At first glance Ian Cris Tocle is like any 10-year-old you’d meet. But ask him to describe himself, and he’ll tell you he’s a “kid of many hats.” See him on stage and you’ll realize the kid’s a born ‘artiste,’ whether he’s strutting his stuff on stage, or broadcasting off his own YouTube channel.
When you talk to Tocle you realize right away that he displays adult-like poise beyond his years. He’d tell you that he developed an intense passion for performing before audiences from the age of five, and cites Bruno Mars as his idol.
Ironically Bruno Mars also started performing and entertaining at a young age. Now Tocle is determined to follow Bruno’s career path. Wherever there’s a competition in malls, theatres, talent shows and jam sessions Tocle is quick to enlist, performing before a growing base of enthralled fans.
Tocle says the biggest fear he’s had to overcome is stage fright. “I’m always very nervous, but I love the audience and it makes me happy to perform,” he said.
Tocle’s family says the young boy is exceptionally disciplined in both his personal and private life. He says that he tries hard to balance singing and school, “You need to have good time management and a performer’s attitude. You need to practice your piece every time and you need to be serious.”
Tocle says he loves to sing and dance, but that he knows that school must always come first. He told Tempo that he already has his future planned out, and hopes to become a certified accountant first, and a professional musician on the side.
As for the immediate future Tocle says he’ll continue playing shows around Dubai and performing some of his original compositions. He’s also working on improving his voice, and taking acting lessons.
Tocle enthuses, “Everybody loves music and music unites people. There’s no gender, religion, and nationality in music”. You hear him express these big ideas, and for a moment forget that he’s only 10.
With reports from Warren Fox
