Competitors warming up for Wollongong Eisteddfod, Australia's second oldest

From Saturday Wollongong’s CBD will be abuzz with hairspary, sequins and stacatto notes for the 123^rd Wollongong Eisteddfod – the second oldest in the country.

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Opera singer Imogen-Faith Malfitano, 24, from West Wollongong will be one of the first competitors this weekend, listed in five different categories.

“Performing as a young girl in particular, really exploring my capabilities … was always wonderful,” Miss Malfitano said.

She said musical theatre classics like “Over the Rainbow” or hits from The Little Mermaid were favourites to sing, while these days challenging aria’s and songs in Italian and French were now her signature.

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Her biggest tip for any first-timers entering the Wollongong Eisteddfod is to erform from the heart.

“There’s a real power and beauty to be found when you’re feeling the music … you can’t go wrong if you’re doing that,” Miss Malfitano said.

From now until July 9 performers will compete in classical vocal, musical theatre, piano, wind instruments, strings instrumental ensembles, verse speaking and drama, dance troups and dance solos.

Venues include Wesley Church and Auditorium, Wollongong Town Hall, Wollongong Conservatorium of Music and Illawarra Performing Arts Centre.

www.wollongongeisteddfod.com.au