STAR ON THE RISE
Townsville singer-songwriter Kayla Conyers has a big 2019 on the horizon, taking her music career to the next level with her first single release.
The Pimlico State High School
Year 12 student said one of the biggest launching pads for her music was winning the On Song competition in 2017, a program for young singersongwriters to develop their skills, as part of the Queensland Music Festival.
Kayla won the chance to perform and participate in workshops with esteemed musician and songwriter Jack Carty, learning the ropes of professional songwriting.
“It’s a really good mentorship program to help singer-songwriters try and emerge into the music industry,” she said.
Kayla said the opportunity completely changed her perspective on being a songwriter.
“I did end up writing a really awesome song with Jack, and I performed to the school and it opened up lots of opportunities for me,” she said.
“It definitely helped my creativity and my whole view on songwriting.”
Kayla said there was nothing to lose by entering the competition, and the benefits were enormous.
“Today I’ve written so many more songs thanks to Jack and we still keep in contact – it’s just the best opportunity,” she said.
“I was so lucky to have that.”
Kayla said she was excited to use the knowledge and skills she gained from On Song to move into the next phase of her musical career.
“I’m really lucky because next month my single is being released,” she said.
“I would love to become a singer that’s well known so I can share my passion and my love for music with everybody.
“I feel like music is like an escape from the real world. It’s a completely different place to go and I just want to share that with people and let them realise that you can escape life’s problems through music.
“I just want my songs to be able to help people cope through some of the issues they go through.”
The two Queensland Music Festival programs, On Song and Score IT!, have been officially launched for 2019, with entries closing on May 24.
Score IT! is for students from
Years 7-12 offering the chance to create an original composition to accompany a short film produced by the Griffith Film School, and On Song is open for budding songwriters aged 12-18.
On Song is judged by Carty and Queensland Music Festival artistic director and musician Katie Noonan.
Noonan said she was excited to be starting the 2019 Queensland Music Festival with the two huge opportunities for school students.
“They really encapsulate the spirit of the Queensland Music
Festival: collaboration, creativity and musical excellence, along with our mandate for community engagement and supporting the music and musicians of tomorrow to flourish,” Noonan said.
“These are unique career opportunities and I am so thrilled to bring these competitions to our Queensland schools.
“I say to all Queensland students: have a go and experience the magic of making your own music.”
Entry for Score IT! and On Song is free for all Queensland students. Visit www.qmf.org.au for more information on how to apply.