Bright future predicted for siblings

Jerome, 13 and Lynnal, 7, Lopa have been involved with the 12 Nights of Christmas talent competition in Masterton. WAG 24Dec15 - TALENT: Jerome, 13 and Lynnal, 7, Lopa have been involved with th

Talented Masterton siblings Jerome and Lynnal Lopa have a bright future in music judging by their success in the 12 Nights of Christmas Junior Neighbourhood Support Talent Quest this year and last year.

Lynnal, 7, who wants to be a singer when she grows up, won the JNS Talent Quest last week, following in the footsteps of brother Jerome, 13 who took out the title last year.

Their mother Mereana Lopa said the two natural performers started at an early age and that her and her husband Namu couldn't be prouder.

"Lynnal started singing at probably around 15 months," Mrs Lopu said.

"She would always wear my heels and use things like the brush or little bottles as a mic. Then she'd sit up, cross her legs, and with Whitney Houston in the background she'd sing along.

"We just thought, oh my gosh, she's got something special."

Mrs Lopa said Jerome took an interest in learning music at age five, when he would play around on his father's "kind of broken" ukeleles. He is also a talented singer with influences from Ed Sheeran, Stan Walker, and Stevie Wonder.

"We would be driving in the car and he would be identifying notes and chords on the radio," Mrs Lopa said.

"He'd be like, that's a C, that's a D, then he'd get home and he'd play the song. "

The two siblings will be performing contemporary and Tokelauan music at Wellington's Pasifika Festival on January 25 after being scouted out at a performance in Porirua earlier this year.

"This is probably one of their biggest milestones," Mrs Lopa said.

"There will be representatives from all of the islands and this will be them representing their dad which is huge for us."

Mr and Mrs Lopa said they were grateful to Connecting Communities Wairarapa for providing a platform for their children and other children to share their talents.