Interview with Danielle van Niekerk from Cape Town's My Camp Rock

Written by Silwerjakkals from the blog Silwerjakkals talks TV on 19 Sep 2010
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We Caught up with Danielle van Niekerk - winner of Cape Town's My Camp Rock Road Show held at Canal Walk on 11 September.

1. Have you always been a Camp Rock fan?
Yes, I admire the talents of the various characters in Camp Rock. The setting the dance moves and type of songs. I particularly love the lyrics of the songs as they refer to aspects that we as teenagers deal with everyday. I definitely can relate to them.

2. Who is your favourite character in the first movie: “Camp Rock”?
Definitely Mitchie (Demi Lovato). She talented, bubbling over with enthusiasm and has a great personality. She has an amazing stage presence.

3. When did you hear about Disney Channel’s My Camp Rock Road Shows and why did you decide to enter the talent contest?
I have this dream of becoming a vocal artist, just like the Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam artists. It was the Monday before the event that my Mom informed me about the show. We thought it would be a great opportunity to take the next step in my singing as I have been singing for school events and talent shows. It posed as an opportunity to step out there and get noticed. Just like the song that Mitchie sings “No more hiding who I want to be…… This is me!!!!”

4. Which song did you select to sing and why?
I originally selected the song “This is Me” as I feel it expresses much of what I would like to say. I’ve been at times rather shy, just like any teenager but I found as time went on, that I have grown in confidence. However this song was not one of the songs that could be performed on stage as they only had the rights to 4 of the songs. My 2nd choice, the one I won the competition with was “Here I am” A great song too, as it speaks about coming out and expressing who you are…..

5. How many times did you practice before the event?
Practice, that’s something I do every day of my life. I simply love singing. The Camp Rock and Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam songs are part of what I sing every day. So every and anytime I have a chance to sing I take the opportunity.

6. How did it feel to sing on stage with the likes of Jesse and HHP?
A dream come true. I greatly admire our South African artists and dream of the day when I become one too. So sharing a stage with these great artists was amazing and a wonderful experience and opportunity.

7. How did you react when Pabi announced that you were the winner?
At first I clapped for the winner not realising that it was my name they announced. For a moment time stood still and then reality hit me. I made it!!!!! WOW!!!! What an overwhelming feeling of joy and elation.

8. What was the highlight of Disney Channel’s My Camp Rock mall event for you?
The opportunity to work with professional voice trainers and being put through our warm-ups and preparation for the stage performance. I felt like a star having all those cameras and lights on me as we trained. And then of course the moment when I won.

9. Have you always wanted to sing and what other songs from Disney Channel’s Camp Rock 2:
Yes, I love singing and dream of the day when I get on stage to perform my songs. I particularly love the slow jam in Camp Rock 2 “I Wouldn’t Change a Thing” I dream to sing with Nick Jonas Ha! Ha! Ha! I also like the song “We Can’t Back Down”-very vibrant.

10. Who is your favourite character in Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam and why?
My favorite character would be Ella because she has a great sense of fashion, she has a bubbly personality and just makes me laugh.

11. Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam is airing on Saturday 18th of September at 09.00, are you counting the days?
Every moment and every second. I can’t wait to see the original characters in action and hear them performing the new camp rocking songs. I’ll be sitting and waiting in anticipation for this BIG event on Saturday morning.

12. What’s next for you?
I guess time to move on and start that rock band I’ve always dreamed of starting. I play the piano and will be starting with my guitar lessons. I started writing some songs and want to get my music out there. I love music, it’s my passion. It’s what keeps me going….