***MEDIA RELEASE***
November  2008

STEFFI TAKES ON MILEY AT DREAMWORLD’S NEW YEAR SHOWDOWN


Miley Cyrus may be Disney’s Princess of Pop, but the hottest thing to come out of Dreamworld this New Year’s Eve is Steffi Burns, a little Miss with a big direction.

With more sass than most 16 year olds and the voice of an angel, Steffi not only idolizes Miley and her alter ego Hannah Montana, the 11 year old is following in her footsteps, having written and recorded an original song inspired by her idol.

The radio-worthy pop anthem, ‘No Surprise’ placed Steffi in the final four of the primary school division of Q Song 2008, a state-wide search for Queensland’s best and most innovative songwriters. It has also landed Steffi the biggest gig of her fledging career; launching the live music line up at Dreamworld’s New Year’s Eve Party in the Park.

Belting out two 20 minute sets of hits by her idols Miley Cyrus, Hilary Duff, and Kylie
Minogue, Steffi is counting down the sleeps until she explodes onstage on December 31 before a crowd of thousands. “I’m so excited because I get to start 2009 doing what I love most at the coolest place on earth.

Steffi says she is keyed up to meet Australia’s reigning Princess of Pop and Idol presenter, Ricki Lee Coulter who will headline the night’s entertainment. “I’ve watched Australian Idol since it started and I can’t believe I’m performing on the same stage as Ricki Lee. I hope she’ll give me some audition tips because I want to try out for the show when I’m old enough.”

Under the tutelage of renowned vocal coach Venetta Fields, whose guidance set 2005 Australian Idol winner Kate DeAraugo on the road to stardom, Steffi is already a mini professional having performed for over 100,000 people at gigs throughout south east Queensland “I love singing. I’ve performed at two Gold Coast Blaze games, two Gold Coast Shows and Wakakirri Festivals so I’ve had lots of practice for Dreamworld on New Year’s Eve.

”Steffi is being coached for the big gig by her pet pooch Scooby who rehearses alongside the pint-sized pop star, and helps her to project her voice over audience noise. “Whenever I sing my dog barks really loud and dances around; I think he wants to be in the show too. I guess he’s getting me in shape for when hundreds of kids will be screaming all around me on the thrill rides.”

Steffi will be followed by master puppeteer David Hamilton and Rikki Lee. Other festivities included in the entry price are face painters, roving artists and a spectacular explosion of rockets and sparklers in a New Year’s festival of fire.

Tickets are $65 Adults and $45 children. Adults can upgrade to The Den for canapés and conversation for an additional $50 per person.  Tickets are limited, so book in advance online at www.dreamworld.com.au or call the Dreamworld Booking Centre
on (07) 5556 1111

60 Seconds with Steffi Burns
How many songs can Steffi sing? “I know about fifty songs. It takes me around a day to
learn something new but the more you sing, the better you get at it so I practice every day.”
What instruments does Steffi play? “I’ve played the piano for four years and six months ago I
started to learn the guitar. Playing the guitar is a lot of fun but it means I can’t have long
fingernails because they get in the way of holding down the strings.”
Who is Steffi’s style icon? “I love Hannah Montana’s clothes; I have a closet full just like hers.
My Mum helps me shop for my stage outfits but everything I wear has to match my multi
coloured converse sneakers because I love them, I wear them almost every time I perform!”
Favourite song? “Its way too hard to choose a favourite but I really love ‘Wake Up America’ by
Miley Cyrus and ‘If I didn’t Have You’ by Emily Osment.”
Celebrity Crush? “I like Mitchell Musso; he plays Oliver in Hannah Montana.
What’s on Steffi’s Xmas wish list? “I’d love an iPod Touch for Christmas because it holds
heaps of songs and music videos and the touch screen is really cool.”
Any hobbies besides music? “I’m a big reader; I have a huge box full of Hannah Montana
books that I read over and over again.”
Favourite Dreamworld Ride? “I can’t wait to ride the Runaway Reptar Rollercoaster under the fireworks on New Year’s!”