A Hoppers Crossing singer has been selected to perform at the Spanish-language version of Eurovision in Chile next year.
Allison Elgueta will perform in front of more than 30,000 people in February when she performs her original tune Move On at the Vina del Mar International Song Festival.
She co-wrote the song with Shawnee Brennan.
The 22-year-olds study music at Melbourne’s JMC Academy.
Their song is one of 50 chosen to be performed at the music festival, which is in its 57th year.
“I haven’t performed in front of 30,000 people before so it’s quite a big jump from our school assessments in front of three people watching,” Elgueta said.
“I’m excited, and I really hope they like the song. It’s the only English song in the festival.
“I think this will give us both a bit of a step forward in our careers.”
Move On is a pop ballad inspired by a friend who was in an unhappy relationship.
“I had an idea for a song and I just couldn’t finish it,” Elgueta said.
“I left it, and then I asked Shawnee to come over … we had a songwriting session and smashed out the song.”
For Brennan, the festival is a chance to establish herself as a songwriter.
“I’m really, really into the songwriting part of it so I’d love to one day be able to write for successful artists,” she said.
“I find it difficult to write about personal things – I like to look from the outside and be more of a storyteller.”
