Able to hold a tune before she could talk, 12-year-old Ponoka vocalist Zuri Ayuno continues to challenge herself to see what heights she can reach, and this time she’s set her sights on the world stage.
Singing the national anthem for several prestigious events in Central Alberta and accumulating ribbons at a variety of local and provincial singing competitions since she was four, Ayuno has now earned a spot on Team Canada for the World Championships of Performing Arts in Long Beach, California, from June 28 to July 7.
After auditioning to secure her place, she will be a contestant in the vocals, junior division at the 27th annual world competition.
“I’m excited but I’m also nervous,” said Ayuno. “It’s almost the Olympics of performing arts.”
Contestants will come from over 70 countries for the 10-day event, competing in a variety of disciplines, including modeling, dancing, and acting.
She’ll be the only junior representative from Canada, so she feels a weight to represent her country, as well as her hometown.
“The goal so far is just to make Canada proud,” said Ayuno. “I know I’m going to do my best on the stage.”
Ayuno will be competing in opera, musical theatre, R&B/Jazz, soul, and open.
Because of her interest in musical theatre, she’s especially excited to watch the acting competition.
She auditioned with a video submission last August and was selected.
In May, she’ll be flying to Toronto to meet the rest of the Canadian contingent and to be fitted for her team uniform.
It will be a busy few months before going to California, as she continues to compete and defend her titles. She is currently the two-time provincial champion in classical and musical theatre categories.
Competing in the U12 division in the Alibata Music Productions’ “Red Deer - The Voice - Kids Edition,” Zuri fought to stay in the running as she faced the first elimination round against eight other contestants on March 9.
In the interval, she’ll be preparing by choosing her songs and practicing those entries.
Ayuno says her range is wide and high, so she’ll try to showcase that with her selections.
Her dad, Arnel Ayuno, said he first noticed Zuri’s ability to match a note when she was about six months old.
“I think she was humming along to The Little Mermaid,” said Arnel.
When she was one, he was sure she had the talent. He still has a video of her on his phone of her singing a tune at that tender age.
Coming from a musical family, they nurtured her natural affinity for song, exposing her to a variety of music and encouraging her singing.
By the time she was four, Arnel realized she needed a professional coach to take her to the next level.
Although far younger than his regular pupils, Arnel convinced Burman University music department professor Wendolin Munroe to give her a chance. He tested her by having her sing along to a line he played on the piano.
“After he heard her, he said ‘Oh, OK, I’ll train you,’” said Arnel.
She started vocal lessons the next week and hasn’t stopped since.
She enjoys a variety of vocal genres, starting out in classical, and venturing into musical theatre, then R&B and jazz.
Some of her favourite artists she’s been inspired by include Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Beyonce and many Broadway performers.
While she’s not sure what the future holds, she knows she loves to compete and wants to see how far it can take her.
She feels drawn to musical theatre, so adding some acting skills to her repertoire may be something she’ll pursue down the road.
“I love singing. I do it almost every single day,” said Ayuno.
“When I perform I like seeing people’s faces light up.”
The world competition suggests contestants fundraise locally to help cover the cost of their participation.
Zuri is holding a bottle drive to help pay her way.
Those who want to donate to the cause can leave bottles at the Ponoka depot and mention her name, or email zuriella2012@gmail.com to request a pick up until March 31. E-transfers will also be gladly accepted to the same email.
For more information about the World Championships of Performing Arts visit wcopa.com.
READ MORE: Young Ponoka singer tops 6 categories at competition
