Rebecca Stephens, a talented young flautist from Bairnsdale, has won the 2022 Newsboys Foundation Regional Music award. The award recognises and supports emerging musicians from rural and regional areas across Victoria.
Rebecca began playing music in 2013, starting flute lessons when she was just seven years old. She has completed all AMEB exams from preliminary to grade 8 with a result of either B+ or A in every exam.
Rebecca has written and performed an original flute composition with her string quartet and begun writing an original musical. She said winning the Newsboys Foundation Regional Music Award would be invaluable in building her career.
“As a rural student, it is uncommon to be able see professional performances and musicians, and there are far less opportunities for growth.
“I will love to have the opportunities that this award provides as I know the mentoring sessions and lessons will help me to improve and the free performances will be incredibly inspiring and encouraging.”
Rebecca has ambitions to run her own performance company, including theatre, singing, dancing, acting, music and many kinds of performance.
“My personal focus is on acting and theatre making. I want to continue playing and would like to include live music performances in this company. I also want to be able to write original music to be performed.”
Newsboys Foundation CEO Sandy Shaw said the Regional Music Award “has been life changing and career changing” for the young winners since the inauguration award in 2015.
“It is a prize that can’t be bought. The winner has access to the Melbourne Recital Centre every day for a week, goes to concerts every night, has master classes, individual lessons and meets people who are highly accomplished in the classical music industry.”
Winners also get the opportunity to visit other organisations, such as the Australian National Academy of Music and the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.
Ms Shaw said the Newsboys award seeks to create opportunities for young regional musicians to reach their full potential.
“We know that young musicians from rural and regional Victoria already have that extra bit of magic because they have had to face the challenge of geographical isolation and being isolated from the music world.”
“They have to play on their own, can’t connect with peers in the way that young people in the city can, and must push themselves harder to get on top of their discipline and learn to play at such a high level.”
Mr Euan Murdoch, CEO Melbourne Recital Centre said: “We are delighted to be partnering with the Newsboys Foundation to offer this unique opportunity; helping to build valuable musical connections and create inspiring lifelong memories for young musicians in Regional Victoria.”
Rebecca’s performance can be viewed on YouTube at this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TaYWDUELo4o
Rebecca’s flute teachers are Carryn Caithness (Preliminary-present), Lynette Newman (Grade 5 – Grade 7) and Kim Green (Grade 8).
Rebecca started playing viola in 2017 and has completed both AMEB Grades 2 and 5. Her teachers have been Michelle Lee Dogger, Colin Iversen and Rosemary Iversen.
She has also been mentored by John Noble through taking part in his Itet quartet program since July 2020.