The 11-year-old's ability to use clear diction, vocal projection and expression has been honed over three years at the Figtree Speech and Drama Studio under the tutelage of director Roberta Seaberg.

On Tuesday, Nicholas' training paid off when he placed third out of a field of 20 competitors in the 11 and 12 years' verse speaking solo section at the Wollongong Eisteddfod.

The Illawarra Grammar School (TIGS) student enjoyed his three-minute performance in front of adjudicator Pamela Lynch at the Wesley Church Hall.

"I don't really feel nervous when I'm on stage. I feel pride and excitement that it's my chance to do this and my time to let out expression," he said.

Nicholas's mother Julia Chiaverini said the speech and drama classes had helped her son develop strong communication skill, beneficial at school.

"His training has helped him with confidence, conversing with adults, public speaking and writing," she said.

Nicholas's older sister Danielle, who also took speech and drama classes from kindergarten to year 12, was the Zonta Young Woman in Public Affairs winner in 2009, the same year she was captain of TIGS.

She is now in the sixth year of a double degree at Sydney University.

Mrs Chiaverini said speech classes helped both her children build self-esteem and develop leadership skills.

Last year at the Wollongong Eisteddfod, Nicholas was first in Bible reading solo and in prepared reading solo, and second in verse speaking solo restricted and third in prose solo.

Nicholas will compete in more sections on Wednesday.

Tuesday, June 2, 2015.

Morning session.

Verse speaking solo 11 & 12 years only: Mikayla Kotsofski of Balgownie 1; Soraya McCann of Figtree 2; Nicholas Chiaverini of Wollongong 3; and Christopher Konstandaras of Kanahooka, Abby Adlington of Figtree and Taylah Stevens of Russell Vale highly commended.

Restricted verse speaking solo 7 years and under: Felicity McIntyre of Corrimal 1; Nicole Choi of Keiraville 2; Emily Chisholm of Fairy Meadow 3.

Prepared reading solo 8 years and under: Jahzara McCann of Figtree 1; Saskia McIntyre of Corrimal 2; Charlotte Riolo of Figtree 3; Neel Shetty of Cordeaux Heights and Nicole Choi of Keiraville highly commended.

Verse speaking solo 6 years and under: Neel Shetty of Cordeaux Heights 1; and Reyansh Sharma of Shell Cove, Aaliah Hancock of Wollongong, and Ceana White of Towradgi highly commended.

Bible reading solo 10 years and under: Alana Jacqueline Newhouse of Dapto 1; Samara White of Towradgi 2; Michael Marzano of Tarrawanna 3; and Charlotte Riolo of Figtree highly commended.

Verse speaking solo 9 years only: Wil Duffus of Tarrawanna 1; Lily Riolo of Figtree 2; Samara White of Towradgi 3; and Max Atsas of Figtree highly commended.

Prose solo 10 years only: Jude McCann of Figtree 1; Michael Marzano of Tarrawanna 2; Paige Jenkins of Figtree 3.