By Casey Neill
Hoseah Partsch is inspiring his Dandenong High School classmates to follow their dreams.
The Cranbourne West 18-year-old auditioned for television talent contest The Voice on 24 April, singing Ariana Grande’s Almost is Never Enough.
“I sing that song a lot. That song I can connect to so much,” he said.
“It really describes the love I have for my family and the love my family has for me as well, raising me up to be the boy I am today.
“If I had to describe my family with one word it would be love, and that song is about love.”
During the audition round, The Voice hopefuls perform for four judges who sit with their backs to the stage.
The judge chooses to spin their chair around if they want the performer for their team.
All four judges turned around for Hoseah. He chose to join Boy George’s group.
“I’m a very shy person when it comes to performing in front of a large crowd,” he said.
“I just wanted to do it for my family.
“We’ve had a rough lifestyle growing up, my mum being a single parent with four kids.
“There’s days when we don’t have food on the table.
“My grandfather was just diagnosed with cancer.”
They attended Hoseah’s audition with him.
“Seeing their reactions, I actually cried, especially for my grandparents,” he said.
“Just to see them cry, it made me tear up as well watching it.
“Also, my mum, to see her cry – I don’t see it all the time, she’s so strong.”
Hoseah was born in New Zealand and moved to Australia in 2011.
“I’ve been singing since I was very young. It started back in church,” he said.
“I had a lot of family members who were professional musicians.”
He’s the eldest of four siblings.
“My younger siblings sing here and there, but not as good as me – nah, joking!” he laughed.
“I think when they grow up they’ll be good singers.
“I love to sing.
“When I sing I feel free.
“It’s like I’m singing a poem, to be honest.
“It’s just a good feeling, just express how I feel inside.”
Hoseah hopes The Voice will help him attain a career in music – and learn how to write a song.
“I’m really bad with lyrics. I’ve written the cheesiest songs ever,” he said.
He’s also determined to enjoy the experience.
“It’s a bit weird, other people calling your name out of the blue,” he said.
“But I guess it’s pretty cool, people recognising me.
“It sometimes gets annoying but at the same time you just feel grateful.”
The Year 12 said his classmates helped to keep him grounded, and the school had been very supportive.
“I’ve had kids say ’you’ve inspired me so much to follow my dreams’,” he said.
In the knockout round on Monday 22 May he performed Michael Jackson classic Man in the Mirror and received a standing ovation from the audience and judges.
“To have the energy of the crowd pump me up, it was a good feeling,” he said.
He’ll now head into the battle rounds as one of the final 24 contestants.
The Voice airs on Sundays at 7pm and Monday at 7.30pm on Channel Nine.
