Seventeen-year-old Kayla Shea took out the top spot at Friday night’s Shoalhaven Open Mic: Solos & Duos event at Shoalhaven Entertainment Centre.
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The singer/guitarist performed the Katy Perry hit, Rise and an original piece.
Last year she released her first single/music video 100 Ways and is currently recording her new single which she performed at the event.
Kayla drew the audience in with her stage presence and crisp vocals.
Eleven other acts also took to the stage in what was a night of varied styles and instruments.
Many of the performers chose to deliver original songs and complex covers, showing the depth of talent among local musicians.
Second place on the night was awarded to Alvina Foo who looked the part as she wowed the audience with two jazz pieces, Black Coffee and a popular Spanish love song.
While not a Spanish speaker, she took several months to learn the tune in its original language, checking with a Spanish friend she had pronunciations correct.
Third place went to Tim Karkowski, a 24-year-old artist who performs folk cover songs.
The brick layer recently appeared on The Voice, where he chose Delta Goodrem as a coach, as he felt a connection with the star.
He competed in the battle round, but unfortunately didn’t make it to finals.
Some young fans in the audience were given the opportunity to interview Tim after his performance on Friday night, of Xavier Rudd’s Follow the Sun and Hey Ya by Outkast.
Three artists were also highly commended by the judges, Luci Blue, Paige McCallum and Abby Taylor.
Other artists who contributed to a fine evening of entertainment included L2 consisting of Lorraine Hayward and Luke Freeman, Jocean – a father and son duo, Naomi White, Ashley Hale, Maggie Davies and Ruby Reid.
Performers ranged in age from 12 to 70.
Read more: Talented locals do their thing on stage