Julie Ta'ale, now known as Miss J, won our first 'Moneyoke' talent quest in 2004. Julie won several thousand dollars which she used to record a demo disk. In 2005 we took Julie to Las Vegas and she took third place in the female rock/pop section. She has appeared on Pasifika several times and has her own professional recordings on the New Zealand market. This is Mz J and Oh Baby
Haylee Fisher entered our talent quest in 2005, a young 20 year old we could see had lots of talent but needed an opportunity to demonstrate this. Haylee travelled with the US Talent Quest team in 2005 and 2006 to Las Vegas. Global Quest 4 Talent Agency NZ sponsored her trip in 2006. On returning from Las Vegas we continued to promote Haylee. She was awarded a NZ On Air grant to record original songs which has resulted in her first professional single called 'High'.
In 2005 Sarah McBride won the NZ Talent Quest and represented NZ on an all expenses paid trip to Las Vegas. In 2006 she took second place in the female Rock/Pop category. Sarah is a very talented singer/songwriter. She has written and recorded many of her own songs some of which are on her gospel CD. Sarah has appeared on New Zealand's 'Stars in Their Eyes' as Kylie Minogue and has been a guest artist on the SouNZ Like Tribute Show.
In 2007 we were in Queensland and spotted Margie Maher singing in a local restaurant. We offered to take her to Las Vegas in 2007 to participate in the US Talent Quest, which she did. She also travelled with us in 2008 to represent Australia. Before she arrived in Las Vegas in 2008 Margie was working on the super yachts in France and was spotted by Quincy Jones and Lionel Richie. Quincy Jones offered her the opportunity to record in Las Vegas.
Other professional artists to travel with us to Las Vegas have included Mike Twigden (now performing in Queensland and a trophy winner at the 2006 US Talent Quest); Karen Davy (Dolly Parton and Stevie Nicks impersonator) who has also appeared on 'Stars in Their Eyes'; Kutia Tuteru (living and performing in the Cook Islands); Natalie Green (2006 US Talent Quest trophy winner) and Valdessa Schmidt both of whom perform professionally in the South Island.
Gloria-Jean pictured here with 96 year old Evelyn Hutchins, Mary Blackwell and Elizabeth Marvelly. Taken during a break whilst recording at Maori Television for an Anzac Day programme Nga Manu Korero (The Songbirds). Click on the link to open the picture.
Also Paul pictured with Mary Blackwell, Elizabeth Marvelly and Chris Powley.
Anzac Day Programme for Maori TV