When former Taupo florist Nikki Pocock shifted to Ohope seven years ago with her children she could barely play a guitar, had never sung in public or written any original music scores.
But tomorrow the 36-year-old mother of two will be returning to Taupo with her band The Huneybee Wild as a feature act at the inaugural Lake Taupo Food and Beer Festival on the Tongariro domain.
The band will be performing with Nikki's uncle, well-known Taupo musician Bazz Thatcher - Unkle Bazz - who Nikki says was largely responsible for launching her singing/songwriting career.
Although Nikki was 29 when she found her voice and started dabbling with the guitar there are musicians on both sides of her family. She says her uncle was always a source of inspiration.
"He'd been a musician since high school, always playing music, and I looked up to him hugely.