The 17-year-old called them a pop-rock band full of energy and whose material was easy to dance to.
THE BRADAS, Davian Laufiso, Travis Pita, Dominic Fa'alava'au and Darius Opini, all 17, Alfriston College, South Auckland Brotherly love has helped four young men to come together to make music - something they hope will inspire other youngsters to chase their dreams too.
Tenor Davian Laufiso said the group's unique name was coined from the word "brothers" and a phrase that a lot of people in their school were using at the time.
"It was something people were saying back then. It's like, you're agreeing to do your best - for the brothers. You have that person's back."
The 17-year-olds have been together since 2012. Their sharp choreography and suits have seen them turn out for some major gigs already, including singing the national anthem on live TV for a Black Ferns match.
Asked what their key genre of music was, Davian said: "We take every genre and we brada-fy it. We change it up to suit us, whether it be rock, blues, funk, soul or gospel."
ELAE, Anna Robinson and Olivia Nott, both 18, Garin College, Nelson Being able to mesh their voices together and produce a unique sound is one of the big reasons friends Anna Robinson and Olivia Nott love to make music.
The girls made it through to the top 10 finalists last year as well.
Anna said returning to the RockQuest stage was an exciting,but also humbling, experience for them.
"For me and Livvy, making it to the finals is it. That alone is incredible for us and if we don't win, then it's not a loss."
The pair used their initials to come up with a unique moniker when it was put to them that their old name - Livvy and Anna - was not very interesting.
"Hopefully people like it now," Anna laughed.
HEAD CHEF, Carlos McQuillan, Leon van Dijk, Dylan Quinn and Ted Bartley, Wellington High School For a group of mates in the band Head Chef, music is all about the feel-good groove.
Their style sounds a lot like reggae, but with elements of rock and pop infused into it.
Rhythm guitarist and singer Carlos McQuillan said: "It's reggae-inspired rock but with some jazz and some psychedelic rock."
The boys have been playing together for about a year now, but have also collaborated through other bands in their region.
Their interesting name was inspired by a friend of the band who they said "used to cook us up the meanest feeds".
Although they were looking forward to taking part in this year's RockQuest competition, Carlos said making music was all that mattered.
"We're just four guys playing some nice music with simple songs about things like girls, friends and walking home at night."
GEORGIA LINES, Year 13, Bethlehem College, TaurangaWriting music is something that comes naturally to Tauranga teen Georgia Lines.
She says her personal experiences and the people in her life always prove to be the best inspiration for good music.
"There is an aspect to my lyrics that can sometimes make you think twice - and I try to balance the lyrics by using a hook and catchy melody," she said.
The teen - whose music style is described as alternative-pop - also took out the Bay of Plenty Smokefree Award for Woman's Musicianship.
CAM DAWSON, 14, Manurewa High School Cameron Dawson's ability to reach his audience through music is nothing short of magic, one of his music teachers said.
Shannon Coulomb said the youngster always managed to impress when he was put in front of a piano and microphone.
"He can do everything from rock to full-on funk, ballad and pop.
"He just plays the grand piano and is just really diverse in his love of music - and then there's his voice, it's just magic."
Cam, originally from Blenheim, was born blind and recently moved to Auckland to board at the Blind and Low Vision Education Network NZ campus in Manurewa.
He particularly enjoys instrumental music and composing on his computer. He was placed third in the Auckland solo/duo category for the RockQuest and received the best song award.
JOE'S VAN, Jake Nicholas, Rory Priest and Cormac Seymour, Mt Maunganui College The success of a group of mates from the Mount has shown how popular their chosen style of music - alternative-funk - really is.
Speaking about their unique style, lead guitarist Cormac said people liked them because their sound was different.
"We just put our hand in the cookie jar, grab a few genres out and mash it together like a mashed potato."
The trio have taken part in Smokefree RockQuest competitions for the past six years.
SODA BOYZ, Jules Rosenbrook, Felix Carr and Josh Finegan, Palmerston North Boys' High and Freyberg HighThe noise-punk group are expected to bring some grunty and loud music to the RockQuest finals.
The three friends have been playing music separately for the past few years and decided to come together to form a band earlier this year.
Like the other RockQuest finalists, they were in Kiwi legend Neil Finn's Roundhead Studios, in Auckland, to get some tips of the trade from those working in the music industry.
Josh told the Manawatu Standard they were looking forward to learning more about music and also competing against other students.
"We just do our thing and our advantage is that we are straight to the point," he said.
VIVID, Ash Parton, Ellie McBurney, Kathleen Williams and Jade Paynter, Diocesan School for Girls and Marist College, AucklandGirl power will be elevated to awhole other level when the only girl band among the finalists goes on stage.
The band - whose style is described as being indie pop-rock - have been together since the girls were junior students at their respective schools.
They have made appearances on television in previous years, and this week performed their hit Get to Know Ya on the Good Morning show.
