ELEVEN-year-old Sarah Hamze is one step closer to achieving her dreams of becoming a professional country music performer after winning three competitions at the Tamworth Country Music Festival in January.
Sarah took out the top prizes in the Mount Franklin Junior Talent Quest, the Coca Cola Battle of the Young Stars intermediate level and Capital Country Music Association’s Best Young Talent Under 12.
The young singer-songwriter, who attended her second Tamworth Country Music Festival in 2019, said she was glad to be given the opportunity to play in a variety of environments.
“I got to perform on many different stages, from pubs to the town hall,” Sarah said.
“My highlight was probably performing in a show with (renowned country music artist) Aleyce Simmonds on her family property.”
Sarah said the pair performed Shallow, the Grammy-winning duet by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.
“I also performed (bluegrass classic) Blue Moon of Kentucky and six of my original songs (at the festival),” she said.
Sarah, who has been writing songs for two years, said her music was inspired by movies and television.
“I don’t have many life experiences yet, so I watch movies and I relate to them,” she said.
She said she had been singing since she first learned to speak, but had first performed with her sister at the Redlands Modern Country Music Club about three years ago.
“I was very shy (back then), but now a few years later I’ve worked very hard to get to where I am,” she said.
Sarah also took out third place in the Wests Aristrocrat Country Entertainer of the Year competition, performing with fellow Redlands Modern Country Music Club member Briana Dinsdale as duo SaBree.
“I’ve only known Briana for three years but I feel like she’s my sister now,” Sarah said.
“What really brought us together was country music.”
“I just love the community of it.”
