{"id":637627,"date":"2026-10-22T04:04:21","date_gmt":"2026-10-22T04:04:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/637627\/"},"modified":"2026-10-22T04:04:21","modified_gmt":"2026-10-22T04:04:21","slug":"sunlive-tauranga-teen-takes-out-national-vocalist-award","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/637627\/","title":{"rendered":"SunLive – Tauranga teen takes out national vocalist award"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/a><\/p>\n

A love of music that started before he could talk has helped Tauranga singer Miguel Rizzi hit a high note on the national stage.<\/p>\n

The 13-year-old was crowned Best Vocalist at the National BandQuest finals last week.<\/p>\n

It comes after Youth Criminal, his band from Mount Maunganui Intermediate School, won the Bay of Plenty\u2019s Rockshop BandQuest competition last month to qualify for nationals.<\/p>\n

Rockshop BandQuest is a national band competition for primary and intermediate-aged musicians.<\/p>\n

Regional winners advance to national judging where awards recognise band and individual excellence.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I found out I won, I couldn\u2019t believe it was real, I was so happy and it gave me lots of motivation,\u201d Miguel said.<\/p>\n

He was surprised to be named Best Vocalist at the national finals.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was mostly thinking about my band rather than myself as an individual.\u201d<\/p>\n

He said his band Youth Criminal came together for BandQuest and, although rehearsal time was limited, the group quickly gelled.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn the short time we had, we built a really strong connection, that helped me feel comfortable enough to be myself on stage.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur shared drive to win and do our best, while still having fun and respecting each other for who we are, made all the difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miguel said the award meant a lot because he first entered BandQuest in his final year of primary school knowing little about singing.<\/p>\n

He has spent the past two years working on his vocal skills.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt means even more because, after seven years, I was able to bring this award back to the Bay of Plenty, it really does means a lot to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Miguel

\nMiguel Rizzi (centre left) and his band Youth Criminal from Mount Maunganui Intermediate School.<\/p>\n

He told the Bay of Plenty Times he had been singing \u201csince before I could talk\u201d, crediting his father\u2019s musical influence for sparking his passion for music.<\/p>\n

\u201cI started off as a Michael Jackson impersonator and that\u2019s when singing became natural to me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy biggest musical influences are Bruno Mars, who\u2019s my idol, Michael Jackson, and Anderson Paak, I want to become a world-famous pop, soul and R&B singer.\u201d<\/p>\n

Miguel said he hoped to continue studying, training and developing his craft as a vocalist to one day release his own music.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d really love to take part in festivals and talent shows or reality shows around the world, giving me the chance to share my talent with a wider audience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Sarah Rizzi, Miguel\u2019s mum, said she \u201ccouldn\u2019t be prouder\u201d of the person Miguel was becoming, as a young man and a musician.<\/p>\n

\u201cGrowing up with the influence of his dad, a singer and songwriter, Miguel has shown a natural connection to the arts from a very young age.\u201d<\/p>\n

She said his focus, determination and commitment to achieving his goals served as an inspiration not only to young people his age, but to adults as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe reminds us of the importance of believing in our dreams, working hard and never giving up,\u201d Rizzi said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe continues to grow and achieve so much while staying humble and proud of his roots.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaitlyn Morrell<\/a> is a journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post. She has lived in the region for several years and studied journalism at Massey University.<\/p>\n

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