10 April 2024 | Aged Care
True grace on stage
This Queensland Youth Week, we are thrilled to celebrate and recognise the talents, achievements and contributions of young people we have the privilege of supporting through our Youth and Family Services, including Grace, a musician who’s winning over music lovers.
Music gives Grace a way to share her thoughts and her heart.
And now the 14 year old singer from Caboolture can say she shared her spirit with an audience at Bluesfest, a crowd of avid music lovers that descend on Byron Bay every Easter.
Grace said joining Sound Connections 18 months ago was the catalyst to finding her voice.
Sound Connections at Intercept Youth & Family Program in Caboolture runs weekly during the school term, bringing together a group of school aged kids keen to make music with the guidance of professional musicians and Intercept mentors.
The young people learn instruments and work on performance and song writing. This all culminates with an end of term concert.
The focus is on self expression and connecting with their inner voice.
“I love Sound Connections and am so glad to have met the mentors,” Grace said.
“I love all the music and the chance to do things I couldn’t or wouldn’t try.
“Music gives me a way to share my thoughts, my heart and something to focus on no matter what’s happening.”
Like many of us, Grace is searching for meaning in a crowded world.
She lives with Autism and identifies as a First Nations artist.
A sense of connection and belonging through music is giving her the wings to fly.
Mum Sam said the change in Grace since joining the program had been huge.
She said Grace encourages other young people to join her at open mic nights and is playing her own part in bringing people together.
“I think it’s a testament to the program that it awakens and exposes kids to use music as an outlet and form of expression, as well as gaining self-belief,” she said.
“I just wanted to thank (Intercept) for how far Gracie has come – not just musically but being able to express herself, have confidence and believe in herself.”
You can follow Grace on Facebook or Instagram @grace_alexandra_music and thanks for image onewayboulevard on Instagram @onewayboulevard.ig