Biography
Mariazelle Goonetilleke was born in Nugegoda in Colombo, Sri Lanka. She began her music career at the age of 7 years. At the age of 10 Mariazelle won the Junior Section of the Ceylon Observer All Island Talent Competition – it opened the door for her to join a pre-teen group of young musicians called the 'Junior Rhythmiers', a music group who were popular in Sri Lanka. The group were thrown into the spotlight when they were featured in the 1960s over the airwaves of Radio Ceylon, the oldest radio station in South Asia. The radio station 'ruled the airwaves' in the 1950s and 1960s so any exposure on Radio Ceylon was a huge boost to young artistes on the island. Mariazelle's music career spiralled upwards.
She studied classical guitar tutored by the renowned classical guitarist, the late Winston Jayawardene and vocal music from Mrs. Estelle de Niese. Mariazelle Goonetilleke attended St. Joseph's Convent School, Nugegoda.
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