Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2025 Central Coast Conservatorium of Music Competitive Scholarship auditions held on Saturday 9 October.
Each year the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music supports students through its competitive scholarship programs. These programs are provided through the generosity of donors, supporters and sponsors from our community including Ray Allen, the Irvine family, Music Centre Gosford, Central Coast Philharmonia Choir and Pearl Beach Progress Association.
Scholarships are awarded to support students with excellent potential and talent as well as to encourage further study and achievement at the Central Coast Con.
Amaya Farri was awarded the Central Coast Philharmonia Richard Newton Senior Vocal Scholarship, while guitarist Kairavan Selverajan was named the recipient of the Music Centre Gosford Senior Guitar Scholarship. Pianist Kaytlin Copaceanu won first place in the Irvine Family Piano Scholarship, with Grace Moura Atkins taking home the Irvine Family Piano Scholarship second place.
A selection of succesful senior performers were chosen, through the audition process, as finalists for the Allen Family Senior Scholarship Competition on 24 November and the Pearl Beach Association Senior Scholarship Finals to be held next May. Both contests offer high calibre Central Coast Conservatorium of Music students the chance to vie for top awards, and are an excellent opportunity for our students to perform for the community and deliver breathtaking performances.
Amaya, Kairavan and Grace were among the six finalists selected to compete in the Allen Family Senior Scholarships on Sunday 24 November. They will be joined by Emma Deed (flute), Anya Sandeman (trombone), Claire Berecry-Brown (violin).
All six senior finalists will perform at the Supporters Concert featuring the Allen Family Senior Scholarships finals and vie for one of three prizes (1st place $3000, 2nd place $2000 and 3rd place $1000). Now in its 11th Year the prestigious Allen Family Scholarships are generously supported by Central Coast Conservatorium supporter Ray Allen and family.
Central Coast Conservatorium Artistic Director and senior scholarship adjudicator, Patrick Brannan, congratulated all the students who auditioned on the day. “The standard was exceptional and once again our students have shown that music and music education is alive and well on the Central Coast. I would like to thank our junior adjudicators Patrick and Lyn Brisland and also our sponsors, including Ray and Helen Allen and the Irvine Family. We look forward to welcoming all our supporters and enjoying a great concert at the Allen Family Scholarship Finals on 24 November.”
Senior scholarship adjudicator Carl Schmidt said: “The standard of performance was once again extremely high and showcased the outstanding dedication and commitment from students, the high level of teaching from Conservatorium staff and the much needed support from parents – all of which are essential in enabling such a high calibre level of competition. Each student regardless of outcome, has demonstrated a commendable amount of effort and are to be congratulated on their achievement.”
In the Junior Section, Lucas Sequeira was named the Allen Family Junior Scholarship winner, with pianist Sienna Joy Copaceanu earning second place, followed by flautist Caitlin Swadel. The Allen Family Junior Scholarship adjudicators were Patrick and Lyn Brislan.
Eight senior finalists for the 2025 Pearl Beach Association Senior Scholarship Finals, to be held in Pearl Beach next May, were selected through the audition process. They are Emma Deed (flute), Kairavan Selvarajan (guitar), Claire Berecry-Brown (violin), Anya Sandeman (trombone), Amaya Farri (vocal), Grace Moura Atkins (piano), Mitchell Frith (French horn) and Minjy Lee (violin).
2025 Scholarship winners and finalists
- Central Coast Philharmonia Choir Richard Newton Vocal Scholarship – Amaya Farri
- Music Centre Gosford Senior Guitar Scholarship – Kairavan Selvarajan
- Irvine Family Piano Scholarship First Place – Kaytlin Copaceanu
- Irvine Family Piano Scholarship Second Place – Grace Moura Atkins
Allen Family Junior Scholarship Winners
- Allen Family Junior Scholarship First Place – Lucas Sequeira (cello)
- Allen Family Junior Scholarship Second Place – Sienna Joy Copaceanu (piano)
- Allen Family Junior Scholarship Third Place – Caitlin Swadel (flute)
Allen Family Senior Scholarship Finalists
- Emma Deed (flute)
- Kairavan Selvarajan (guitar)
- Claire Berecry-Brown (violin)
- Anya Sandeman (trombone)
- Amaya Farri (vocal)
- Grace Moura Atkins (piano)
* Winners to be decided in Allen Family Senior Scholarship Competition on 24 November
Pearl Beach Association Senior Scholarships Finalists
- Emma Deed (flute)
- Kairavan Selvarajan (guitar)
- Claire Berecry-Brown (violin)
- Anya Sandeman (trombone)
- Amaya Farri (vocal)
- Grace Moura Atkins (piano)
- Mitchell Frith (French horn)
- Minjy Lee (violin)
* Winners to be decided in Pearl Beach Senior Scholarship Finals in May 2025
Highly Commended Seniors
- Minjy Lee (violin)
- Mitchell Frith (French horn)
Highly Commended Juniors
- Yaalini Selvarajan (flute)
- Monica Sydenham (saxophone)
- Johanna Sandeman (violin)
- Hechter Caleb Saturno (piano)
- Mathias Way (piano)
