Bomaderry’s talented pianist Andrea Charalambous (13) showed practice pays off at last year’s event and is ready to grace the stage again.

In 2014 Andrea took home three first place prizes and a second in various sections, including duet and open pianoforte.

She said she enjoyed performing in front of people.

“I’ve been playing piano for about seven years,” she said.

“My favourite style would most likely be boogie because I like the syncopated rhythms.

“I’m really looking forward to entering the eisteddfod again this year and hopefully will be taking home some more firsts.

“This will be my fourth year at the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod.”

Andrea said she dedicated at least 50 minutes a day to her piano and even more in the lead-up to a performance like the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod or an exam.

“I’m also working towards doing my grade 5 piano exam in April, so I’m putting in a lot of extra time at the moment,” she said.

“I love music. I think I’d like to do something that involves music in the future.

“The feeling I get from being able to play a piece of music I like is nice.”

Andrea said she also liked to pick up songs she heard on the radio from time to time.

The event’s humble beginnings have evolved into a month-long performing arts festival.

Shoalhaven Eisteddfod president George Windsor said the festival grew from a one-day event and now staged more than 150 competitive sections.

“In 1986, there were just 40 competitive sections.”

This year’s feature events include the Piano Champion-ship and the Aria Contest with over $4800 in cash prizes up for grabs.

Other major awards will include the Les Crosby Memorial Award, which will be awarded to a jazz musician under 25, the $500 Nowra Rotary Club Scholarship as well as a number of special cash prizes that will be awarded to outstanding vocalists and musicians.

Schools are encouraged to showcase their students’ achievements in drama, dance, speech and music.

All participating schools will receive a $25 voucher and will also be in the running for a $1000 encouragement award cash prize.

This year’s eisteddfod will kick off at the Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre on Wednesday, May 20.

Entries close on Sunday, March 1.

For more information on the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod and to enter visit the website www.shoal-haveneisteddfod.org.au. 

Print copies of this year’s syllabus are available at the Nowra Library, South Coast Music and the Shoalhaven City Arts Centre.

For further information, contact the Shoalhaven Eisteddfod secretary, Anna Pedersen, on 4421 0749 or president, George Windsor, on 0412 930 405 or 4421 4067.