“Keep Representing”: Jaidyn Lael Breaks Silence About Getting Into Best Musical School in the World

• South African musician Jaidyn Lael revealed he was accepted into Boston's Berklee College of Music, one of the world's most prestigious music schools
• Jaidyn began writing songs at 14 and released two singles before turning 18, after being inspired by his father's performances at church
• South Africans flooded the comments with prayers and encouragement, urging the young musician to make the country proud
• Briefly News reached out to Jaidyn Lael to learn about his audition process for Berklee College of Music and his adjustment to studying in the US

A South African musician has opened up about earning a spot at one of the world's most celebrated music institutions. Jaidyn Lael shared the news on TikTok on 11 September 2026, recounting the journey that took him from a bedroom in South Africa to the halls of Berklee College of Music in Boston.

It all started at church. Watching his father perform as a child planted something in Jaidyn that he could not shake. By age 14, he was already writing original songs, and by 18, he had released two singles on major streaming platforms. Radio stations, including Cape Talk, gave him a platform, and alongside that exposure, he dedicated himself to studying music theory and ear training.

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From Cape Town bedroom to Boston campus

Jaidyn's commitment eventually led him 8,000 miles away to the United States, where he enrolled at Berklee College of Music, widely regarded as one of the finest music schools in the world. Jaidyn's story struck a chord with South Africans at home, many of whom had been following his early career with quiet hope. His TikTok post quickly drew an outpouring of support, with viewers sharing prayers and urging him to stay focused.

Watch Jaidyn tell the story of how he got into Berklee College of Music in the TikTok video below:

Navigating international auditions and adjusting to life abroad

We at Briefly News spoke with musician Jaidyn Lael following his acceptance into the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston.

When asked about the most challenging aspects of preparing his application and auditions while based in South Africa, Lael explained:

“There were many challenging parts of my audition and application that were equally as difficult. My sight singing, my nervousness and my Wi-Fi connection were my weaknesses at the time. I had to put in extra effort to identify and sing notes by merely looking at them on a piece of paper. I had to get people to ask me difficult questions, and this helped me practice answering difficult interview questions on the spot while remaining calm. Since I had to audition online and my adjudicators were all the way in the US, I couldn’t get much help with latency issues. Nonetheless, they ignored this issue.”

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The team inquired about how the transition to living and studying in the US has been for him so far:

“My transition to the US has been one of both ease and difficulty. I work well independently; however, I miss my family in South Africa deeply.”

When asked what guidance he would offer to other aspiring South African musicians aiming for top international institutions, Lael advised:

“Advice that I would give to the younger musical generation is that if you want to get into the top institutions in the world, you need to have years of dedication and a plan of action, starting from a young age. This means you need to put in extra effort both musically and academically because a lot of prestigious institutions around the world are virtually impossible for South Africans to afford even if we get accepted. However, they do award scholarships to students who are academically disciplined. I started singing when I was six years old, and it was always my dream to study in the United States; hence, I had a plan of action.”

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Mzansi roots for Jaidyn

South Africans in the comments section of @jaidynlael's post had plenty to say:

@Mangoe wrote:

"Everything is the best for you, my child. We pray for God's protection and blessings over you in Jesus' name. Amen and amen 🙏❤️."

@Aishah said:

"Well Done 🌟 all the best. Don't give up. Push through; there will be hard days, but don't worry, we're all rooting for you back home."

@HudsonGovernor added:

"Wishing you everything you dream about. Don't lose focus, trust in God and make ur parents proud. Oh, and remember us when you are rich and famous."

@ K¡nd€r ~ J●¥ ♡ said:

"Nice! Keep representing, bro."

@JasonDutoo related to the journey:

"Brother, this is actually my story 😂. Congratulations, I'm in Greenville, NC."

@Franchesca kept it simple:

"God never fails us! All the best, bro."

More articles about South Africans in America

• South Africans relocating to Australia are advised to prepare for strict skills assessment and licensing requirements that can prevent skilled migrants from working in their professions.
• An Afrikaner farmer on an H-2A visa programme in the US gave his followers a tour of his massive home, a beautiful four-bedroom house and his ride.
• A South African man living in America took to TikTok to call out locals who move abroad and glamorise their lives, all while struggling financially.

Source: Briefly News