Angela from the Shrubbery solo artist Angela Woodward (17) described her style as soft rock, and said her sister helped her come up with the name.
"We were trying to figure out what to call me, and my sister said, 'Shrubbery is a cool word'."
Angela was reluctant to go on stage as just "shrubbery", and that was how she became Angela from the Shrubbery, she said.
This is the first time Angela has entered the competition as a solo artist, and the first time she has made it to the regional finals.
Her first foray into the Rockquest competition came as part of a band, which also featured guitarist Daniel Forrest.
Daniel is now a member of the other South Otago High School band to make it through - Redemption.
The pair put their success down to the failure of the previous band, which broke up partly because the bass guitarist left, and partly because they had conflicting musical styles.
Angela is interested in soft rock, but Daniel and the rest of Redemption's members prefer metal.
Redemption has been playing together since the beginning of the year and although their school, sporting and work commitments sometimes get in the way of their music aspirations, they still find time to practise for at least an hour a day.
Redemption singer Reuben Gray said that at the semifinals the band arrived late and could not do a sound check before going on stage.
As a result his singing drowned out the other instruments.
"We've learnt from our mistake," he said.
"At the finals, we will do a sound check."
