Former Waitaki Girls’ High and Five Forks School pupil Shannon Burnett is “so excited” to be named one of the winners of the Six60 Scholarship for next year.

Shannon is one of four Otago University students selected to receive a $10,000 rent rebate, and mentoring from Six60 - one of New Zealand’s most successful bands. They will also have access to the university’s recording studios.

Shannon’s new flatmates will be Jakira Brophy, Sophie McCarlie and Hazel Simes, and the girls will live in the famous 660 Castle St, Dunedin, the house where the band was formed.

The band bought the flat in 2021, and together with the university created the scholarship.

Shannon, who turned 19 at the weekend, will be in her second year of a Bachelor of Performing Arts next year with a focus on musical theatre.

“So mainly singing and, like, a lot of music stuff and also just theatre in general.”

She is a solo musician who sings, plays guitar, “a bit of piano” and drums.

To apply for the scholarship she had to send in some recordings of her songwriting work, along with information about herself and what the opportunity would mean to her.

“Then they shortlisted a bunch of people, and then we had an interview and that's where we performed for a panel of people at the university,” she said.

She found out during her last holidays a few weeks ago, that she had won the spot.

“I was so excited. It was really good news. I think I rang my mum and I was just, I was so excited.”

Shannon has been writing her own songs for a few years. She writes them on the guitar and piano, and describes her style as “Indie pop”.

She is looking forward to having access to the university’s recording studios so she can produce them “properly” and post them to Spotify.

At risk of "sounding cheesy” she admires Taylor Swift for her “lyrical abilities”.

“Like how she's able to write a story like that. Yeah, she's a big inspiration.”

She is also a fan of American rock band Greta Van Fleet.

Shannon has been singing “forever” and is grateful for the opportunities that are available to her.

“Because I feel like not that long ago there weren't as many performance opportunities in Dunedin or even in New Zealand.”

She would love to join a band, and get involved in the local music scene, and said there is huge support for bands in Dunedin.

Apart from the occasional open-mic night at her hall of residence, and competing in Rock Quests at high school, Shannon doesn’t get much opportunity to perform on stage, but would like to get more experience.

“I find I get really nervous right before a performance and then when I'm performing, I just feel so at ease, like I'm with my guitar and I just feel like everything's, everything feels really good,” she said.

“Music is such a big thing for me.”

Jakira, who is in her second year of a Bachelor of Music, is in the band Emily Alice, which also features one of the inaugural 2021 Six60 scholarship recipients, Emily Kerr-Bell.

Sophie, who is studying towards a Bachelor of Performing Arts, says she almost didn’t believe the news when she was told she had won a scholarship, and she was very excited about the year ahead.

Hazel said she hopes the scholarship will help her further develop songwriting, composition and performance skills, while being inspired by their musically talented new housemates.

Six60 band member Eli Paewai says working with previous recipients has been exceptional.

“We have seen the kids grow in so many ways, they have released music, excelled at university and some of them even performed with us on stage at Forsyth Barr Stadium.

“This year saw one of the most qualified group of applicants to date and it’s becoming more and more competitive. We are really looking forward to mentoring and growing with the upcoming students.”

University deputy vice-chancellor (external engagement) Professor Tony Ballantyne said the highly-sought after scholarship remains extremely competitive and it is exciting to see another great cohort of scholarship holders.

“I am excited for these four latest recipients to not only follow in the footsteps of previous Six60 scholarship winners, but to also each carve out their own unique pathway into a successful and varied career in music.”

Shannon Burnett. PHOTO: Supplied