For as long as she can remember, Heidi Keller’s life has been filled with music. Growing up in a family where music filled the home, it seems inevitable that she would find her own voice. “We always listened to a wide variety of music, but I especially remember Skinny Genes by Eliza Doolittle. It used to wake me up in the car as a baby, much to my parents annoyance if they were trying to get me to stay asleep!” Her musical journey began at Bangalow Public School, where she participated in school musicals and took piano lessons with her teacher, Dan, through the Music in Schools program.
“I was always pretty confident performing,” she recalls. ”I did my first live singing performance solo at a music in schools showcase with many other Bangalow students, before being asked to play at assembly and the teachers were always supportive of my ambitions from there onwards.” Her passion continued to grow through high school, and an unexpected win at Byron High’s Battle of the Bands became a turning point.
“I just thought the prize was to play within your school. I was waiting for them to announce the winner—it was down to me and a band called No Commitment. Then they said the winner gets to perform at Bluesfest, and then they said my name. It was a double shock. Now it kind of feels like a bit of a daydream.”
With influences like Pink and fellow local musician Yorke (Grace Hughes), Heidi’s music falls under the independent pop umbrella, home to many strong female singer-songwriters. She began writing her own songs at nine, drawing inspiration from personal experiences and even the books she reads.
This year, she’s stepping onto the Bluesfest stage not as a fan, but as an artist. Having attended the festival with her family in the past and admired acts like Melody Angel and All Our Exes Live in Texas, she now finds herself among the performers. She’s especially excited for the return of Melody Angel and to see local talent Tones and I.
“I would love to support Gracie Abrams or Yorke on tour. Supporting Madilyn Mei or Clairo would also be really fun! These are all artists I really look up to.”
Yorke, in particular, has played a significant role in Heidi’s musical journey. “When I was four, my mum played me her song after hearing it on the radio. She told me that one day, perhaps I would be like her. Fast forward to when I was 11, I got to meet her, and now she’s my friend and mentor. Her writing style has really influenced my own, and she has taught me a lot of what I know.” Embracing a stage name that embodied Heidi’s musical style was the next step in her transformation from talented youngster to rising star. “My mum considered the name Aurora for me when I was a baby, before going with Heidi,” she says. The word means ‘dawn’ in Latin and is used to describe a captivating display of natural lights in our atmosphere. “Aurora feels like a powerful name, yet also beautiful—that’s the feeling I want people to get from my music.” The surname Quinn was inspired by a character in Heartbreak High, whose energy and style have influenced Heidi’s stage presence. And with that, Aurora Quinn was born.
At Bluesfest, Aurora Quinn will be part of the High School Showcase, performing a 10-minute set alongside other talented students. It’s a milestone Heidi doesn’t take for granted.
“I would really like to thank my teachers, especially Mr Black, Mr Baker, and Ms Museth from the CAPAL department at school, for providing this amazing opportunity that has made my dream of playing Bluesfest a reality.” With her first major festival performance just around the corner, Heidi is stepping into the future with confidence, ready to shine.
Catch Aurora Quinn in the ‘Local area High School Showcase’ at Bluesfest, Saturday 19 April, 11.30am to 12.30pm
Photos Lyn McCarthy Niche Pictures