Young music star shines on stage

Eliza Kerstin-Brown first picked up a guitar at two years old and was singing Taylor Swift songs before she could speak.

And while the Bohally Intermediate Year 8 student says her taste in music has developed beyond dancing in the lounge to Shake it Off as a preschooler, so has her musical talent.

Eliza was announced as the winner of Marlborough’s Smokefree RockQuest Solo/Duo section, and the ZM Best Song winner for ‘Excited’ on Friday evening, after singing and playing her ukelele alongside fellow students as the youngest entrant.

“I thought I’d be nervous, I was more confused because I wasn’t nervous. I felt more nervous performing at assembly at school than in the theatre - mum was much more nervous than I was!”, says Eliza.

“But I was really happy with my performance on stage too, because I think a perfect balance of nerves and confidence meant I didn’t have any stumbles.

“Being announced as the ZM Best Song winner was amazing, but then hearing my name read again as the winner I was so shocked and so happy”.

Eliza’s regional victory also meant that she won a $250 RockShop voucher, and the chance to enter a three song video qualification entry to hopefully represent Marlborough at the national finals.

“Technically, the first time I picked up a guitar was mum’s one when I was two, but I’ve always loved making up little songs and jingles on the spot”, says Eliza.

“The ukelele is a naturally happy instrument, but I don’t think my songs sit in any specific genre – I just like being a singer-songwriter.

“I had a really productive session writing a song each day about a month ago for RockQuest - I was just in this creative mindset and wrote Excited which I performed on stage, and another two which I’ll enter unless I write something I like better before recording my entry.

The judges’ comments mentioned how impressed they were by Eliza’s confidence and stage presence, with mum Sarah agreeing with the sentiment.

“I was blown away by Eliza, because I was really terrified for her because she looked so little stepping onto the stage but she absolutely owned it”, says Sarah.

“She’s done a bit of busking and performing, but she took the stage by storm and I’m so proud.

“Going from being surprised to hear her chattering to music as a little one, I couldn’t help but watch through watery eyes”.

Smokefree RockQuest Marlborough results

Band 1st - No Clue from Marlborough Girls’ College

2nd - Dart Complex from Marlborough Boys’ College

3rd - Watchamacallits from Marlborough Boys’ College and Marlborough Girls’ College

Solo/Duo 1^st - Eliza Kerstin-Brown from Bohally Intermediate

2nd - Jess & Marei from Marlborough Girls’ College

Tangata Beats 1st - Persia & Chardae from Marlborough Girls’ College

Musicianship Award - Ziggy Adriatico (Drums) of the band Watchamacallits from Marlborough Boys’ College

Musicianship Award - Kanon Tsuchiya (Drums) of the band Serendipty from Marlborough Girls’ College

Smokefree Best Vocals Award - Jess & Marei from Marlborough Girls’ College

ZM Best Song Award - Eliza Kerstin-Brown from Bohally Intermediate