WHEN WORDS FAIL: A MUSICIAN’S STORY

Caitlyn Miles

@Kaitlynmiles123 

 

“Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up” — Pablo Picasso. 

One sunny afternoon at her father’s golf tournament, Zea de Wet approached a live band and changed her trajectory forever. Taking the microphone, she performed ABBA’s ‘Mamma Mia’ with trooper-like confidence. The seed was planted.

No longer a three-year-old singing karaoke, Zea is a 22-year-old music student still holding on to that passion as she forges a future built on song.

Despite the excitement of performing, music as a career was never part of the plan. Only when the decision of what to study loomed before her did the opportunity present itself.

“God opened the doors for me to study music. The more I was surrounded by opportunities, the more I fell in love with pursuing music fully.” 

What started as hopeful passion quickly grew into discipline. Music was no longer something she did for joy — it became something she had learned to understand. Hours of theory, practice, and technical training changed the simplicity of childhood fun. The hobby that she fell in love with demanded structure, precision, and consistency. “I realised that without music I would hate life, and that made me love the process even more,” de Wet said.

However, the process was not without challenge. As the work became more complex, so did the pressure. “In my first year, there was a lot of doubt,” she shared. “I struggled with imposter syndrome and compared myself with the talent around me.” 

Throughout the uncertainty, music itself became something more personal. It wasn’t just a subject of study but became a language that revealed expression and release. She mentioned, “Music is always around us. It communicates what words can’t.” 

This discovery shifted her direction. Rather than pursuing performance alone, her dream expanded towards music as a tool. She began to see music not just as something to perform but as something to give.

Her future now includes working with children, teaching them music and using it to help them express the emotions they do not have the words for. “I believe music can change lives when used correctly,” she said.

But this dream has not come without challenges. The young musician shares that living comfortably will not always be an option and shows how music is different from a stable desk job. Pursuing music therapy may require relocating and adapting to limited opportunities. Despite her still uncertain journey, her mind remains fixed on the future and her achievements so far. “Success to me looks like pursuing and achieving my goals. I believe success is what you make it.” 

Although she admits she will miss performing and full-time composition, she has found something richer: music’s emotional reach, especially in helping others connect with their own experiences through sound.

“Whenever I go through something difficult, I write songs. Now I can play those songs for others, and they can relate, or I can help them create music to express what they feel.”

For Zea, music has grown from childhood joy into something far deeper: a discipline, a language, and ultimately, a tool for healing. What began as a moment of childish bliss has become a lifelong way of connecting with others and herself.

Artist: @zeadw.music (Source: Zea de Wet).

 

Edited by Kristen Welgemoed