St. George's Kaden White headed to national beatbox competition

ST. GEORGE'S, N.L. — FRANK GALE
THE WESTERN STAR

ST. GEORGE’S — When his buddy Christian O’Neill moved back to St. George's after living out of province for a while, he brought home something that would change Kaden White's life.
O'Neill had picked up beatboxing.
White, who was in Grade 10 at Appalachia High School at the time, didn't just think it was cool. He knew it was something he wanted to do.
Fast forward a couple of years and 18-year-old White is preparing to be a competitor in the Canadian Beatbox Championship in Toronto Nov. 23.
White explained beatboxing as a form of vocal percussion involving the art of mimicking drum machines to make songs.
For the past two years, he has been travelling the island competing in provincial talent shows, having fun and success. He has taken part in Music NL talent competitions in St. John’s and Twillingate.
White said his dad, Calvin White, also loves beatbox big time and has been his biggest supporter, purchasing microphones and speakers for him to practice his craft.
While his dad has put his money where his mouth is — pardon the pun, his mom Laurie Barron and sister Kayla White have been big moral supporters of his beatbox talents.
White also had praise for his former high school art teacher, John Carberry, to whom he submitted a final art project in Grade 11 that showcased his beatboxing prowess.
“I really had no idea what to do and hesitantly submitted a video of me beatboxing and a paper explaining how I do it,” he said.
White got 100 per cent in the project.
It was a big accomplishment for him. It was before he started performing live and it was a reality check that affirmed people liked what he was doing.
It’s what made him further pursue beatboxing.
“Prior to going to the championships, I’m trying to perform in front of an audience whenever I can because I know I will have tough competition,” White said.
He plans to go to as many open mic nights as he can at Grenfell Campus, Memorial University in Corner Brook on Thursdays. He is currently studying psychology there and working toward becoming a guidance counsellor.
Two competitors at the upcoming championship are previous winners, including one two-time champ, who have been beatboxing since 2010.
White said he is the first person from western Newfoundland and just the second from the province as a whole to qualify. There was a competitor from Mount Pearl in 2011.
Between school work, coaching a high school ball hockey team and his beatbox practice, he has little or no time for himself.
However, that’s just how he likes it because it motivates him to improve.
White has never been to Toronto, so he’s excited visit and immerse himself into the beatbox competition.

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