This scholarship includes:
30 hours of one-on-one mentorship
- singing lessons
- language coaching
- stagecraft and acting
- musicianship and historically-informed performance
- professional development
MISSION STATEMENT
The David Laurence Scholarship for developing artists was created to help dismantle systems of prejudice and provide access to singing lessons to those who may not otherwise have access to them. It also focuses on the transformative nature that singing and music can have on our lives.
The award was created in honour of Dr David Laurence Brash, who devoted his life to improving the quality of life and mental health of countless people, and his support of the arts and music education.
If you are a person 18 years and over who dreams of pursuing singing, but something out of your control is standing in your way, you are encouraged to apply for this scholarship. The award is open to citizens of any country.
FAQs
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What is a Developing Artist? Do I need to be a certain age?A developing artist refers to a singer who is in the process of learning and growing in their craft. Although this can include young singers, it is not exclusive to them. It's important to note that the mentorship program has a minimum age requirement of 18, but there is no upper age limit. Therefore, if you're above the age range typically targeted by traditional educational opportunities, you are still encouraged to apply for this scholarship.
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What do I need to include in my application?You can find the application form at the top of this page. Please send your completed form, CV and two videos of you singing to liviabrash@hotmail.com
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What if I need help with my application?If you need any help with your application, send your questions to liviabrash@hotmail.com
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Are there any restrictions to the scholarship?Restrictions to the scholarship are outlined here.
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Who was David Laurence?This scholarship was created in honour of the late Dr David Laurence Brash. You can read more about him here.
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I live in another country, how do I have my lessons with you?This scholarship is open to singers internationally. All you need is a stable internet connection and access to Skpye. Please include your time zone and availability on your application form to ensure we can find a mutually good time in which we can meet each other.
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How much does it cost to apply?.In keeping with the mission of accessibility, there is no fee to apply for this scholarship
PAST RECEIPIENTS
2024 / 2025
GRACE CLIFFORD
Grace Clifford is an interdisciplinary artist and scholar from New Jersey, USA. She is a PhD student in Russian Literature at Northwestern University, having received her bachelor’s from Columbia in Classical Studies. Besides music, Grace has artistic experience in dance, choreography, poetry, translation, and costume design.
During the pandemic she rediscovered her passion for singing, and began performing shortly afterwards with Columbia’s student-run New Opera Workshop and department-affiliated Barnard-Columbia Ancient Drama Society. In 2023, she performed the role of Singing Helen in a (theoretically and visually) drag-inspired mashup of Aristophanes’ Women at the Thesmophoria and Euripides’ Helen in front of some of the leading scholars of ancient drama and performance within the discipline of classics.
She takes a strong interest in the relationship between text and performance, and is currently writing her masters’ thesis on Pushkin and Tchaikovsky’s respective Eugene Onegins, drawing on performance theory and her own musical background to enrich her otherwise-straightforward literary criticism.
Grace’s uniquely synthetic approach to theory and praxis at the intersection of art and scholarship enlivens both. She is so excited for the opportunity to use the 2024 David Laurence Scholarship to continue to develop as an artist.
2023
DIANE AYERDI
Hailing from San Francisco, USA, Diane Ayerdi is a singer-actor on the rise. She started her vocal training at age 16 at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music before redirecting her attention to acting, having attained a Bachelor of Arts (Radio and Television, Cinema) from San Francisco State University, and an Associate of Arts (Arts and Humanities) at the City College of San Francisco. Diane has also trained at the Bay Area Acting Studio and San Francisco Acting Academy, with a focus on stage acting and voice overs.
During the global pandemic, Diane made her exciting return to singing. She studied with the Premiere Opera Vocal Arts Institute, where she studied with internationally renown soprano, Carol Vaness, and quickly started making waves on the international competition circuit. In 2022 alone, she won Laureate of the Third Degree at the Grand Prix of the International Vocal Competition, third prize at the King’s Peak Music Competition, and received honorable mentions at the Medici International Music Competition, Amadeus International Music Awards, and BTHVN Wien Online Competition.
Diane is also an accomplished lyricist, with credits such as Best Pop Song for the Hollywood Song-writing Contest 2015, finalist for the American Song-writing Awards 2015, and semi-finalist for UK Song-writing Contest 2018.
2022
TRINITY PRESTON
Trinity Preston is a young singer-songwriter on the path to stardom. By age 15, she was already winning open-age singing competitions, and at 16 her original song “Give me a Name” (which she recorded with Australian Idol winner, Damien Leith) was aired on Power FM.
Trinity has used her precocious musicality to largely teach herself, emulating recordings of her favorite singers with powerful and passionate voices.
In addition to being the recipient of the 2022 David Laurence Scholarship for developing artists, Trinity will also be undertaking a Bachelor of Performance and Theatre at the University of Wollongong.
Trinity's story in the Hunter Valley News can be found here.
CONTACT
LIVIA BRASH