Even his name has a musical ring to it … Sergio José Tavares. But it is not his name that audiences remember. It is his playing and how much love he pours into it.
It takes countless hours of practice and dedication to master an instrument. Sergio, a young, talented and accomplished pianist, knows this well. His deep love for music makes all the demanding work worthwhile and, even if it is challenging sometimes, also rewarding – in the form of applause and awards.
Sergio is currently in the final year of his bachelor’s degree in music at the NWU’s School of Creative Industries and Performing Arts. He specialises in performance, piano methodology and music theory.
His studies have been both rigorous and enriching, exposing him to a wide range of musical disciplines before allowing him to refine his focus. “In the first part of the degree, you do everything that is related to music,” he explains. “It is not just performance, but also fields like music education and musicology. It is only later that you specialise.”
From first notes to virtuoso
Sergio’s love for the piano began unexpectedly. “It was kind of out of the blue; I just started with the piano first and it stayed with me. I took formal lessons in high school and it soon developed into a clear sense of purpose. Since then, I have really fallen in love with music.”
This passion has translated into notable achievements. He has received consecutive piano awards in the NWU Conservatory’s annual bursary competition since 2023 and earned the top academic prize in his first year.
Sergio has also broadened his experience through competitions and festivals beyond the campus. Recently, he attended the International Piano Symposium in Stellenbosch, reached the semi-final round of the Yamaha Young Soloists competition and has consistently performed strongly in other contests. He was also awarded the South African Society of Music Teachers bursary for his piano playing in 2024.
He is mindful of both tradition and individuality in classical music. Although he is rooted in Western art music, he strives to develop his own distinctive voice.
“Every performer has something to say through music. I want to bring my own message and sometimes put my own spin on things so people can recognise my sound.”
He sees himself primarily as an interpreter rather than a composer and embraces the responsibility of bringing existing works to life. “We keep the music of the great composers alive,” he says, referring to both past and present music creators.
Skills, passion and persistence
Sergio speaks highly of his experience at the NWU. “You learn skills that you might not think are important at first, such as teaching techniques and ensemble work, but they can be useful later,” he explains.
For those considering a future in music, Sergio says you must have a passion for it. “It takes many, many hours of practice, and it can be difficult,” he says. “But if you remember your love for music, you will keep going.”
With his growing list of achievements and a piano keyboard that comes to life under his fingers, Sergio José Tavares is steadily establishing himself as a promising young pianist.
Sergio tells us more about his studies and his passion for music: https://youtu.be/7zZ1iob4jCE
Sergio Josè Tavares hopes to build a career performing internationally while also teaching advanced music students.
