. I’d love to collaborate with other jazz talent and establish my brand as an artist.
Q: What do you do when you’re not singing?
Lauren: I’m still studying towards my music degree at the University of Cape Town, and I dabble a bit in photography and videography. I particularly enjoy going to live music concerts. I feel that it’s really important to know the technicalities of the jazz discipline.
Q: What advice would you give to other aspiring singers?
Lauren: I would tell them to stay true to who they are as artists. Don’t try to mimic someone else’s style, and listen. Listen to more jazz, listen to all music. Absorb music and any contemporary genres out there. Don’t be afraid to ask the judges more when they give you criticism — they know what they’re doing.
Speaking on the overall experience, Elouise Matthys, PR and Promotions Manager at GrandWest, says: ‘It was a fantastic night. All the finalists were excellent. You would never have said that they were not professional singers.’ She adds: ‘GrandWest would like to congratulate all the finalists and especially Lauren. We’d also like to congratulate the organisers and sponsors. Open Mic Jazz celebrates 10 years and the entire competition was an incredible success. We’re looking forward to hosting the best singing auditions in Cape Town next year.’
For more information and audition dates for 2019, follow GrandWest on Facebook and Twitter.
