Narrabri singers have dominated the grand final of the Moree Superstar, claiming first prize in the junior and senior categories.
Fifteen-year-old Isabelle Madden dazzled the judges with her solo rendition of We the Common at the Moree Town Hall on April 12, with guitar in hand. She won the senior individual section.
“They [the judges] said that I owned the stage and that I had a really happy vibe about myself and about the song I was singing,” she said.
Fellow Narrabri singers Lucy Norcross and EmyLee Farr also collected accolades, with Lucy winning the junior individual section and EmyLee being awarded the Duncan Wilkes encouragement award.
Twelve-year-old Lucy has studied piano and saxophone for a number of years and recently began singing.
Her parents Carolyn and James watched proudly as Lucy sung Little Me by British band Little Mix, and played the keyboard.
About 21 people competed in the youth competition, which is aimed at eight to thirteen-year-olds and 14 to 24-year-olds.
It was judged by Moree residents Stuart King, Stevie Drenkhahn and Steve McPherson, as well as guest judges from Inverell, Goondiwindi and Narrabri and X-Factor 2013 runner up Taylor Henderson.
Taylor was a big drawcard, and the highlight of the whole experience for some young participants.
Isabelle and Lucy auditioned for the challenge at the Narrabri Bowling Club two weeks before the grand final.
Both won their auditions.
“I’m really passionate about singing and it’s a way to get yourself out there and noticed,” Isabelle said of her reasons for entering.
The Year 10 student from Narrabri High School was thrilled with her result, particularly against singers who were much older than she.
Isabelle’s been singing for five years and hopes to pursue a career in music.
Isabelle, the daughter of Sonya and Brian Madden, was nervous when she saw the large audience waiting to hear her perform.
“I was very nervous going in to it, especially with Taylor Henderson there. It just made it more serious,” she said.
But her nerves disappeared as soon as she started singing.
“You just forget about it I guess, once you’re singing it’s just you and the song and it doesn’t really
matter.”
Isabelle had practised her grand final song at a talent development program in Sydney earlier this year and refined her technique again recently during a vocal camp at Lake
Keepit.
It was her second time competing in the contest, following her runner-up performance in the junior section a few years ago. The first place prize was new mobile phone.