The 12-year-old chose to perform Naughty from Matilda for the Musical Theatre in Costume Solo section on Thursday.

Elissa said the song had more scope for a performance than her previous choice, The Girl I Need to Be from The Secret Garden.

Full coverage of 2014 Wollongong Eisteddfod

"I like the character [who sings Naughty], she has attitude. I like her way of thinking, she makes things happen for herself," she said.

Aware of the short rehearsal period, Elissa's father Paul Sherley felt the nerves before she stepped on stage. But Elissa had her own way of making the butterflies fly in formation.

"I just think about singing to myself at home," she said.

Elissa first took to performing in front of her family, well qualified to provide feedback.

Elissa's eldest brother, James Sherley, launched a new music venue, Washed Out, in Wollongong's central business district last Friday.

But it isn't just her family's critique that Elissa values - performing is a lesson in itself.

"I learnt you should get up there and try," she said.

Mr Sherley agreed.

"The eisteddfod is a great opportunity for people to perform in front of an audience and get feedback," he said.

This is the second year running Elissa has won the section and her dream is to be in Matilda when she is older.