Four Mid Canterbury teenagers are brimming with excitement as they look forward to excelling in their performance dreams this year.Liam Pram - Photo Ashburton Guardian

Dancer Krishay Nadan, 15, and singers Ocean Waitokia, 14, Liam Pram, 15, and Tilly Smith, 17, will head to Hollywood in June as part of the 28-member New Zealand Black Stars to compete in the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA).

Liam said he was in the middle of food class at Ashburton College late last year, when he received the email telling him he had made the team.

“I just freaked out, I didn’t expect to get through,” he said.

The news had launched him out of his comfort zone into planning busking trips to Christchurch as of next week.

He already had two jobs, but needed to earn extra cash to reach the approximate $7000 total to cover airfares, accommodation and registration.

He taught himself guitar and also takes lessons, and sings and writes his own music.

Among WCOPA items will be the original What About, which he wrote for his grandmother following his grandfather having a close call with a heart attack.

Fellow 15-year-old Krishay is also self-taught.

He has been dancing since the age of nine, mainly hip hop and lyrical.

Ocean Waitokia and Krishay Nadan. Photos Susan SandysHis performance platforms include YouTube, local Indian cultural group events, and Ashburton College competitions.

Last year he and his friends won the lip sync and he placed second in Ash Dance.

Ocean said she was nervous when she auditioned in front of the two judges, as she was used to performing in front of larger groups.

The accomplished yodeller and award-winning country singer performed on a German talent show in 2015, and can’t wait to add America to her impressive resume.

Fellow country singer Tilly stunned Mount Hutt College senior prizegiving attendees last year with her brilliant voice, following being highly commended at last year’s Gold Guitar Awards in Gore.

“I don’t think I want a career in singing but it’s something I can always fall back on,” she said.

Krishay, Tilly, Liam and Ocean were among 49 performers to be offered spots in the 2017 Black Stars after 97 hopefuls from throughout the country auditioned.

Twenty-eight have confirmed their participation.

The team will compete in individual and group items against countries from around the world in front of large audiences, including talent agents offering hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of scholarships for study in America.

By Susan Sandys © The Ashburton Guardian - 12 January 2017