Canberra singer Amber Nichols is continuing her effort to shine a light on the talent of young, up-and-coming performers by inviting a Gungahlin College Year 12 student to perform with her at a big gig next week.
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Amber and close friend Hayley Jensen, who found fame on Australian Idol, are performing at The Abbey in Gold Creek on Saturday, November 28.
Since competing on The Voice and attracting a whole new level of fans, Amber has been determined to use her gigs in the meantime as a platform to encourage other young performers.
"I am continually blown away by the talent we have here in Canberra and if I can help provide some guidance and an audience to a young artist, then that's a privilege," she said.
"Nothing makes me happier than seeing a young musician step out and begin to share their gift and artistry with the world."
Fans sent Amber YouTube videos of Mikaela "Mickey" Sulit singing and playing the guitar – and she was transfixed.
"Mickey was a stand-out, fell in love with her voice immediately," Amber said.
"Her tone is exquisite and having now met her I am pleased to say the same about her beautiful personality. I can't wait for her to blow the audience away."
In her last days of year 12, Mickey is looking to study media, specifically film production, at the University of Canberra next year.
She has been singing, almost accidentally, since she started to learn to play the guitar four years ago.
"I just discovered I knew how to sing," she said, adding her bent is towards the "acoustic and alternative", citing Gabrielle Aplin and Ed Sheeran as inspirations.
Mickey migrated from the Philippines with her parents and three older sisters almost three years ago, seeking a simpler and slower-paced life in Canberra. Growing up in Manila, she was used to seeing performers up-close as her dad Ronaldo hosted a popular radio music show called Love Notes under the stage name Joe d' Mango. He still records his show in Canberra for broadcast in the Philippines.
Mickey has performed in front of large audiences for school performances and also opened for a Filipino artist, Mark Bautista, when he sang in Canberra earlier this month.
She is looking forward to the gig at The Abbey.
"I'm very excited," she said. "It's such a privilege. Amber's personality is so amazing it makes it extra fun. She is so humble and kind-hearted."
Details for the show can be found at theabbey.com.au.
