Eight Central Coast Conservatorium students and alumni have been awarded Bouddi Foundation for the Arts grants to help further their music careers.

This year the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts grants program experienced a record level of interest and participation with 73 applications from individuals seeing a career in the arts. 

After auditions and interviews in September, a total of 45 young artists will receive a total of almost $80,000 in grants. 

Theodore Brown (oboe), Xavier Cardozo (bassoon), Mia Cross (voice), Kaito Deed (violin), Jerome Drobot (guitar), Suzie Kim (viola), Xienna Miller (violin) and Elana Sydenham (flute) were all successful grant awardees. Awards will be presented at the Foundation’s Awards Day at Wagstaffe Hall on 29 October.  

“It is wonderful to see so many of our students recognised this year, across a wide range of musical genres from voice to guitar,” said Central Coast Conservatorium of Music Artistic Director, Patrick Brennan.

“These grants are invaluable in helping young Central Coast musicians fund tuition, upgrade their instruments and support them in their future artistic pursuits.” 

The Foundation conducted a record number of interviews and auditions. Fifty applicants were invited for interviews or auditions, nearly double any previous year. 

“This marks a significant surge in grant interest, indicating the escalating enthusiasm for the arts among the younger generation. We are excited at these results which speak to the quality of young artistic talent on the Central Coast,” said Bouddi Foundation for the Arts spokesperson Joy Park.

“This record amount reinforces the Foundation’s dedication to supporting the arts and young talent. The sum includes new grants in memory of much-loved members of our local community.

“In this time of financial stress and uncertainty  it is more important than ever that we, as a community, get behind our aspiring artists and help them to achieve their goals for the benefit of us all.”

The Foundation is entirely dependent on the generosity of donors and supporters. For more information about the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, its grant programme, and opportunities to donate to its work, visit the www.bouddiarts.org.au