Fifteen-year-old Adelaide soprano Grace Bawden, is taking off on a new direction.
The classical crossover singer (from operatic arias to traditional, all-time favourites and jazz) has recently been busking in Adelaide’s main shopping strip, Rundle Mall, on Saturday mornings and drawing big crowds.
Now, in what might be a busking first, she has become a jet-setting busker, flying to Sydney tomorrow for two days of busking.
“I thought it would be good to get new experience outside Adelaide and South Australia,” Grace said.
Grace’s stints in Rundle Mall during the past few Saturdays have earned her enough money to pay for the trip.
She hopes Sydney people will be as generous as Adelaide people.
“But the main goal is to get exposure,” she said.
“I need a backer for my first album.”
Grace, who has a repertoire of 500 songs, recently completed work on a three-song demonstration “album” with multi-award winning Sydney producer/ writer, Audius Mtawarira, who offered to help her. Audius has worked with Delta Goodrem, Guy Sebastian, Paulini, Deni Hines and, more recently, has helped catapult Erica Baxter’s career.
Grace co-wrote two of the songs, one with Sydney composer/songwriter Barbara Griffin. Both songs have made it to Broadjam’s Classical, Classical-Contemporary and Australian Top 10 charts.
Grace is endorsed by the Australian Business Arts Fund which organises tax-deductible donations for artists. Her target is to raise $14,600 for her debut album.
As appreciation for the support she’s been given in developing her career to date, Grace will give all profits from the projected album to the Australian Drug Treatment and Rehabilitation Program and Adelaide’s St Francis Xavier Cathedral choir scholarship.
Grace’s credits include:
· soloist at last year’s Adelaide Carols by Candlelight
· exclusive entertainer at a recent Afternoon Tea series at the Hyatt Regency, Adelaide
· cantor vocalist with St Francis Xavier Cathedral Choir
· South Australian Country Music Association’s Junior Entertainer of the Year 2007
Enquiries for further information, interviews, pics:
Matilda (Mat) Bawden - Grace’s mother, who will be accompanying her
0412 836 685
Itinerary
Friday, 14 December
6.20am Jetstar flight JQ761, arriving Sydney 8.40am
Obtain busking permit
10.30am approx, busking in Sydney CBD, beginning in vicinity of Opera House
Saturday, 15 December
Busking in Sydney CBD
Sunday, 16 December
6.55am Virgin Blue Flight DJ402, arriving Adelaide 8.30am