It's been a practically perfect month for Figtree's Katelyn Pearce as she prepares to take on the role of Jane Banks in MoonGlow Productions' upcoming Mary Poppins.
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The 12-year-old is counting the days until she appears at WIN Entertainment Centre in the much-loved broadway musical, which runs from July 9 to 11.
Yet before Katelyn plays the high-spirited daughter of Mr and Mrs Banks - a role she shares with Charlotte Robinson - she has been busy entertaining audiences at the Wollongong Eisteddfod.
The young vocalist, who is trained by Jennifer Turnbull at the Charmaine Gibbs Studios in Wollongong, was awarded first place in a folk song solo section on Wednesday.
Katelyn came third in the 12 years pop vocal ballad solo section on Thursday; and received a highly commended for the songs from films 12 years and under section. Katelyn, a year 6 student at St Brigid's Catholic Primary School, Gwynneville, started singing lessons at the age of nine but has been dancing since she was two.
"She loves to perform and the singing was a natural progression from the dancing," mother Kylie Pearce said.
"We are quite musical at home so Katie has been in an arts environment from a young age.
"She plays the piano, too, so it has all gone from one step to the next."
Katelyn's younger sister Mackenzie also dances and plays the piano. The sisters dance at Theatrix Performing Arts at Unanderra and learn piano from teacher Kate Morgan at the Keiraville Music Academy.
June has been an extremely busy month for Katelyn who also competed in the eisteddfod last week, earning a third place in the 12 years and under piano solo.
Yet she wouldn't have it any other way. "I love performing in the eisteddfod," she said.
Wednesday June 17.
Junior vocal choirs: St Pius X Catholic School Unanderra 1; St Michael’s School Choir Thirroul 2; and St John’s Junior Vocal Group Dapto and Nazareth Catholic Primary School Choir highly commended.
Jazz/blues solo 13 and 14 years only: Meg Grange of Cordeaux Heights 1.
Musical theatre in costume duet 16 years and under: Chris Rutter and Kobe Collier of Mount St Thomas 1; and Katelyn Pearce & Molly Parrish-Gibbons of Jamberoo highly commended and Priya Poloni and Tara Roberts of Cordeaux Heights highly commended.
Folk song solo 12 years and under: Katelyn Pearce of Figtree 1; Yi Fei Shi of Wollongong 2; Phoenix Burrell of Corrimal East 3; and Caitlin Frazer of Mortdale and Guy Roberts of Mangerton highly commended.
Country Music Solo 14 years and under: Taylor Barrett of Figtree 1; Lara Kirk-Downey of Wollongong 2; Emma Jones of Coniston 3; and Christine Solomon of Lake Heights highly commended.
