THEY’VE travelled from far and wide to get up close and personal with country music’s biggest names – and on Friday they will graduate as rising stars.
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They are the 25 CMAA Junior Academy of Country Music students who have spent the last week learning the ropes from the best in the business at the Calrossy Anglican School Campus.
From business to marketing, social media to vocals and instruments, it was an intensive week of learning for the aspiring singers and songwriters with many leaving feeling uplifted and ready to take on their new careers.
The grand finale will take place at the Calrossy Hall on Friday night where they will perform in a graduation concert alongside their star tutors.
The best part is, it’s open to the general public.
Admission is free with the event to begin at 7pm.
Among the group is Tamworth’s Hattie Oates and former local girl Chelsea Rollings who were blown away by the experience.
“I love it, it’s such a nice atmosphere,” Rollings said.
“I hope I manage to get my foot in the door and from here it will keep on snowballing instead of stopping and starting.”
While Oates said she enjoyed being surrounded by industry professionals.
“I’ve always had a love for music but I’ve only been performing for two and a half years” she said.
“It’s been amazing, the wealth of knowledge that they have been able to share with us and even the marketing talks have really helped. It means so much to be able to sing but to be able to get yourself out there is another thing.”
Country star, Amber Lawrence, spoke to the students about business and marketing. A former accountant herself, she hoped her advice would resonate with the aspiring singers.
“It’s not the fun stuff but it’s the stuff that can keep you in your career,” she said.
“I do it because I can, you might aswell share and make the industry stronger.”
Academy director Lyn Bowtell said she was grateful to be leading the academy and helping another group of young stars shine.
“These kids are incredibly talented and really open to advice and listening to their tutors, it’s actually pretty special,” she said.
“There’s definitely a broad array of talent, they’re a young bunch and they’re very unique.
“I think it’s really nice to see so many young people who are able to come from all different walks of life and they’ve all got this common interest which is music and country music.
“They’re able to get along and be open to hearing what each other has to say and aswell as the tutors.
“I think we will see some future stars among them.”
