Annah Mac (18) will talk about her life, career and songwriting techniques with about 70 Wakatipu High School pupils, before they all perform at the Queenstown Memorial Hall, next Friday.
The showcase will give the young people valuable experience performing in front of an audience, before the Central Otago Smokefreerockquest final, on Saturday, July 24.
"I'm really looking forward to talking about the structure of songwriting and giving them good advice to help them in the industry - giving new ideas and hopefully inspiring," she said from Auckland's Sony Music headquarters.
"I write lyrics first and melody after. I've learned a lot about being more patient, working harder and taking opportunities.
"I was excited to be asked [to mentor] and I love to give something back. I've had so many people help me in the South."
Annah Macdonald won the first of her two Gold Guitar Awards in Gore, aged 9.
She won TV2's Wannabes competition at 14, the national schools' Play It Strange songwriting competition at 15 and the Smokefreerockquest female musician award at 16.
She recently completed a songwriting scholarship programme in Memphis, where she played and wrote with top session musicians.
The former St Hilda's Collegiate pupil finished recording her debut album at Roundhead studios with American producer Brady Blade (Brooke Fraser, Opshop). The so-far untitled album is due out later this year, with a national tour likely to follow.
Her upbeat pop single Baby Don't Change is due for release within the next month and follows her single Focus, which was released in October. Her song Home was selected for the Great New Zealand Songbook last year.
• Annah Mac's workshop begins in the memorial hall at 5pm. Doors to the Big Break concert open at 6pm. An expected 18 rock, soul and jazz high school bands, duos and a solo artist perform from 7pm. Tickets cost $5 for pupils and $10 for adults and are available from the high school office, student council, or on the door.
