From a wee tot, Eleanor Covell has always been vocal.
The "talking and screaming" became singing as she pranced around the house singing her opera scales and this weekend that love of music and singing won her the top prize in the annual Institute of Registered Music Teachers of New Zealand Rotorua scholarship competition.
The Western Heights High School student competed against 11 other singers and pianists to win the $1000 prize, which will go straight into her savings account to help her pursue her dream of studying classical music at university level.
Eleanor also won the Best Presentation award, while pianist Shamus Baker took the second place and the prize of $500, with another soprano, Emma Cronshaw Hunt, winning third prize, worth $250.