Talented Pikiteora Mura-Hita preferred sports - until she discovered people loved her voice. Sharu Delilkan meets her.
On November 12, women, and only women, will star in a concert that showcases female voices and songwriters, Lyrical Sisters.
One of the featured artists, Pikiteora Mura-Hita, is impatient to climb onto that stage.
"I'm really looking forward to performing alongside my wahine and representing the local
sisters,'' she says. "I think we need more of these type of events, especially since the male performers are very dominant out there.''
The winner of Maori Television's Homai Te Pakipaki 2008 talent quest says Lyrical Sisters will also be her return to Otara Music Arts Centre (OMAC), where she made her debut in a talent quest three years ago.
The 19-year-old from Pukekohe says: "OMAC was the first time I performed at a public gig so it's going to be special to be performing there now that I'm all grown up.''
Ironically, singing was not what Mura-Hita wanted to pursue when she was growing up.
"I wanted to do rugby or netball, but some one suggested that I try out for the talent quest. I honestly didn't realise that people liked my voice until I got up and sang.''
The Music and Audio Institute of New Zealand graduate who is majoring in vocals, once
said of her days in class that they were "the only reason I wake up in the morning - knowing I'm going somewhere I love''.
No doubt Mura-Hita will feel the same way at Lyrical Sisters. "I adore the intimacy of a live audience and the immediacy of the crowd's feedback. It's the sort of buzz like no other and I can't get enough of it.''
Lyrical Sisters, Otara Music Arts Centre,
cnr Newbury St and Bairds Rd, Otara Town Centre,
Nov 12, 7pm. Entry free.
Bookings: ph 274 6400.
