Daniel Kovarski
After a decade of practice Daniel Kovarski can finally say playing the piano is easy.
He said it took a lot of hard work to get to this point.
‘‘It wasn’t until a few years ago that I started taking it seriously and my rate of progress just went up.’’
The 18-year-old said he ‘‘grew up’’ and realised it was good for him and not just something his parents were making him do.
This year he is preparing to sit a Trinity College London grade 8 classical and jazz piano exam, just to get it done before he goes to university next year.
He said although he loved listening to jazz, playing it was difficult because the timing was ‘‘horrendous’’ and hard for him to get his head around.
He loved playing classical.
‘‘There’s something about certain pieces that gives you this feeling of grandness - they’re just really powerful in a way.’’
He was really enjoying learning to play Clair de Lune by Debussy for his grade 8 exam.
Daniel said he wanted to keep his music as a hobby - at least until he was done with university.
‘‘It’s something I really enjoy.
‘‘At the end of a day, when you know a piece well, it’s really nice to play it.’’
Next year, he plans to study civil engineering at the University of Canterbury.
Achievements
Head boy (2024); year 7-12 top scholar (2018-23); grade 7 Trinity College London classical and jazz piano with distinction; grade 6 New Zealand Speech Board Public Speaking and Communication with honours Plus (2023); Dunedin Diocese Bishop Shield Secondary School Debating Competition best speaker (2023); St Peter’s College Eisteddfod solo instrumental winner (2018-23); St Peter’s College Eisteddfod senior scripture (2022 and 2023); excellence in year 12 sciences (2023); NCEA excellence endorsement level 1 and 2 (2022-23); mass pianist (2022-24); saxophone tutor (2022-24); 2nd place in division at New Zealand Ice Figure Skating national competition (2019).
Role model
Father Victor Kovarski
Hopes for the future
Travel the world, not as a tourist, but by living and working in the places I visit.
Samantha Marsh
‘‘It just gives me a joy that I don’t get from anything else,’’ she said.
The 18-year-old began dancing when she was 5 and, after giving a few styles a go, she chose hip hop because it stuck with her the most.
In the past two years, she has competed and placed on the podium in nine different regional and national competitions.
She was most proud of coming first in the senior hip hop solo category at the Impact Dance Experience national competition.
It had been a big training process and she did not think she would even place, let alone win the competition.
‘‘I was really emotional and I remember looking at my mum and she looked so proud.’’
It was a different feeling for her when she was acting on stage than it was dancing.
Instead of entering and trying to win competitions, people were paying to see what she had prepared.
Although it was a bit scary, she loved it just as much.
Samantha also started coaching dance crews last year.
‘‘I enjoy it because it allows me to see my students progress and I get to teach what I’ve learnt and pass that knowledge on.’’
The completed performance was great but the process of watching her students grow was the best part of it.
Next year she planned to study a bachelor of communication and arts at Victoria University (Wellington).
Achievements
Hip-hop level 10 with honours from Asia Pacific Dance Association (2023); 1st in senior hip-hop solo at the Impact Nationals (2023); 1st with Central Academy crew at Impact Invercargill regionals (2023); Dance New Zealand interschool regional Full Heart Award (2022) Central Academy Dancer of the year (2023); teaching classes at West Otago Karate Club (2022 and 2023); West Otago Karate Club mentoring award (2022); Grade 6 Speech and Drama New Zealand with honours plus (2023); 3rd place in Gore River Valley Lions Young Speechmaker Competition (2024); Senior Eisteddfod Champion (2024); 1st place senior hip hop at Evolution Dance Competition (2024); Dance it Out Studio teacher (2023-24); Central Academy dance coach (2022-24); Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver (2022-23); NCEA level 1 merit endorsement (2022); NCEA level 2 merit endorsement.
Role model
Older brother Ryan Horrell.
Hopes for the future
To be doing what she loves and performing in some way.
