Leah Lever’s dream of performing on the world’s greatest stages has moved a step closer.
This year, the young soprano is among a number of students to have commenced a Bachelor of Creative Arts (Music) at the University of Southern Queensland (USQ).
Leah was an accelerated student and identified musically gifted in primary school. At age 15, her singing resume reads like a performing veteran having starred with world-renowned soprano Mirusia in her touring show. Mirusia then produced Leah’s debut CD Dream Catcher.
Last year she completed a Head Start course through USQ and was accepted in to the University’s Creative Arts program.
“As a developing artist it also gives me the opportunity to collaborate with others and explore and extend my repertoire and music style,” she said.
Besides driving to Toowoomba for classes, she also has a hectic performance schedule which includes the Neil Diamond tribute and her own touring show.
“There is nowhere else I want to be than learning more, and performing more.”
USQ’s Music program is increasingly recognised as one of the most innovative in Australia.
School of Arts and Communication senior lecturer Dr Melissa Forbes (contemporary singing and music) said it was a holistic program of learning, which valued musical diversity and integrated theory with practice and music technology.
“Leah didn't want to be pigeonholed within a specific genre. Music graduates today need to be versatile, collaborative, industry-connected, self-motivated and creative,” Dr Forbes said.
