Actor and Director John Bell, Chairman of the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, presented grant awards to 45 young artists across a wide range of genres at a gala ceremony at Wagstaffe Hall on Sunday, October 29.
“The Bouddi Foundation for the Arts granted an unprecedented $90,000 to a record number of applicants,” Bell said.
“The awards presentation was a showcase of the wide variety of talented youngsters here on the Central Coast, including a violinist, a bassoon player, a filmmaker, several visual artists, a tap dancer, a viola player and several singer-songwriters.”
Guest speaker was film director and producer David Elfick, known for such movies as Crystal Voyager, Newsfront and Rabbit Proof Fence.
He entertained and inspired the audience with tales of growing up in the Australian film industry.
Flautist Elana Sydenham of Gosford was one of six awardees who performed at the event.
She had impressed the panel of adjudicators with her technique despite a much-repaired flute that she hoped one day to replace with a semi-professional instrument.
Through the generosity of Bouddi Foundation donor the Coles Danziger Foundation and a supportive flute shop owner, that day came early for Elana.
With her new instrument, she amazed all at the ceremony on Sunday.
“My goal is to become a famous, well-known and respected musician,” she said.
“I would love to travel the globe, touring in a world-class orchestra.”
Playing the bassoon, Xavier Cardozo of Niagara Park amazed the audience with his mastery of one of the most challenging instruments to play.
He will use his Graeme Anderson Award grant for university studies in music and toward the purchase of a critical part for his bassoon, a curved metal tube known as a “bocal”.
Both Elana and Xavier will perform at a concert this Sunday, November 5, at the Central Coast Conservatorium of Music supporting the Australian Children’s Music Foundation with tickets available at www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1119751.
This year the Foundation conducted a record number of interviews and auditions.
Fifty applicants were invited for interviews or auditions, nearly double any previous year.
Experienced industry professionals evaluated applicants within their respective fields of expertise across 10 arts categories.
“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,” Bell said.
“The Foundation is entirely dependent on the generosity of our donors and supporters.”
Applications for 2024 grants open in March 2024.
For more information about the Bouddi Foundation for the Arts, its grant program and opportunities to donate to its work, visit www.bouddiarts.org.au