Kerala girl wins big at Fed Square music contest

If there’s a cultural link-up between Kottayam, New Zealand and Melbourne, then it’s got to be the top performance of singer, songwriter and pop artist Jessie Hillel, first prize winner of the Fed Live music contest organized by Melbourne’s art and cultural outfit, Fed Square or Federation Square. 

The Kottayam connection comes from Prof (retd) OM Mathew, Hillel’s grandfather. However, the crooner, born to Melbourne-based IT professional Rabi Hillel and Sigi Susan George, was born and raised in New Zealand. 

Hillel’s number “The Rain” was a huge hit at the Fed Live contest. Fed Square was set up to facilitate the promotion of art, culture and public events. It was expert musical talents who zeroed in on the ten final contestants. The winner was chosen based on the total number of popular public votes garnered. 

The big win was made sweeter by gifts worth 1 lakh dollars which Fed Square presented her with.

The jury found in “The Rain” a seamless blending of western classical and modern music. Melbournians are eagerly awaiting Fed Square’s live show on December 19 where Hillel is scheduled to perform. Jessie Hillel is a student of music in Victoria’s Monash University.