With an award-winning voice, growing stage presence, and a passion that started at home, the young singer is proving that talent knows no age.
Some stars are born under the spotlight. Others find their way there one song at a time.
For young singer Natalie Yanson, the journey began not in a grand concert hall but in the familiar warmth of family gatherings, where singing was simply something she loved to do. Today, that childhood passion is taking her to bigger stages, earning her recognition, and opening doors to exciting opportunities in the Philippine music scene.
At a tender age, Yanson has already made a remarkable impression. Last year, she received the Best Child Performer (Female) award at the 38th Aliw Awards, a recognition that affirmed her growing promise as a young performer.
She recently demonstrated that same vocal prowess at RMA Studio Academy’s Destination: World Stage, held on November 5 at the Proscenium Theater, where she delivered two memorable performances that showcased both her versatility and stage presence.
One of the evening’s highlights was her trio performance with Scarlett Belo, daughter of celebrity dermatologists Dr. Vicki Belo and Dr. Hayden Kho Jr., and Zia Dantes, daughter of actors Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera. Together, the young performers sang “You’ll Be in My Heart.”
Sharing the stage with familiar personalities, Yanson had an opportunity to introduce herself to a wider audience. And she made the most of it, allowing her voice and musicality to speak for themselves.
She did not need to outshine anyone. She simply needed to be herself.
But it was her solo performance that offered another glimpse of her potential. Taking on “You Raise Me Up,” the inspirational ballad popularized internationally by Josh Groban in 2003, Yanson delivered a rendition that highlighted the maturity, control, and emotional expression behind her young voice.
It was a performance that suggested something bigger was unfolding: a young artist steadily developing her own identity, one stage at a time.
And her journey is far from slowing down.
Yanson is set to join Jona’s upcoming concert, “Jona: Chapters,” happening on November 14 at 8 p.m. at the New Frontier Theater in Quezon City. Sharing the stage with an established vocalist offers another exciting milestone for the young performer as she continues to gain experience and confidence in the world of live entertainment.
Interestingly, her story has familiar beginnings. Like her idol, Broadway star Lea Salonga, Yanson’s love for performing started at home.
As a toddler growing up in Bacolod, she was already singing and dancing around the house. Her first recorded public performance came in 2020, when she was just five years old. During her grandmother’s birthday celebration, she performed alongside her cousins, singing Diana Ross’ “If We Hold On Together,” the beloved theme song from the 1988 animated film “The Land Before Time.”
It was a simple family celebration, but perhaps it was also the beginning of something special.
From that intimate birthday performance in Bacolod to the Proscenium Theater, and now to the New Frontier Theater, Yanson’s journey reflects what can happen when natural talent meets dedication, encouragement, and the courage to keep performing.
Still young and with so much to discover, she has plenty of room to grow, learn, and explore her musical potential.
For now, every performance is another chapter in her story. Every song is an opportunity to connect, and every stage brings her one step closer to the artist she hopes to become.
Because sometimes, the brightest spotlights find those who started by simply singing from the heart.
And for Natalie Yanson, the world is only beginning to hear her song.
