AFTER months of extensive statewide auditions, the spotlight is set to shine on 52 of the state’s most gifted student performers, who will lead a cast of more than 5500 New South Wales public school students – including Moree’s very own Kyla-Belle Roberts – at the NSW Schools Spectacular arena show on November 28-28.
Kyla-Belle Roberts, an emerging singer-songwriter, has been selected as a 2025 featured vocalist.
In late November, the Year 11 Moree Secondary College student will join 36 other featured vocalists, seven featured instrumentalists and eight backing vocalists on the stage at Sydney’s Qudos Bank Arena.
This will be Kyla’s first time performing in Guinness World Record holder show.
Kyla’s original composition Scars will also feature across the production’s four performances.
Creative Director Sonja Sjolander said this year’s featured artists have been chosen from an exceptionally strong field of applicants who will be sure to take audiences on a moving journey through music and performance.
“We’ve seen some of the most remarkable talent ever this year; students who are not just technically skilled, but who bring powerful messages of hope, courage and creativity to the stage,” Ms Sjolander said.
“The performance promises an extraordinary variety of music and art forms, from classical to jazz, hip hop to rock, reflecting the diverse voices and stories of young Australians today.
“This is a show about making your mark, about daring to live out loud and standing up for one another and our students are excited and ready to inspire others.”
This year’s theme – Remarkable – will explore what it means to stand out, speak up, and shine, and is a fitting motif for the trailblazing students leading the show.
“Whether it’s a heartfelt solo, a dazzling instrumental, or a choreographed group number, these students will blow you away,” Ms Sjolander said.
“They are some of Australia’s next big entertainers.”
Ms Sjolander added that the student creative team has played an integral role in shaping this year’s content, contributing ideas, narratives and creative direction that ensure the show reflects the world through their eyes.
“There’s so much variety and so much talent, all in one big spotlight,” Ms Sjolander said.
“The show will have powerful moments that reveal just how remarkable these students truly are, and I’m so excited for the world to see them out-sing and out-perform their idols on the big arena stage.”
Executive producer Richard Spiewak echoed the sentiment, describing the event as “truly remarkable”, both in scale and spirit.
“Remarkable things get your attention and this show certainly will,” Mr Spiewak said.
“This is the 42nd year of the Schools Spectacular and is a pioneer of youth arts events in Australia.
“With a cast of 5500 performers from around 400 NSW public schools, and an additional 500 students involved in our outdoor SpecFest, it’s simply exceptional.”
Kyla-Belle said in an earlier interview with Moree Online News, being selected as a featured artist for School Spectacular is a “crazy thought”.
“I feel amazing. It’s going to be a great opportunity, and it also gives me a chance to experience music in new ways,” she said.
“I’m looking forward to being on the big stage the most, and performing at stadium level to thousands of people will be nerve-wracking, but exciting.”
Tickets for this year’s show are now on sale through Ticketek at NSW Schools Spectacular.
The 2025 Schools Spectacular is proudly supported by Sponsors: Telstra, NSW Teachers Federation, School Bytes, Smart, Teachers Health, Supporters: Woolworths and Steinway Australia and Event Partners: Qudos Bank Arena, Seven Network, Gravity Media and Ticketek.
