Singing in front of 30,000 people: Persia gets her big break

"My parents always knew I was a little musical as they would just observe me make little rhymes.

"My mum once told me that at a Wiggles concert someone in the audience noticed I was clapping in time with the music even though I was just a toddler."

Now 18 and still a talented singer, Persia has achieved more than most during her short singing career.

Fast forward to 2020 and Persia had been told by a friend that Hit 92.9 were hosting auditions to win a chance to perform at Optus Stadium.

"I sent in a video application and found I had been successful so they called me and then the next day I went to Optus Stadium to audition," she said.

With footy games put on pause due to COVID-19, Persia didn't hear whether she got the spot for a long time until one day when she was on a road trip.

"I was on a road trip and I hadn't had any service on my phone so I finally had service on my phone and I got a call - they said they'd like me to perform at Optus Stadium at the Fremantle game in a week," she said.

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"I was with my boyfriend so I told him the news and he was just really proud of me and then I called my parents and they were very happy for me.

"I was so happy and excited to get back to my family and celebrate."

To anyone else singing in front of 30,000 people would be nerve-racking but Persia said it was less daunting than her performances during high school.

"Singing at small intimate settings is a lot more nerve-racking than the big settings because you're so close in proximity," she said.

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"My first time singing at assembly in front of the whole high school was really daunting because you're in this gymnasium and you can see everyone sitting looking at you.

"That made me more nervous than performing at Optus Stadium - I couldn't see what people were thinking of me at Optus Stadium so I thought I'm just going to sing."

Despite thinking high school performances were more nerve-racking, Persia did admit she was anxious before her performance at Optus Stadium.

"I was freaking out leading up to it - the whole car ride up there I was just quiet," she said.

"Then it was countdown to my time to sing and I was so nervous but as soon as the music started I just completely was so comfortable and didn't feel nervous at all.

"I'm quite a shy person but that disappears once I start singing."

Currently in her first year of a bachelor of contemporary music at WAAPA, Persia said she was excited to develop her singing career.

"The teachers are so talented, I've learnt so much and I'm looking forward to how far I'll go," she said.

"I've only studied a semester there so far but I've improved so much already as a singer and also in my confidence."

Speaking of the future, Persia has international plans for the rest of her life.

"I would like to release some music in the foreseeable future - something original because I love doing covers and making my own original arrangement but the goal would be to have my own work of music," she said.

"I want to also do some more really big performances like Optus Stadium - all the comments from my performance say I hope she comes back and I hope so too.

"Living in this small community has made me cherish music and performing and made me dream about venturing off into bigger spaces like Perth and ideally internationally.

"This is just the beginning."

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To learn more about Persia's singing career visit her youtube.

Got a Mandurah Millennial on a Mission you think would be great to profile in this series? Email editor@mandurahmail.com.au.