Rockquest 2020/Izzy Grace - Black Rose

SMOKEFREE ROCKQUEST

2020 By Celeste Nyatsanza

The two Smokefree Rockquest (SFRQ) is a nationwide annual song writing and performance competition for secondary school students. Submissions are usually performed live as concerts and there are multiple rounds, however due to covid-19 in addition to there being only one round, entries had to be to in the form of a video (with two songs) uploaded to YouTube.

This year Black Roses and Latem entered and Ciaran Hanrahan from Black Roses took out the award for Best Musician in the South Auckland Region. To watch this year’s entries, search up ‘Latem Rockquest’ and ‘Black Roses’ on YouTube and for more information on Rockquest, ask Mr about Monday Rocks.

Over the past 5 years at Pukekohe High School, Izzy Grace has reached unbelievable success. The vocalist for both the Stage Band and the Black Roses has been recognized for her musical talent both locally and nationally. Izzy also plays bass, drums and ukulele, with her guitar often accompanying her solo singing performances.

In 2019, Izzy was the overall intermediate winner at the Aotearoa Country Music Festival. Izzy said that this was her proudest achievement as it gave her an opportunity to take place in an important national competition. This win allowed her to take place in the New Zealand Entertainer of the Year Awards for country music. She also has competed in the SmokeFree Rockquest with Black Roses and made it to the Regional Finals in 2019. Other accomplishments include winning the Edinburgh Bar solo competition, winning the Franklin Youth Advisory Board’s talent quest and taking away Most Outstanding Vocalist and Achievement Outside School awards last year at the PHS music awards.

Covid lockdowns have resulted in the cancellation of many music festivals and competitions this year, but Izzy focused on practicing and improving her skills. Izzy aims to study hairdressing next year in order to support her music career and give herself stability for her future. Despite looking forward to her no doubt successful future, she says that she’ll miss the opportunities, friends and teachers at PHS. Izzy Grace will be missed by the music department for many years to come.

Izzy Grace – “The Musical”