By Victoria Stone-Meadows
The Cranbourne area has a cohort of potential stars in the making, with seven young men and women from the area competing in the latest season of The Voice Australia.
Chloe Kandetzki from Clyde is the youngest ever contestant on the show, at just 15 years old.
Ms Kandetzki said she had always had a love for singing and was excited to be the youngest contestant in the show’s history.
“I’ve been doing singing lessons since I was nine years old and music has always been a part of my life.
“Mum even has photos of me with a mic in my hands when I was really little,” she said.
“I have been singing for so long and I have watched every season of The Voice and always wanted to be on it.”
“I would always tell Mum and Dad I would be on it, so it’s really cool to be making history.”
The Year 10 student from Cranbourne East Secondary College said she was nervous before stepping on stage for her blind audition, but her training soon kicked in.
“I was nervous before I was doing the audition but as soon as I got out there it was all good,” she said.
“It is such an incredible experience, probably one of the best moments in my life seeing all of the artists and meeting the contestants.”
She was picked by celebrity judge Kelly Rowland during her blind audition on Monday 8 May.
Along with Ms Kandetzki is 20-year-old Jesse Dutlow from Hampton Park.
Mr Dutlow said song and dance had been a major feature of his upbringing and his mother in particular instilled a love of music in him.
He said being a part of The Voice would allow him to follow his passion and build his music career in front of the nation.
“I think I wanted to go on the show to get my career going,” he said.
“It is something I’m really passionate about doing with my life. It’s not just a hobby for me, I take it very seriously.”
Mr Dutlow has a background in music, having studied song-writing for two years in Sydney and he released an EP last year.
He said he drew inspiration from the artists he admired, as well as his music and songwriting acting as an outlet for him to express his faith.
“Writing songs draw inspiration from faith as a Christian and my journeys through life’s ups and downs,” he said.
“I put a lot of emotion into my music and it is my relationship with God that drives those melodies and stories.”
Mr Dutlow was picked by celebrity judge Boy George during his blind audition on Sunday 7 May.
Joining Ms Kandetzki and Mr Dutlow are 16-year-old Grace Laing from Pearcedale, 17-year-old Hoseah Partsch from Cranbourne and the band “He Planned Us” made up of family members Crystal (23), Celina (20) and cousin Shari (21) also from Cranbourne.
