Local students Hannah Dun (14) and Anabelle van Wyk (12) have qualified for the Australian National Busking Championships (ANBC) Grand Finals after exceptional performances at the regional finals in Peak Hill.
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Hannah won first place in the secondary category and Annabelle placed first in the primary section to earn their spots in the grand final in Cooma on November 16.
Other locals to have their talent recognised were Gracie-Denham Jones who came second in the secondary category, and Gemma Ellis who came second in the primary category.
Special Judges Awards went to Artie Wright (Best Local Award) and Hannah also won the Jazz Music Award and the Peoples Choice Award.
The grand final in Cooma is not a new experience for Hannah and Anabelle, they were both runners-up in their age category last year, and are hoping for an even better outcome in November.
"I really enjoyed Cooma last year and am looking forward to going back," Anabelle said.
"I felt grateful for being awarded runner-up in 2018 but there is always room for improvement! I will be practicing hard and just doing my best."
Hannah said she is feeling excited.
"I love to share my love for music with people and Cooma is very crowded during the grand finals, it is such a great opportunity to perform" she said.
The girls both have a great love of jazz.
It was Anabelle's performance of 'Feeling Good' by Nina Simone with a combination of sax and singing that won her first place, while Hannah's renditions of 'It's a Man's Man's Man's World' and 'Crazy' by Gnarls Barkley secured her the win.
"I enjoy many genres of music but I particularly like jazz and blues," Anabelle said.
"Some of my famous artists include Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day and Louis Armstrong. However, I also like many other artists."
Hannah said she has a deep love for jazz and soul music.
"They're such complex yet beautiful genres," she said.
"I find myself listening to artists such as Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone and Louis Armstrong every morning, afternoon and night.
"I listen to so much jazz and soul that I think my parents have memorized the lyrics of all the songs by now!"
Both born performers, their voices are not the only talent the girls possess with both of them also playing instruments.
"I play saxophone, guitar and sing but this year I decided to focus on my saxophone and singing for the championships," Anabelle said.
"Whenever I improve on my music, I feel very happy and a sense of achievement!
"I also love standing on stage or the street, performing.
"Whether it be M&D musicals, school productions or busking, I love the sensation."
Hannah said she has been singing ever since she could talk and playing piano since she was nine.
"I had my first solo when I was seven, and oh how delighted I was," she said.
"I even did the typical "wave at Mum" on stage.
"I am soon going to be investing in a drum kit and some loop machines. I think it would be fun! Isn't that what music is about?"
Anabelle said she appreciates all the opportunities that the Peak Hill Busking Championships have given her.
"One of my favourite parts of Peak Hill was when I started playing a song and a couple of people started dancing and singing along!" she said.
"I also liked seeing some of the familiar faces again and meeting new ones.
"I hope that I will be able to keep performing and competing at Peak Hill!"
Hannah said a highlight of her day at Peak Hill was seeing the smiles and reactions of the audience while performing.
"I also was thrilled to see people from around NSW supporting this event and having a look at the buskers while driving through Peak Hill," she said.
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