For 15-year-old Manasvi Myer, performing at the National Day Parade on Aug 9 was more than another opportunity to sing before a large audience. It was a chance to celebrate the country she calls home and her place in its multicultural society.
The Year 11 student at Tanglin Trust School was selected for the People’s Choir at NDP 2026, performing two songs alongside Singapore artistes Gareth Fernandez, Dru Chen and Iman Fandi.
“I felt an incredible combination of excitement, pride and honour,” Manasvi said of stepping onto the NDP stage. “I felt that I was part of something much bigger – a celebration of Singapore, its people and everything that brings us together.”
Her NDP journey began when Voices of Singapore, where she is a choral scholar, circulated details of auditions. After applying, Manasvi was asked to submit a video of herself singing a song of her choice.
The email confirming her selection brought months of demanding preparation.
Rehearsals began in March and April with five sessions lasting about four hours each. From late June, the schedule intensified, with some rehearsals stretching to seven hours. The choir also performed before public audiences on four consecutive weekends leading up to National Day.
Besides singing, performers had to master formations, movements, cues and transitions while remaining coordinated as a group.
“Balancing rehearsals with schoolwork and my other commitments required careful time management,” Manasvi said.
The effort paid off on Aug 9.
“The energy from the audience was incredible,” she said. “Hearing the cheers, seeing people celebrating together and singing along with us gave all of us even more energy.”
Family and friends messaged afterwards to say they had spotted her during the performance.
For Manasvi, who is of Indian heritage and has spent most of her life in Singapore, participating in NDP also carried a deeper significance.
“I felt proud to represent young people of Indian heritage who are an integral part of Singapore’s multicultural community,” she said. “On that stage, our individual backgrounds came together as part of one shared Singapore story.”
Her interests extend well beyond the NDP stage.
Manasvi is pursuing formal music training and is passionate about singing, acting and modelling, while also playing tennis and volleyball.
She recently participated in Miss Teen Diva 2026 in Jaipur, India, finishing in the Top 11 and receiving the “Beauty with a Purpose” award. She is also set to model for two brands at the inaugural Orchard Road Fashion Week.
Animal welfare is another major passion. Manasvi said she has raised more than S$10,000 for organisations including SPCA, ACRES and SOSD.
For now, her priority is completing her IGCSEs while continuing to develop her creative interests.
“I am still discovering exactly where my journey will take me,” she said, “but I hope it will combine creativity, communication and meaningful social impact.”
And after months of rehearsals, the teenager believes NDP taught her a lesson extending well beyond performing.
“Individual talent may open a door,” she said, “but discipline, teamwork and a shared sense of purpose are what bring a performance – and a nation – together.”
