SHARING knowledge and skills is one of the most valuable gifts for those willing to learn.
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Helping up-and-comers by teaching them what they love helps future-proof an industry.
Dozens of Australia’s most hopeful country music stars have converged on Tamworth for a two-week course that puts them directly in touch with the industry’s best.
CMAA Academy of Country Music is a wonderful initiative for young musicians who one day hope to return to the country music capital as professional performers for the ever-growing Tamworth Country Music Festival (TCMF).
The residential course allows students over the age of 16 to learn from esteemed country music stars on the singing, performing and songwriting fronts.
The academy was created in 2009, after the merging of the long-running, highly-successful CMAA Australian College of Country Music and the Tamworth Camerata Junior Country Music School.
There is no other workshop like it in the country.
Young musicians who have looked up to stars since the day picked up an instrument have the invaluable opportunity to learn directly from them.
These stars should be commended for investing time in young people who are chasing down their dreams – probably the same dreams they once had.
Sharing knowledge and skills with those who want it most ensures the country music industry has a strong future – not only in Tamworth, but the entire country.
When The Leader visited the academy on Wednesday, students were so excited to not only meet some of their idols, but actually sit down and learn from them.
Helping aspiring musicians reach their goals must be applauded.
The academy wraps up just before TCMF.
Many of the young guns will stick around to either watch their stars in action or put to use the skills acquired during the course.
Either way, the festival is Tamworth’s chance to shine.
The city’s population is expected to triple when it kicks off on January 20.
But already, young people are talking about how great the city is for allowing them to experience the best of country music.
When the spotlight beams on us over the 10-day festival, it’s important we support and nurture the talent on show – the very place where careers are launched.
