Grant winner expresses gratitude

Empire Bay performer Ms Madeline Bell, one of four artists from the Peninsula to receive a 2017 grant from the Bouddi Foundation of the Arts, has expressed her gratitude for the grant.

Ms Bell was awarded a grant of $1000 to pursue a career in musical theatre and said she would be using the money to continue her training in dance, drama and music.

"I have been doing musical theatre for around eight years and I have been training in dance for 16 years," Ms Bell said.

"I've been studying drama for seven years and have done music vocal training for five years.

"I am so passionate about performing and would not be where I am or who I am today without it.

"I currently travel around an hour and 40 minutes to attend Hunter School of the Performing Arts Newcastle.

"Ever since I was little I had a passion for performing and having such encouraging and supportive parents I was able to do so at such a young age."

Ms Bell said her goal for the future was to become a professional performer.

"The ultimate goal for me is to be performing in Musical Theatre professionally, but being such a difficult industry to be in if I wasn't able to do it I would love to teach any of the three arts and share my passion with others."

"I am so grateful for this opportunity," she said.

Another recipient was Ms Tiana Young of Umina who received a $2000 grant and a full day of recording time with writer producer Mr Michael Carpenter, as well as a music publishing contract.

Ms Young has been performing since she was two years old and said she has been in love with music for as long as she could remember.

"I started performing in early childhood and have since done singing, dance, drama, modelling, visual arts and also play the guitar and piano," she said.

Ms Young has also been working a stage circuit in leading roles in musicals and operas and is currently in her first year of university and studying with Sydney Conservatorium.

She said she was going to use her grant money to record her original music and produce an album.

"My music is inspired by my musical theatre and classical background combined with my love of jazz and lyric writing," she said.

After graduation Ms Young said she wanted to explore the international music scene and discover the cultural influence on music in different regions of the world.

"I would love for one day to be able have my own band and work with orchestras globally in large concert settings," she said.

SOURCE:

Interviews, 15 Sep 2017

Madeline Bell, Empire Bay

Tiana Young, Umina

Reporter: Dilon Luke