Bar set high as students shine in Competitive Scholarship Auditions
Congratulations to all the students who participated in the 2027 Central Coast Conservatorium of Music Competitive Scholarship process, of which the live auditions were held on Saturday 7 November and were adjudicated by Anne-Frances Hopkins and Patrick Brennan.
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 Conservatorium.
A selection of successful senior performers were chosen, through the audition process, as finalists for the Allen Family Senior Scholarship Competition on 6 March 2027 and the Pearl Beach Association Senior Scholarship Finals to be held 22 May 2027. 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.
“I was delighted to be able to sit on the panel with a wonderful external examiner Anne, and the feedback from both her and myself was that the standard was exceptionally high.
Although not all students would be awarded prizes, everyone who performed that day was a winner. Their performances were outstanding, and the students should be exceptionally proud of what they achieved in such a high-pressure environment.
In preparation for the students moving forward into the next round, which we will see next year, I would like to say to them: work diligently on your preparation. The most important thing you can do when you are in that performance environment is to speak musically from the heart. Say something with your music, and that will enable you to give your best performance.”
– Patrick Brennan, Artistic Director
2027 Scholarship Winners and Finalists
Allen Family Junior Scholarship Winners
- Allen Family Junior Scholarship First Place – Ara Woo (flute)
- Allen Family Junior Scholarship Second Place – George Allen (violin)
- Allen Family Junior Scholarship Third Place – Rose Moura Atkins (vocal)
Irvine Family Piano Scholarship Winner
- Grace Moura Atkins
Music Centre Gosford Guitar Scholarship Winners
- Kairavan Selvarajan and Jensen Hornsby
Allen Family Senior Scholarship Finalists
- Caitlin Swadel (flute)
- Grace Moura Atkins (piano)
- Ishi Sridharan (clarinet)
- Lucas Sequeira (cello)
- Mathias Way (piano)
- Monika Sydenham (alto saxophone)
Winners to be decided in Allen Family Senior Scholarship Competition on Saturday 6 March 2027
Pearl Beach Association Senior Scholarships Finalists
- Caitlin Swadel (flute)
- Grace Moura Atkins (piano)
- Ishi Sridharan (clarinet)
- Jensen Hornsby (guitar)
- Kairavan Selvarajan (guitar)
- Lucas Sequeira (cello)
- Mathias Way (piano)
- Monika Sydenham (alto saxophone)
Winners to be decided in Pearl Beach Senior Scholarship Finals on Saturday 22 May 2027
