AdminFor many young people, music is a structured pursuit, confined to lessons, rehearsals and graded examinations. For 13-year-old True El-Deeb, however, music has steadily evolved into a powerful means of storytelling — one that recently carried her onto an international humanitarian stage in Rome.
On 18 April 2026, True headlined the inaugural presentation of the Saint Michael’s Foundation at Villa Miani, a historic venue overlooking the Italian capital. The event, attended by senior policymakers, Vatican representatives and international stakeholders, focused on urgent humanitarian issues including child poverty, trafficking and abuse. For a school-going teenager, the scale and gravity of the occasion marked a significant milestone.
Early training, discipline, and balanced student life
True began singing at four, and by six was already listening to and performing songs from The Phantom of the Opera. Formal coaching started in 2018 and has progressed steadily; she achieved ABRSM Grade 5 with distinction, enabling her to skip Grades 6 and 7, and is now preparing for Grade 8. Balancing academic responsibilities with intensive musical preparation remains a daily reality.
Now studying at Marlborough College Malaysia, she divides her time between school life in Johor and weekends in Singapore, where her family has long been based. “Switching gears between being a student and being a performer can sometimes be difficult because they require different mind sets,” she said. “At school I am pretty much like all other kids enjoying school and the company of friends.”
Her routine reflects a disciplined approach shaped by years of training, where technical precision underpins performance. She cites reaching a G5 note as a personal milestone, not as a showpiece but as evidence of careful vocal development. Weekdays are tightly scheduled between classes, homework and at least an hour of music practice, while weekends are dedicated to extended coaching sessions and studio work. “The more challenging bit is managing my time to make sure that I can cover all my commitments – so I usually work a pretty tight schedule,” she added.
Despite the demands, True maintains a grounded perspective, crediting the support of her family and school. Raised in a culturally rich household with a Malaysian Chinese mother and British father, music was a constant presence throughout her upbringing, from informal performances to studio sessions. That foundation has allowed her to step confidently into increasingly prominent performance spaces while retaining a sense of normalcy.
Finding authenticity through original songwriting
Central to True’s artistic identity is her growing body of original work, including “Before I Knew the Word”, a song that reflects her own experiences of adolescence and emotional discovery. Rather than adopting narratives beyond her years, she has chosen to write from a place of authenticity.
“I am still 13 and I have not truly experienced the emotions those songs are about,” she said, referring to classic ballads she performs. “I wanted to write about the stuff I was feeling while growing up and trying to understand things.”
Her songwriting process varies, often beginning with a melody or a lyrical idea sparked by everyday observations. Yet the act of sharing personal compositions has required a degree of vulnerability. “It is like you are exposing your inside to the world and to be honest this is still a bit difficult for me. When its is personal you get scared of people seeing this side of you and you get worried about being judged,” she acknowledged.
Her Rome performance featured a carefully curated seven-song set, including two originals. Among them was “The Unseen”, co-written with her father to draw attention to children living at the edge of visibility. The song has since been adopted as an anthem by multiple humanitarian groups. While the themes are complex, True approaches them with sensitivity, particularly when performing for younger audiences.
“Many of us hear those words and nod acknowledgedly but most cannot relate to the reality of the plight of the victims,” she said. “This song is very emotional for me because the plight of those victims is heartbreaking.”
Composure under pressure and connection beyond borders
Performing at Villa Miani presented both opportunity and challenge. True described initial nerves heightened by the formality of the event and the presence of high-profile guests. “Watching all the fancy grand cars drop off those guests in tuxedos and evening dresses and the 5 or 6 journalists gathered at the entrance was a bit scary,” she recalled.
The pressure intensified when a message from Italian President Sergio Mattarella was delivered ahead of her performance, underscoring the event’s significance. Yet once on stage, her focus shifted. “As the first notes of the music played most of the nervousness went away,” she said.
An unexpected power outage during her set briefly plunged the venue into darkness, but the interruption became a turning point. “For some reason this seemed to cut off my nervousness as well which honestly, made me feel a little more light hearted; after the lights were back on I continued, no longer afraid.”
Reflecting on the night, she emphasised the emotional connection with her audience as the most meaningful outcome. “A lady in the audience came up to me after the show… and said that my voice gives her goose pimples and then she hugged me,” she shared. “This kind of connection with people is the most important thing for me.”
Looking ahead, True is set to return closer to home, participating in the Freedom PomPom school roadshow across Singapore and Malaysia. The initiative aims to raise awareness of modern slavery, human trafficking and child labour among younger audiences.
As her journey continues, True’s story reflects a broader narrative — one where youth, discipline and empathy intersect, offering a reminder that meaningful voices can emerge early, and resonate far beyond expectations.
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