World champs bid
Te Rina Kahle has been selected to perform in LA. But she needs your help to get there.
Te Rina Kahle is aiming to take gold at the World Championships of Performing Arts.
Chosen to represent New Zealand as a singer during auditions in Kerikeri earlier this year, Te Rina will experience a jam-packed tour of LA which includes the championships, workshops and sightseeing.
The aspiring professional recording artist gets just one minute to perform in front of the judges and can include any genre she wants. Her favourite is soul.
‘‘I was over the moon. I found out in the dean’s office - I wasn’t in trouble I was just hanging out in there - and went through the emails and found out.’’
Joining 17-year-old Te Rina on the 2017 trip is her older sister Darrylee. The pair will leave on June 28 and will be back in Auckland on July 13.
For Te Rina to compete she needs to raise $6500 with a further $3500 needed for her sister to accompany Te Rina as she is under the age of 18.
TK to LA is part of the fundraising effort that will be held at the Whangaroa Sports Fishing Club on November 20 from 4pm. Te Rina will perform alongside other local artists.
The event will also feature face painting, raffles and other familyfriendly activities.
The Whangaroa College student has been singing since the age of five and competing from age 12 with great success.
She has made it through to the bootcamp round of The X Factor television series, won this year’s Far North’s Got Talent and was also awarded best vocalist at the Smokefree Rockquest Regionals in Whangarei earlier this year.
Te Rina was also part of the second-place winning duo in the E Tu Whanau competition at the 2016 Maori Radio Awards. Competing with fellow Whangaroa College student Fairy-Allen Rikihana, their song highlighted the unacceptable levels of domestic violence.
Te Rina’s mother, Varlo, says the LA trip is a great opportunity.
‘‘I am really happy. She is talented and works hard. The talent comes from her father.’’
Participants from over 50 countries compete at the World Championships or the ‘Olympics’ of Performing Arts.
This will be New Zealand’s 11th time competing. They are taking a team of 48.
For more information about TK to LA contact Varlo on 022 647 2172.