Nianell, or formally Sonia Nel, was born in Omaruru

Omaruru

Omaruru may refer to:* Omaruru, Namibia* Omaruru Constituency* Omaruru River...

, Namibia

Namibia

Namibia, officially the Republic of Namibia , is a country in southern Africa whose western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Angola and Zambia to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and east. It gained independence from South Africa on 21 March...

, is a South African singer, pianist, guitarist and composer. After growing up in Windhoek

Windhoek

Windhoek is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Namibia. It is located in central Namibia in the Khomas Highland plateau area, at around above sea level. The 2001 census determined Windhoek's population was 233,529...

, Nianell graduated with a 3 year diploma in light music from Pretoria Technikon in South Africa and has also studied classical music at Trinity College

Trinity College

-Australia:* Trinity Catholic College Lismore, a Catholic secondary school in New South Wales* Trinity College , part of the University of Melbourne, in Melbourne, Victoria* Trinity College, Gawler, Adelaide, South Australia...

 in London

London

London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...

, UK and the University of South Africa

University of South Africa

The University of South Africa is a distance education university, with headquarters in Pretoria, South Africa. With approximately 300 000 enrolled students, it qualifies as one of the world's mega universities.-History:...

.

She has a four-octave vocal range and her songs have been described as including "elements of Folk, Pop, R&B, Country, Classic and even Celtic music". Four of her albums; "Who Painted The Moon?", "Angel Tongue", "Life's Gift", and "I Know I'm Lucky", have reached platinum status in South Africa. In April 2011 she released her first album in the United States.

Nianell has shared a stage with Christina Aguilera

Christina Aguilera

Christina María Aguilera is an American recording artist and actress. Aguilera first appeared on national television in 1990 as a contestant on the Star Search program, and went on to star in Disney Channel's television series The Mickey Mouse Club from 1993–1994...

, Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli

Andrea Bocelli, is an Italian tenor, multi-instrumentalist and classical crossover artist. Born with poor eyesight, he became blind at the age of twelve following a soccer accident....

, Westlife

Westlife

Westlife are an Irish boy band established on 3 July 1998. They are to disband in 2012. The group's line-up was Nicky Byrne, Kian Egan, Mark Feehily, Shane Filan, and Brian McFadden . The group are the only act in British and Irish history to have their first seven singles peak at number one...

, Diana Ross

Diana Ross

Diana Ernestine Earle Ross is an American singer, record producer, and actress. Ross was lead singer of the Motown group The Supremes during the 1960s. After leaving the group in 1970, Ross began a solo career that included successful ventures into film and Broadway...

, Shakira

Shakira

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll , known professionally as Shakira , is a Colombian singer who emerged in the music scene of Colombia and Latin America in the early 1990s...

, Freshly Ground, and the Grammy Award winning Soweto Gospel Choir

Soweto Gospel Choir

-History:The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed in Soweto, South Africa by David Mulovhedzi and Beverly Bryer, two choir directors. The 30+ member ensemble blends elements of African gospel, Negro spirituals, reggae, and American popular music...

. She released a duet album with Dozi and another duet album with Afro-Pop artists Romanz will be released in May 2011.

She has performed in South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, England, Ireland, Belgium, Germany, Latvia and France.

She and her husband, Andrew Thompson, have triplets, all girls.

In 1998 she played netball

Netball

Netball is a ball sport played between two teams of seven players. Its development, derived from early versions of basketball, began in England in the 1890s. By 1960 international playing rules had been standardised for the game, and the International Federation of Netball and Women's Basketball ...

 in the Namibian national team.

First Platinum Hit

Nianell got her International First Platinum Hit with her song "Who Painted The Moon?" The composition was covered by another international superstar Hayley Westernra on the album "Pure." The album sold over 2 million copies and Nianell’s version was featured as a single on this album.

SAMA Awards

Nianell has won 2 SAMA Awards

South African Music Awards

The South African Music Awards are an annual award ceremony, run by the Recording Industry of South Africa , where accolades are presented to members of South Africa's music industry. Winners receive a statuette is called a SAMA. The event was established in 1995...

for her song "Angel Tongue" winning "Best English Contemporary album" and "Best Female songwriter for 'We’ll Find A Way'"

Discography

2002 - Who Painted The Moon (CD)
2004 - Angel Tongue (CD)
2006 (March) - Life's Gift (CD)
2007 - As One (Live DVD, concert at Emperor's Palace)
2008 - I Know I'm Lucky (CD)
2009 - It Takes Two with Dozi (DVD)

2010 - Sand & Water (CD)

2011 - Who Painted The Moon- U.S. Compilation Album (iTunes Digital Download)