Grace Ikenasio

Auckland, New Zealand

Musician

Talofa Lava! My name is Grace Ikenasio and I am a New Zealand born Samoan residing in Avondale, West Auckland, New Zealand. Music for me has been a very big part of my life since I was young. It has always been my desire to become a successful singer/songwriter/artist/musician. With each passing day, I am learning more about myself and one day in the near future I hope to attain a name for myself in the music industry. At the moment I am currently doing a lot of gigs but these are mainly cover gigs. What I would really love to do though is put out my own album and get the help I need to be recognized internationally. Since the age of 14, I have been writing my own material ranging from pop to hip hop, to rnb, to gospel and so much more. In 2011, I was awarded the Most Promising Artist at the Polynesian Blue Pacific Music Awards and this has really encouraged me to write more originals.

1,768 profile views

33 comments

1 favourite

Video

Music Immersive - Grace Ikenasio
Grace Ikenasio 24y/o from Auckland City, New Zealand singing & playing an original called 'You Say'.

Physical Details

Ethnicity:Pacific Islander Hair colour:Black
Skin colour:Brown Hair length:Medium
Eye colour:Brown Hair type:Wavy

Experience

2012

  • Avondale Intermediate School : Music Specialist (Year 7 & 8), Auckland, NZ

2011

  • University of Auckland : Bachelor of Music, Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary School Teaching Music, Auckland, NZ

2005

  • SONY DADC : Picker / Packer (Music and DVD Distribution for Universal Music & Pictures plus Sony Music), Auckland, NZ

Music

Keyboard ability:IntermediateVocal range:Mezzo-Soprano
Vocal ability:Lead singerLike to join a band:No

Singing styles

Pop

Favourite genres

PopHip-hopJazzClassical
Many of my musical influences include people like Alicia Keys, Beyonce, Stevie Wonder, John Legend, Mariah Carey, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, Norah Jones and so much more. Along with these artists, I am also highly inspired by a lot of gospel artists. Growing up in the church, I was exposed to people like MaryMary, Kirk Franklin, 4th Avenue and a lot of others who I would say were the reason why I got into music in the first place.

Currently I am in a covers band called 'Allegro'. We are a 5 piece band that consists of 4 vocalists who are also instrumentalists. We have a drummer, bassist, guitarist and keyboardist. We play a range of styles of music to suit different occasions.

In 2005, I completed all 8 grades of classical solo piano through Trinity School of Music and was awarded first place for music from year 9 to year 13 at Avondale College, Auckland, New Zealand. I have also completed studies towards a Bachelor of Music and a Postgraduate Diploma in Secondary Teaching Music at the University of Auckland.

As well as performing, I now teach music at my old intermediate school. I have been working here since the start of this year and am loving it. Sharing my own musical experiences with these wonderful young minds has been exciting and I am continuously blown away by the amount of talent that I come across everyday.

Below is a blurb which was written up by one of my friends who has been looking after me with my gigs...
"Grace comes with high recommendation. She has been singing and performing since she was young at various corporate (including Air NZ staff functions with Allegro, Citizenship ceremonies for Auckland Council/Mayor Len Brown etc) and private gigs (weddings, birthdays, openings etc). In 2011 she was the opening act for Stan Walker at his Christchurch concert and also did some backing vocal work with him during the Rugby World Cup season. She has also worked with Erakah, toured in NZ alongside Fiji/Lost Coast Boys and has also performed at Pasifika Festival in Samoa Village, Miss Samoa NZ pageant, Selective Sounds (WOMAD) with Malcolm Lakatani, Parachute Festival and many other events. She even featured on Hyundai Code and Homai Te Pakipaki (both screened on Maori TV) as a special guest."

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  • Djena yes that's great ,I think they loved your video and Rajohn Shrestha's because , they put only the both
    9 months ago
  • Grace Just want to say a huge thank you to those who voted for me in the Music Immersive Competition. I truly appreciate the support. I wouldn't have made it, if it weren't for you. Love to all, Gracey xo :)
    10 months ago
  • Ebunoluwa u gt amazing voice
    10 months ago
  • Kristi Your an amazzing singer :D
    10 months ago
    • Grace Thank you so much Kristi :D
      10 months ago
  • Rachael "Hi, I just thought to congratulate you and all the finalists on being in the final 35. You have an amaizing vocalist and are so deserving. Star Now and the Judges have given us a fantastic opportunity, so thanks to them. Good luck. Rachael
    10 months ago
    • Grace Hiya Rachael! Thank you very much for your congrats. I really am thankful to have made the 35. I also do appreciate the compliments you have given me. Many thanks does go to the StarNow organisers for this wonderful opportunity. Thank you for the good luck also - Grace.
      10 months ago