Nikayla Taskinen-Smith is a 23yr old Singer\Songwriter. In 2015 she was working with Claremont College in their musical production "Dusty!" where she portrayed her idol Dusty Springfield. She is also in the early stages of recording her first studio album accompanied by some of Hobart's finest young musicians. She is beginning to build a name for herself around Hobart as she has become a regular performer at many venues around the city. Nikayla has participated in many singer/songwriting workshops with various Australian artists such as Jessica Mauboy, music producer Darryl Beaton, The Potbelleez’ Ilan Kidron, Thirsty Merc’s Rai Thistlethwayte and Wes Car, performing with Wes an original song in Festival of Voices 2015. Nikayla's young career has already taken her to the U.S where she took part in a writing/recording unit at the Los Angeles College of Music in 2014 and returned to take part again in 2015. She is constantly seeking opportunities to develop herself both as a musician and a person and she is hopeful that a career in music will take her to many other great places in the future.

Music Tasmania acknowledges Tasmanian Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of this island, lutruwita (Tasmania). We pay our respects to elders past and present and acknowledge traditional peoples' connection to country. We respect the traditions and customs of the Aboriginal people of lutruwita, who remain the custodians of these lands.