Singing contest has French connection

Singer Veruschka Pestano is packing her bags for Taipei, Taiwan, where she will represent Australia at the inaugural Asia-Pacific Francophone song competition.

Organised by the Asia-Pacific Commission of the International Federation of French Teachers, the francophone song competition was created for university students to share their love for music, singing and French language.

The former Australind Senior High School student is studying a post graduate diploma in language with a specialisation in French.

Miss Pestano spent about two months learning to sing and play French-language song Encore Un Soir, which means “Another Night”.

“It’s exciting. I’ve never represented my country in anything before,” she said.

“It was a difficult song to find and play, but I just love having the opportunity to perform and see another country as well.”

Miss Pestano said she hoped to become proficient enough to be able to write songs in French.

“One of the reasons (I chose to study French) was because I love French music,” she said.

“I’ve always felt very captivated by the emotion of French singers.

“One of my songs on my upcoming EP is in written both French and English, but I’d love to be able to write full songs in French.”

Singers from about 19 countries will compete in the final on November 24.