Massey University student and Hastings musician Shaqaila Uelese is already planning the sequel to the Piano Marathon for Cancer charity event she organised, inspired by her late father and Pacific community leader, Moapi Uelese.
Miss Uelese played 24 hours of music over six weeks in locations including Wellington, Levin, Palmerston North and in her home town, Hastings.
She played every Saturday, from August 31 to October 4, with no music sheets, just relying on improvisation, memory and a repertoire of contemporary pop piano, jazz, classical, big band, gospel music as well as requests from visitors.
She completed the marathon at Cranford Hospice in Hastings last week, exceeding the fundraising goal she had set of $5000.
The money will be split between the Cranford Hospice in Hastings and the Wellington Cancer Society, in recognition of her father who died a year ago, losing his 18-month battle against Multiple Myeloma cancer.