Year 8 student Jessica Laffan, has been singing as long as she can remember.
Her Japanese mother Sherry says, Jessica began singing around the same time she started to talk.
"I knew this was something she wanted to do" Sherry Laffan spoke to SBS Japanese, revealing that Jessica has been hoping to audition for The Voice (Channel 7) for the last few years.
"I thought she was still young, so I told her maybe when she is 16..."
But as Jessica says, you never know when opportunities come knocking.
Jessica is standing on the stage of The Voice Generation, with her singing teacher Kelsi. Although they have known each other as student and teacher, this is their first time to perform together.
The show is a global-first special 3 day event, where Australia's greatest voices from various generations come together on The Voice arena.
Sherry says Jessica fell in love with musicals at a young age, with the pair watching performances on regular basis pre-covid.
"I love listening to the music and seeing them connect to the song, it makes me feel part of the journey of the song" says Jessica.
"I love how you can communicate through singing all over different countries and (with) all sort of people, and everyone can communicate through music"
When Jessica saw the The Lion King in Japan, she realized the power of music breaking the language barrier.
Although she could not understand Japanese fluently, she was able to understand through the songs and emotions. "The music communicates to me".
Although she is only 13, Jessica has a clear vision of her dreams, supported and guided by her mother Sherry.
"I make dream-boards every year" says Sherry.
"You cannot achieve without goals" she continues
Whether its a personal goal, a family goal, or work related, it is all visualised in front of her, and Jessica has clearly followed her mother's foot step.
"Audition for the Voice" was only added recently to Jessica's board.
" I didn't think I can tick it off so soon" says Jessica.
"To be able to accomplish this dream has been amazing"
Although Sherry was never a performer herself, and cannot give Jessica any advice in terms of singing and dancing , she has always taught her daughters the right attitude towards work, and the importance of forming good relationship and connections with people.
"If you have a dream, follow that dream as soon as possible" says Jessica.
"You never know when its too late, so grab your dream. Many more opportunities and dreams will come out of it "
The Voice Generation will air its final episode on February 2, 2022.
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