Cam Dawson of Garin College performs at the Smokefree Rockquest regional heats. He is now a finalist in the competition.

Garin College Student Cam Dawson is hoping third time is the charm after winning the solo section of Nelson's Smokefree Rockquest regional heats.

The 16-year-old pianist has reached nationals for the annual songwriting and performance competition three years running with his original song Songbird.

Dawson, who is blind, said he has been writing music since his was 10.

"I think the hardest part is finding exactly what you want to say.

"I'm quite often inspired by people who really focus on the lyrics and make them important to the song, like Ed Sheeran or Eminem.

"I'm not a rapping person but I admire rappers' lyrical proficiency, I guess."

The winners of the heat will now perform at the regional final on Friday night.

Dawson said he enjoyed that Rockquest was that it was "never too much about the competition".

"Yeah, I feel competitive and I want to get it but it's not the most important part to me. I like getting together and doing music with other people."

Rockquest founder and director Glenn Commons said more entrants were reaching a higher level of musical ability in the competition's 27th year.

"They go for so many influences. They can get hold of anything and listen really widely and that does come through [in the competition]."

Nelson's performers were "every bit as good as previous years'", he said.

"If I look at what has happened over the past three years, I would say [Nelsonians] definitely have the ability to win.

"I think the Nelson regional final will be a particularly strong one."