A TEEN songstress from Cleveland has taken out Queensland Education’s top vocalist prize - the coveted Creative Generation Voices soloist award.
Gabriella Boumford, 17, wowed judges with her stirring rendition of She Used to Be Mine at the competition’s finals, held earlier this month at Fortitude Valley’s Judith Wright Centre.
The Cleveland District High School student, who trains under the school’s vocal coach Jo Andre, was chosen as one of the competition’s top 15 singers after auditioning alongside 150 others for a spot in the CGEN Voices Soloist State Final.
While Gabriella has sung for the past six years, she said her win at the inaugural event was an unexpected surprise.
“I was completely shocked when they said my name,” she said. “I was clapping for the winner. The people I was competing against were absolutely incredible.”
While delighted by the win, Gabriella said the real prize was the opportunity to train under Australian artists Kate Miller-Heidke, Simon Gallaher and Natalie Bassingthwaighte.
Gabriella said lessons on songwriting, vocal techniques and performance, which were delivered in workshops held across three days, prepared her for the finals and for a career in musical theatre.
“The wisdom and knowledge from the mentors was exceptional,” she said.
Gabriella, who will perform at Queensland Education’s Showcase Gala Awards night in October, said she hoped to audition for professional musical productions after finishing year 12 later this year.
Cleveland District High School deputy principal Grant Mitchell described the talented teen as a “triple threat”.
“Gabriella has every personal and professional attribute needed to succeed in the Arts industry,” he said.
“She is one of the most talented, true ‘triple threat’, singing, dancing and acting students, I have ever had the pleasure to teach in my 35-year career as an educator.
“I believe that one day we will see Gabriella’s name up in lights in West End or on Broadway.”