After trying, and subsequently giving up on a number of sporting pursuits, Ellie decided that the guitar was something that she wanted to try, although her first guitar wasn't the best way to start.

"It was a second hand guitar that my uncle gave me," Ellie said, "It wasn't very good. It couldn't be tuned back."

Cathy Flanagan, Ellie's mum, decided that Ellie wouldn't be getting a new guitar unless Ellie found a guitar teacher.

"I found a teacher soon after and I've been playing ever since," Ellie said.

Ellie's teacher suggested to her that singing would help her keep in time. From that suggestion Ellie discovered that she could sing and her playing was transformed.

Ellie now plays at pubs, festivals and markets around the central west and recently entered the Lander's Music and Yamaha Music Australia Next Big Thing competition and won second place.

Ellie scored an impressive 11.68% of the vote and was only 130 votes behind the winner James Croke from Orange.

As part of the competition Ellie has won a new Yamaha acoustic guitar and a Yamaha PSRE443 portable keyboard.

Ellie is more excited though at the opportunity of playing up on stage at the Orange Ex-Services Club this Friday night the 31st of October.

"I'm really excited about supporting Stonefield at the gig on Friday night," she said, "I have a set all sorted and I'm pumped and ready to go."

Tickets are only $12.50, doors open at 7pm and tickets are available from Lander's Music in Orange, from moshtix.com.au or at the door.