Rotorua singer Lizzie Marvelly says she's proud of her first pop single and can't wait to share her new musical direction with her home town.
Marvelly has rebranded from Elizabeth to Lizzie and yesterday she released her first pop single Generation Young after two classical crossover albums.
The 24-year-old said she chose to take the leap from classical crossover to pop because she wanted to sing and write the songs in her heart.
"I guess I came to a crossroads, if you like, and realised I wanted to sing and do what made me happy."
She said she felt if she continued with her classical crossover work, her music would not be as honest and genuine as she wanted it to be.
Marvelly said she was excited about her journey into the pop world.
"I suppose I took my classical glasses off and saw that there was a whole new world of genres to explore, something which was really exciting for me.
"I can't put it into words how excited I am to be releasing this song."
The new single was co-written by Marvelly, Stuart Crichton and Universal Music Australia/ABC Music Australia's Sinead Burgess.
"I have no idea how it will be reviewed or how other people will react to it, but I really hope they enjoy it."
Generation Young was about being young and standing up for what you believed in and being "proud of who you are", she said.
"It's a great summer song too, something that young people can listen to when they're at the beach chilling out with friends."
No matter how the song was received by listeners she was proud of it, she said.
"I'm really happy with it. I'm just so blessed to have had the opportunity to release this song."
Marvelly was excited to be performing at Rotorua's Lakeside concert in February.
Concert-goers can expect her to perform Generation Young and another new song, being released soon.
"I can't wait. I always look forward to coming back home. I guess you can say I have an unbreakable tie to the city.
"No matter what city I'm in, I always know where I came from and am really proud of being from Rotorua."
Marvelly's single is available from iTunes and her full EP is expected to be released in mid 2014.
Waiariki Academy of Singing and Music manager Richard Anaru reckoned Marvelly's new single was great. He hoped her fans would like the singer's change in direction.
"It's certainly an indication of which direction she wants to go and I think that must be exciting for her.
"She's a young woman, trying to reach a young audience and I think that's great."
He described Marvelly as a talented musician whose success was well-deserved and he wished her success with her new journey.