Kia-Ora Unearths New Talent

ANOTHER successful Kia-Ora music camp drew to a close last night culminating in a concert showcasing the talents of local children.

Jillian Miles camp co-ordinator bringing the camp to a close for another year.

Jillian Miles, camp co-ordinator, said she hoped the camp would continue to inspire young people in the community.

“When a young person can play a musical instrument, dance or perform in a circus they will never be bored,” said Ms Miles.

“When you are older and looking back on your childhood, you won’t remember a funny YouTube video of a cat, but I hope you will remember the experiences like this and remember being nervous, tired but also excited, happy and very proud of yourself,” she said.

“Many performers were not born when this started 16 years ago and I hope many more children born here will have the chance to shine on this stage and in the future maybe even bigger stages,” Jillian Miles said.

The most anticipated award of the evening was the winner of the Amazing Voice competition.

The runner-up was Samantha Bell who sang Where I Stood by Missy Higgins and the winner was Kartya Bailey who sang Turning Tables by Adele.

Amazing Voice winner Kartya Bailey, with voice teacher Francine Bell and Kartya’s proud mum.

Kartya said she was unwell before she came out to perform, but she pushed through to give a great performance.

“I was freaking out, had the sorest throat, I was crying and I had to pull myself together,” said Ms Bailey.

“I have been singing since I was in year 3 and I love singing, but I was so shocked to win,” she said.

“Francine is just so amazing and I can’t wait to learn more from her I am just incredibly overwhelmed,” Kartya Bailey said.

Francine Bell was the talented voice teacher mentoring the budding singers during the camp and will now spend more time with Kartya providing her more guidance.

“I tell each singer that there is no-one like them and their voice is like a finger print, unique,” said Ms Bell.

“I look at what each singer and think about what they need and often it is mainly confidence,” she said.

Part of the horn section in the concert band

“They have all worked so hard, I dumped a lot of info on them and balanced out the toughness with the love and they respond.

“Singing also teaches life skills to be valuable citizens and stand and be confident, to be understood, to be heard and to do it with passion,” Francine Bell said.

Kia-Ora Award Recipients Were….

• Logo Design: Eleanor Wyndham
• Jazz Camp in Sydney: Madeleine Buckley
• Riverina String Summer School: Emily Turner
• Barry Rose Memorial Piano Award: Grace Pratley – piano workshop Newcastle Conservatorium
• Amazing Voice winner: Kartya Bailey – recording experience to make a demo tape and coaching experience with Francine Bell and will sing the national anthem at the Scone Cup race meeting.

A rare opportunity to play marimbas for local children

• Amazing Voice runner-up: Samantha Bell – master class at Newcastle Conservatorium in June and sing the national anthem at the Saturday race meeting of the Scone Cup Carnival.
• Upper Hunter Conservatorium of Music ½ scholarship lessons for 12 months:
  • Julia Wisniewski – Cello
  • Colby Sutherland – Saxaphone
• Dance Awards – National College of Dance Newcastle
  • Hannah Smith
  • Noah Peterson
  • Bridie O’Neill
  • Aneira Bray
• Merit Awards
  • Concert Band: Monique Crooks, Lucy McGrath, Alexandra Brooks, Joshua Crowther, Hannah Flynn, Paige Ollerton and Lizzy Douglaass.
  • 

    Students dancing at the Kia-Ora concert

    Strings: Madeline Phelps, Zoe Gallagher, Vanessa Kimpton.

  • Encouragement award: Bella Fernandes, Lily Collins, Georgina Pratley and Elizabeth Douglass.
  • Marimba: Lilly Collins, Danielle Skeffington.
  • Piano: Noah McGrath
  • Vocal: Kiahna Kamene, Patricia Payuma and Jacinta Lee.
  • Choir: Cloe Leeman, Logan Taylor, Hamish Guiana, Emily Taylor, Jack Carter and Lilly Collins.