Sharing talent with Te Aroha

Tegan Reid is an up-and-coming country music singer who is making her mark on the music world and will be the guest artist at Te Aroha Country Music club day on July 24.

The Tauranga 20-year-old has been singing since the age of 8.

She always knew she wanted to be a singer, but took a while to discover which genre she wanted to pursue.

‘‘I first started with a little classical training, but didn’t like it very much,’’ Reid said.

An introduction to her current singing teacher Bettie Pratt and country music was what Reid needed to break into the country music scene.

‘‘I haven’t looked back,’’ Reid said.

‘‘My love for singing has just grown.’’

Reid has entered many competitions over the years and since hitting the senior section, the rewards have been huge.

She won the highest scoring over 17-year-old at the Auckland awards last year, which gave her entry to compete in the Trans-Tasman Entertainer of the Year in Norfolk.

‘‘I recently returned from Norfolk When: Sunday July 24 Where: Te Aroha Country Music Club Genre: Country

and gained amazing experience from competing in such an outstanding award,’’ she said.

Following her return to New Zealand, Reid went to Gore where she entered the Gore Gold Guitar Awards for the first time and achieved a highly commended for her gospel song.

She also competed in the Nelson Awards this year.

‘‘I was also highly commended in the New Zealand Song Section where I sang Kylie Austin’s original ‘‘There You Are’’. But the highlight for me was becoming the Nelson 2016 Sun City Country Music Senior Overall Winner.’’

Recently she also won Senior Overall runner up at the Waikato Country Music Awards held in Morrinsville on July 9.

Reid has a lot going on with her music this year and hopes to involve music in her career in some way, having just recently completed a two year music course at Bay of Plenty Polytechnic.