Talented Kaeo teenager sets sights on Hollywood

Teenage singer Te Rina Kahle hopes to break into the big time in Hollywood next year.

Kaeo teenager Te Rina Kahle began showing her talent as a singer some years ago, and now the Whangaroa College student has her sights set on breaking into the big time at next year's World Championships of Performing Arts in Hollywood.

Te Rina, who celebrated her 17th birthday yesterday, will be accompanied by her older sister Darrylee when she heads to the nine-day event in June next year.

Her mother, Varlo, said her family were "pretty proud" of her youngest of three children, and confident she would do well.

The focus now was on raising the money she needed to make the most of her big chance.

Te Rina, and other local artists, will stage a 'TK to LA' concert at the Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club on Sunday November 20, starting 4pm, where supporters will be invited to donate or offer sponsorship.

Raffles, an auction and face-painting will also be on the programme, and food and drinks will be available.

"Te Rina started singing five or six years ago - she gets it from her dad - and she loves it," Mrs Kahle said. "She has a soul/bluesy sort of voice, but does more modern stuff too.

And she's doing well at school; she hopes to study music at university."

She already had some big gigs on her CV, performing with Suzanne Prentice, 1814 and others, but Hollywood would be a whole new experience.

Event CEO Griff O'Neil said the championships were viewed as the Olympics for aspiring performing artists. Scholarships worth $380,000 would be awarded, with more than 100 agents, producers, casting directors and music industry reps judging and conducting seminars.

"All in all this is a rare opportunity for a privileged few," he said.

National director New Zealand Dina Janse Van Rensburg said being selected for Team New Zealand (aka the Black Stars) was a major accomplishment in itself.