Meg Hunter, winner of the 14-and-Under competition at the Talent Wairarapa Grand Finale. PHOTO/EMMA BROWN
Eldred takes Over-14 comp
EMMA BROWN
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Meg Hunter was “completely shocked” when her name was called as winner of the 14-and-Under competition at the Watermart Talent Wairarapa Grand Finale in front of a “packed out” Carterton Events Centre on Saturday night.
The Kuranui College pupil said, “there were some amazing singers in my group.”
Earlier in the competition Hunter had taken advice from the judges to try writing her own songs, playing her first original in the semi-final at Makoura College on May 25.
She repeated that formula in the final and credits her passion for poems for making her songs work, along with accompanying herself on piano.
While it was stressful waiting to perform, and she was so focused she walked straight past MC Kieran McAnulty to the piano, she enjoyed the performance and the aftermath.
“It feels pretty cool [to win], and to know that I can actually write songs,” Hunter said.
Having found the whole experience motivating, she is looking forward to continuing to write and grow her new skill. She is thinking about recording an album next which she can use towards NCEA credits.
Joint runners-up were another piano player, Max Cayless and the Year 9 Waicol Band, who also won the People’s Choice Award.
The Over-14 competition was won by Julian Eldred who also performed original music. He just shaded singer, Jerome Lopa.
Eldred was “stoked” to win, after changing it up from the semi-finals.
Co-organiser Fuzzbox Designs Ltd’s Nikki King said, “The different style with a backing track blew the judges away.”
‘Meg and Jack’ – Megan Osmond and Jack Mosser won the People’s Choice Award for the Over-14 competition.
Mosser said, “Winning the people’s choice award felt the best way to win.
“It was a very proud moment for the both of us. I feel our performance went really well and it’s the most fun I’ve had performing.”
Eight acts competed in both the 14-and-Under and Over-14 competitions having made their way to the finale through heats and semi-finals.
