For the second year in its award program, the Coast Cultural Alliance (CCA) presented a Music for Youth Endowment Grant of $500 to a youth aged 13 to 19, residing on the Sunshine Coast, to assist that student in furthering musical goals.
This year's recipient was Robert Higgins, 18, who was awarded his certificate at the Pulling Together gathering last weekend with his family on hand to watch the presentation. Also present was the CCA's Linda Williams, Community Services' Vicki Dobbyn, whose non-profit society shepherded the funds, and Bronia Kingsbury, representing one of the fund's original seed money providers, the Waking Life Record project started at Chatelech Secondary School years ago by student musicians.
Higgins received the grant money earlier in the year and used the funds to make a CD. He also plans to put the rest of the money towards making a native drum, and an elder will mentor him throughout the project.
Though Higgins has had some challenges as a teenager, he has come out of it well, according to his teacher, and he now leads a singing and drumming group. Music has been important in his life and this is the goal of the grant, according to Williams.
"It's more about the impact this grant will make on their lives, particularly for those not getting support for their music right now," Williams said.
There will be more opportunities for youth through this annual Music For Youth Endowment Grant. Applications for next year's grant will be available in the fall.
