Anita’s early training was with NZ’s “Sister Mary Leo” (who taught opera star “Kiri Te Kanawa”), followed by being recorded live on NZBC, presented to the Governor General and the Prime Minister of the time (Mr. Rob Muldoon) at the inaugural South Pacific Festival. First adult professional performance was as backing vocalist in Auckland’s best-known RnB band “The Tama Band”.
Arriving in Cairns in 1995, via the Whitsunday Islands and a gig as solo guitarist/singer in Port Douglas, Anita’s credits include:
- Forming “After Six Musical Productions”, who performed at Lizard Island and in Port Douglas for the inaugural food and wine event staged as a part of the “Carnivale”.
- Performing at Orpheus Island with Take Five
- Staging the regular “Ladies ‘n’ Jazz” event with Wilma Reading and Bev Murray at the Clink Theatre in Port Douglas with her band “Miles Away” accompanying the ‘Ladies’
- Performing for the Royal Flying Doctors at the Cairns Convention Centre
- Performing live at the Cairns Hilton with established international performers such as Michael Pensini, Michael Knopf, Tommy See Poy and the late George Almanza
- Playing, in the Palmer St. Festival in Townsville, with Nerville Hermes
- Appearing regularly with a plethora of the region’s finest musicians at the Cairns Jazz Club, where you can still come to enjoy Anita’s performances
Currently fronting Anita’s Little Darlings and Anita and The Darlings, both of which can currently be booked for your event.