Two Whangarei teenagers will sing with the stars at this year's Christmas in the Park in Auckland on December 9.
Shaan Antunovich, 16, and Kawiti Waetford, 15, won a slot in the show after auditioning for the annual televised production.
Both are excited and nervous at performing in front of such a huge crowd. Shaan is a veteran of four Whangarei Christmas-in-the-Park events, and Kawiti joined Shaan in Laurie Hall Park at last year's show. Both agree it is "so much bigger" than anything they have done before.
They met through Opera North last year, and Kawiti impressed Shaan when he began singing lessons with Shaan's teacher Joan Kennaway. ``When I heard him sing, I shotgunned him to sing with me,'' she said.
Having someone to sing with would make it easier, Shaan said.
"I'm so pleased I'm doing it with Kawiti. And it's more fun if there's someone with you."
The singers agree they make a good team as they balance each other. "I don't really get nervous. She gets nervous," Kawiti said. "We complement each other quite well."
Auditions for Christmas in the Park are open to anyone. Shaan had auditioned before but hadn't got as far in previous years. Last year's headline act was New Zealand hip-hop act Fast Crew.
Both agree that meeting the stars will be a highlight of the experience. NZ Idol judge and veteran performer Frankie Stevens is a regular at the Auckland event.
"He's a cool dude," said Kawiti.
Shaan and Kawiti are unsure as yet what they will sing in the show, but suspect they might lead the children's choir in O Come All Ye Faithful, which they were asked to sing in their audition.
Christmas in the Park promotes itself as a platform for up-and-coming talent, and the young singers are aware of the importance of the exposure.
"It will get our names out there," said the two, who have aspirations to turn singing into careers which will send them far and wide.
"To travel while singing would be awesome," said Shaan.
Something special for Christmas
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