MOSS VALE High School student Ryan Krebs can be found busking at the doors of Ashcroft’s Supa IGA in Moss Vale most Saturday afternoons.
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He usually draws an appreciative but fleeting crowd of shoppers and passers-by who happily drop spare change into his hat.
The young singer belts out tunes by performers ranging from Frank Sinatra and Nat King Cole to pop sensation Jason Mraz, as well as classic songs like Raise Me Up and In the Jungle (The Lion Sleeps Tonight).
Krebs said he fell into singing by accident.
“In Year 6, I did choir as a joke with some mates and the teacher noticed I had a good voice,” he said.
Describing his style as “jazzy-blues”, Krebs said most people are pleased for the music as they hurry in and out of the shopping centre.
The budding vocalist said staff from the supermarket often give him their own tips.
Krebs’ friend Justin Cartwright, who happened upon Krebs’ impromptu performance during the interview, said the music was “calming”.
Krebs said he had not received a lot of training, except for the tutelage of well-known local music teacher Kelesi Woodhouse, who visits Moss Vale High weekly.
The young performer was a featured artist in the annual regional schools performance Southern Stars for two years as a high school junior and said the experience magnified his passion for the stage.
“It was really good fun. It’s a lot of hard work throughout the year. I met a lot of nice people,” he said.
“I love performing. It’s my passion.”
Krebs has also performed in shows at Moss Vale High such as Viva Moss Vegas.
Now that he has reached the minimum age of 16, Krebs hopes to audition for Australian Idol in 2010.
“[2009 winner] Stan Walker was just brilliant,” he said.
And Krebs is confident of his chances.
“I think I can get through to the top 100,” he said.
Like most teenagers, Krebs occasionally has trouble balancing his passion for singing with other hobbies.
A keen rugby league player, he missed the season this year to focus on singing and schoolwork, but is hoping to turn out for either the Moss Vale or Robertson under-18 team in 2010.
Krebs said teammates tease him about the singing.
“But not so much if I turn up to play,” he said.
By choosing songs mainly to suit his voice, Krebs has taught himself a wide variety of music, including pop tunes and rock classics.
He hopes his career as a performer will take-off but, if not, Krebs says he will pursue a teaching career.
“If I don’t get a career in music, I’ll just teach others and share my passion,” the teenager said.
