By Emily Norman
Music and show business come naturally to 17-year-old Madelyne Slater-Carter, a performer from Greytown.
The teen has only been singing for about five years, but has already penned more than 550 songs, and has been offered auditions to perform in world-class musicals overseas.
But for now, school is the priority.
The former St Matthew’s Collegiate student is now a fulltime Year 12 boarder at Wanganui Collegiate School where, next year, she will be the student Head of Music.
Although she aspires to study a double degree in Law and Finance and work in the legal profession, Madelyne’s success in the arts is in her blood.
“I got into music and acting and stuff through my dad,” she said.
“He’s a stuntman in New Zealand movies and works with Peter Jackson.”
Her mother Jaime Slater is a well-known Wairarapa real estate agent, and is also supportive of her daughter’s success in the arts.
Madelyne writes and records her own music and recently achieved Grade 8 with Distinction in the Trinity College pop/rock examinations.
She took the lead in the school production for Oliver as Nancy, but has in the past turned down auditions in productions like the Lion King Musical in Australia, and the movie Pete’s Dragon.
She said she turned down the roles to continue with her education at the Whanganui boarding school.
“Many people who are close to me know that music is always going to be there for me, but as the music and film industries are not secure industries, I will need to have plan B to fall back on,” she said.
“After I leave school at the end of next year I will follow onto University to study Law, still having music as it very much is today, as an escape from the busyness of everything.”
In her spare time, Madelyne hopes to record a covers and originals album with a studio in Auckland.
“I have to save up about $3500 for that and as a full boarder you don’t really have the chance to work, so I’m going to try to get some work over the holidays.”
Madelyne is back home in Greytown for Christmas and performed a few pieces at the Greytown Christmas carols on the weekend.
What a brilliant well-balanced girl.
I wish her every success, whether in plan A or plan B!
And a happy Christmas to her and her parents.
From a part time Greytown resident and lover of the Wairarapa.
Awesome article on this amazing young lady’s craft.
Madz you truly rock. P.S. ‘You got it from yo mama’ xx