A Bethlehem 12-year-old hopes her husky, distinctive voice will set her apart from seven fellow junior singers in tomorrow’s New Zealand Entertainer of the Year (EOY) competition.
Elsa Griffiths has enjoyed a whirlwind four-year journey to the national event, which will be presented by the New Zealand Country Music Association (NZCMA) on October 10 at Rotorua’s Sir Howard Morrison Centre.
Elsa said she began singing four years ago after finding her way into vocal training through guitar lessons.
“When I played guitar, the man that I took lessons to play guitar with, his wife is a singing coach. Then I decided I wanted to do singing more.”
That singing coach was Charise Williams, who has continued to help Elsa hone her vocals.
“She has such a husky, distinctive voice for her age and a really unique sound,” said Williams.
“She’s also a wonderfully quirky girl, who has somehow become part of the furniture in our house!”
Tomorrow, Elsa will take to the stage in the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year’s junior competition.
About 30 singers will compete in categories from junior and intermediate through to senior, veteran and songwriting after qualifying by winning NZCMA regional competitions throughout the year.
Elsa Griffiths, 12, has been singing since she was eight and tomorrow will perform at the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year. Photo / Kelly O’Hara
Elsa was crowned junior overall winner of the South Waikato Country Music Awards in July, which cemented her spot in the coveted EOY competition.
“To be honest I was really surprised because I tried out for three songs and I only got in for one of them.
“On the last one I was just like, ‘I’m going to give it my all’ but I ended up getting it and that was very, very exciting.”
Williams said she was bawling her eyes out.
“I turned around and saw her dad crying too, which made it even worse.
“My heart was absolutely racing. I’ve always wanted to create opportunities for young people, so seeing Elsa succeed means a lot to me.”
Elsa’s country singing idols are the late ‘Queen of Country’ Dolly Parton and American country singer-songwriter and guitarist Ella Langley – her recent hits include Choosin’ Texas and Be Her.
“Ella Langley is my favourite,” Elsa said.
At EOY, Elsa will sing Somebody’s Daughter by Tenille Townes, and Weren’t for the Wind by Ella Langley.
“My big song will be in the morning and my less high energy song will be last.”
The largest crowd Elsa said she’d performed to was about 400 people at her school’s production of Aladdin, where she played Princess Jasmine.
The Sir Howard Morrison Centre seats 900-plus.
“It’s a bit nerve-wracking but I know once I get up on stage it’ll be completely fine.
“When I really get into it, it’s just so much fun singing and putting my heart out there,” said Elsa.
She said her game plan was to calm her nerves and try her best.
“My advice to Elsa going into EOY is not to put too much pressure on herself or go in worrying about winning,” said Williams.
“I want her to take a step back, enjoy the experience, let loose and have fun.”
Elsa said she’d love to write her own songs one day.
“I just hope that eventually I might get my name out there a bit more. I’m not expecting too much but I just hope that I do well.”
The New Zealand Entertainer of the Year competition is at Sir Howard Morrison Centre, Rotorua, on October 10, at 1pm and 6.30pm. Tickets are for sale at: https://sirhowardmorrisoncentre.co.nz/whats-on/nz-entertainer-of-the-year