Indented Head singer Brianna Ekberg says a Geelong music scholarship was instrumental in taking her career to the next level.
“As a young classical singer I found it difficult at times to receive recognition for my hours of intensive rehearsing,” the 18-year-old said.
“I really hope one day I will be back performing in Geelong, having established myself as an accomplished artist on the world stage.”
The young songstress won the Music Society of Geelong’s 2016 Vocal Award, earning $1000 towards her studies.
Ekberg’s musical career began in earnest when she joined the Geelong Youth Choir at age eight.
“Through this amazing local choir I learnt songs in many different languages and genres,” she said. “To me it feels like I have always sung.”
Ekberg was 13 when the Victorian Opera came to Geelong to perform children’s opera Brundibar.
She auditioned and earned a role, and has since performed in four of Victorian Opera’s youth productions.
Ekberg has put the money towards studying Classical Voice Performance at the Melbourne Conservatory based at the University of Melbourne.
The society’s scholarships allowed young musicians like her to follow their musical dreams, she said.
“My ambitions are to follow up my Bachelor of Music with Honours and then a Masters in Opera.”
Music Society of Geelong’s Chris Hosie described Ekberg as “highly talented and motivated”.
He encouraged local music lovers to attend the society’s next competition 2pm on Sunday at the Keith Humble Centre, at the Geelong College Senior School, Newtown.
“Support some of Geelong’s finest young talent while they perform to an appreciative crowd in a fantastic venue,” he said.
For $5 Geelong’s aspiring musicians can enter in the competition’s five categories of vocal, brass, strings, piano and wind.
