What people say about SongFest
Grace Hill
Columba College graduate & 2nd year Otago Uni student:
“I have been performing in the Green Island competitions (SONGfest) every year since I was 7 years old. This event has been a key part of my singing development, and part of the reason I continue to sing and perform today.
I have learned many valuable skills through getting up on stage to sing in front of an audience. I have learned to take success and disappointment, developed long lasting friendships, and amazing performance skills. This festival has given me the ability to perform with confidence in any situation. I enjoy a wide range of performance opportunities with classical, musical theatre, contemporary and Waiata.
I then had the confidence to go on to successfully compete on the national stage at PACANZ Musical Theatre in Palmerston North in 2023.
I recommend everyone who loves singing to give SONGfest a go – you will gain lots of life skills, friends and your singing will develop to a whole new level!”
Jesse Hanan
Lead singer/songwriter of Dunedin indie/prog band IVY, bayfield high school grad, uni performance student, Classical Tenor:
“Competition has become a dirty word, but nothing beats SONGfest to get you ready for the real world of performing.
It’s taught me how to be a professional: singing in front of an audience, being disciplined, learning the music, understanding what I am singing about.
I used the feedback from the judges to make myself a better performer, to make a song my own. It taught me how to be versatile. It taught me to respect other singers, and genuinely support them as they supported me.
It gave me valuable life lessons, to take helpful criticism with good grace. You might not always win, but you never really ‘lose’. There’s no real risk. Just go for it.”
sam weepers
sponsor of the sheralyn weepers memorial waiata trophy
“It was a true honour and privilege for our whānau (my two daughters and I) to be invited to and participate in SONGfest’25!
The SONGfest committee decided to dedicate the Waiata section of SONGfest’25! to my late wife, Sheralyn Weepers. This made the occasion even more significant for us.
The members of the committee who communicated with us prior to and during the event were gracious, respectful and diligent in their efforts to create a memorable event for our whānau and all who attended.
The event itself was well organised, efficiently facilitated and provided a whānau friendly environment for performers and spectators. This environment encouraged performers to strive for excellence and allowed whānau and the wider community to be entertained and inspired by our young people. While this was a competitive event, a spirit of collaboration and community was prevalent throughout.
On a personal note, it was especially meaningful to our whānau for our beloved Sheralyn to be remembered and honoured by the wider Dunedin community. One performer even wrote and performed a waiata in te reo Māori about and for Sheralyn. Celebration of young talent, humanity and community connectedness were the natural outcomes of this event. It was clear to see, feel and hear the pride of the young performers, their whānau members and friends throughout the event…
We would particularly love to help strengthen the Waiata Māori component of the event, in honour of Sheralyn and for the benefit of the Ōtepoti community and our young people. I have complete confidence that SONGfest’26! will provide another unique opportunity for Dunedin’s young people, their whānau and the wider community to yet again experience the aforementioned goodness that exudes from this event.
Scott Bezett, Professional Tenor, Singing Teacher
“These were some of the very first singing events I participated in and were a wholly positive experience.
Being able to step out onto the stage was both a thrill and an important step in my growth as a performer, giving me the confidence I needed.
It exposed me to music and singing techniques that I hadn’t heard before and inspired me to expand my own musical knowledge and performance practices.”