Rick Beato Praises 13-Year-Old Sydney Singer Niko Karolias Debut Single During Australian Tour

When a 13‑year‑old Sydney singer steps onto the airwaves, the industry takes notice.

Rick Beato, the American producer and YouTube educator who has cultivated a community of over 5.7 million subscribers, will bring his signature “What Makes This Song Great?” workshop to a larger venue in Sydney this October. The show is part of a new Australian leg of his tour, organized by Frontier Touring, which has expanded to accommodate the growing demand for live music‑education performances.

During a recent interview on 702 ABC Sydney Mornings, hosted by Hamish Macdonald, Beato was asked to dissect “Sana,” the debut single by 13‑year‑old Niko Karolia. Karolia had just made her first radio appearance on the program, and Beato praised the track’s melody for its natural “da da, da da” hook that can stand alone without accompaniment. He highlighted a songwriting technique common in nursery rhymes, noting the use of antecedent and consequent phrases that pose and answer musical questions.

Karolia, a native of Sydney, said she wants to become a global pop star. She began writing songs at a young age and has collaborated with fellow performers Tanisha, Jess Jade, her cousin Jake Sta‑Maria, and her father, Imz Karolia. Her father, initially hesitant about a music career, changed his mind after seeing her dedication. He recalled recording videos of her singing and dancing from infancy and enrolling her in performing‑arts programs at age four.

Beato’s comments came amid a broader discussion of the single’s structure. He noted that the melody’s strength is evident even when stripped of chords and arrangement—a quality he says is essential for a memorable pop hook. The analysis fits within Beato’s broader educational framework, which has already broken down classics such as Elton John’s “Tiny Dancer,” Coldplay’s “The Scientist,” Fleetwood Mac’s “Go Your Own Way,” and Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit.”

The Australian tour will feature live demonstrations of the “What Makes This Song Great?” format, allowing audiences to see how Beato breaks down songwriting, production, and musical techniques in real time. The Sydney date was upgraded to a larger venue after ticket demand exceeded initial expectations. Beato’s YouTube channel, which has amassed more than 2 billion views, has enabled him to interview high‑profile musicians, including Brian May, Sting, David Gilmour, and Billy Joel.

Karolia’s single “Sana” was released on 1 July 2026 and is available on major streaming platforms such as Apple Music and Shazam. The track’s release has already drawn attention from local media, and the interview on ABC Sydney has increased her visibility among Australian listeners.

Beato’s analysis of “Sana” underscores the importance of strong melodic hooks in contemporary pop. His observation that the song’s melody can carry the track without accompaniment aligns with industry practices that prioritize vocal lines as the focal point of a single.

The tour’s timing coincides with a broader trend of music educators bringing studio‑style analysis to live audiences. By combining educational content with performance, Beato is expanding the reach of his “What Makes This Song Great?” series beyond YouTube.

In summary, Rick Beato’s upcoming Australian tour will feature a live breakdown of Niko Karolia’s debut single, highlighting the song’s melodic strengths and songwriting techniques. The event reflects Beato’s continued influence in music education and Karolia’s emerging career as a young pop artist.