The 2025 National Youth Music Competition (NYMC) may be third time lucky for the talented saxophonist Kian Goliath from Loevenstein in Cape Town.

This matriculant at Westerford High School says the NYMC offers him a goal to look to and an opportunity to push himself to improve his skills.

Currently tutored by Dr Arisa Voger, the principal of the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre in Parow, Cape Town, Kian started to play the saxophone at the age of nine. His first teacher was Liam Burden, conductor of the Cape Town Philharmonic Youth Orchestra (CPYO), who also teaches at the Hugo Lambrechts Music Centre.

This rising star also plays the drums but declares that the saxophone is his first love.

Music runs in his veins. Both his parents used to play the piano. His younger brother will compete against him in the NYMC. Even his grandfathers were avid musicians - the one played the trumpet and the other the organ, as well as conducting a choir.

On the question of whom his favourite composer is, Kian says it is a moving target. “I would say right now it is Belgian composer André Waignein. Recently, I have been obsessed with his saxophone concerto, Rhapsody for Alto Saxophone. There was a point where I listened to it for a full week on repeat.”

The talented musician says he doesn’t find a lot of time to practice, but he always finds or makes time throughout the day. Cumulatively, these sessions make up at least an hour per day. He uses any available free moments to spend time with his friends. They will either play sports or games together.

Should he be able to be an animal, he would like to be an otter. “They are just so cute and smart. Who wouldn’t want to just float around and play with rocks?” he asks.

Kian’s role models are his parents and grandmother. “They always support me with every competition, and they will always push me to improve.” He describes himself as resilient. “Balancing school, sport, saxophone, friends and family is tough. I had experienced many roadblocks the past few years, but I always kept pushing onwards, taking it one day at a time,” he explains.

On completion of his matric, he plans to go to Stellenbosch University to study general computer science and music technology. “This will hopefully allow me to do music on the side, and if I become successful in that, I will switch to music full-time,” he smiles.

He lives by the motto, “Just push through it. It too will pass.”