Imagine your 15-year-old self, standing on stage with bright lights, cameras, a live audience, and a panel of Keith Urban, Jessica Mauboy, Rita Ora, and Guy Sebastian all there to hear you sing.

That was a reality for Canberran Tahalianna Soward-Mahanga, who valiantly made it to the blind audition stage of this year’s season of The Voice.

While none of the judges’ chairs turned on the night, it was a wonderful experience for the talented teenager.

Tahalianna told Canberra Daily she took a lot away from the encounter; namely a greater sense of confidence, and certainty that singing is what she wants to do.

“I loved being on The Voice, it was really fun,” she said. “It gave me a glimpse of what it’s like to be on stage in front of the public’s eye.

“For me, it made me want to be a singer even more, so that’s still a dream of mine … Over the years I thought it was a hobby, but now I’m more serious about it.”

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Tahalianna’s The Voice adventure began in June 2021. While watching last year’s season with her family, she turned to her mother, Patrice, and said she’d like to have a go at it.

From there, they recorded a video audition, which was noticed by the producers. After sending another video through, she was invited to Sydney to participate in the show’s famous blind audition stage.

Although the actual audition went by in the blink of an eye, everything that transpired in the lead up amounted to a big day. A long drive to the studio was followed by vocal coaching and time in the hair and makeup chair.

“I was sitting behind the doors and there were three camera men around me,” she said. “I was pumping myself up, walking back and forth, I was so nervous.”

After a quick word from the producers, the doors opened onto the stage.

“The lights were shining, I was like ‘oh my god’, but I just put on a face because I was ready.”

Tahalianna walked away content and proud of her performance.

“I thought I gave a great performance; I was really proud of myself, and the crowd was going crazy.”

Patrice said the entire experience with The Voice was very positive, with the crew, the judges, and the other performers all showing Tahalianna a great deal of kindness and respect.

“Everyone we met was so nice and respectful,” she said.

Patrice was there to support and encourage her daughter the entire time.

“My biggest thing was I wanted her to be a kid while she could be a kid, and enjoy her childhood and make sure it wasn’t anything that would take away from her,” Patrice said.

“But she was determined, it brought out her determination and she was like ‘let’s go’.”

Canberra ‘very good’ with opportunities

Having grown up in Canberra, Tahalianna and her family are heavily involved in Canberra’s Indigenous community and take great pride in their culture.

Having performed at many cultural events, she credits her family and her wider community for their encouragement and support.

“Canberra has been very good with opportunities for my singing,” she said.

“I mainly perform for community events as well, so having that and getting to perform in front of my family, my friends, elders of this community has been great.

“I’m looking forward to doing stuff outside of Canberra, too.”

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Patrice is very proud of the positive influence her daughter has over her peers.

“A lot of the young kids, they follow her, especially in our community, but also at her schools she’s got huge followings,” she said.

“The one thing they say about Tahalianna is when she touches people and becomes friends with them, she’s so kind and she brings people along with her.”

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