2024 Great Ydeas Small Grant Winner
Emma English is one of the four recipients of our 2024 Great Ydeas Small Grant Awards. We caught up with Emma to find out how her inspiring project, “Student Scholarship for Singing Lessons,” is progressing and to gather some valuable advice for those considering applying in 2025.
Questions
1.) Why did you sign up for Great Ydeas?
Easy! I signed up for Great Ydeas because I wanted to give young students, who might not otherwise have the opportunity, a chance to explore their passion for singing. My goal was to provide a supportive environment where they could develop their skills, build confidence, and step out of their comfort zones. For those new to singing, it’s all about encouraging them to shine and discover their potential.
2.) How’s the journey going so far?
It’s going really well! I’ve been able to offer my students more performance opportunities, like the Bungendore Town Christmas Party. It’s been amazing to watch them grow in confidence and skill. Some of them had never performed in front of an audience before, so seeing them take that leap was such a proud moment. Watching them step out of their comfort zones and give it a go was truly incredible.
3.) What has been a standout highlight for you?
In Term 4 of 2024, I offered a scholarship to a student in my younger class, and it’s been so rewarding to see her grow each week. I’m really excited to continue sharing my knowledge with her and giving her more experiences to help build her confidence next year. Last term, I also gave my students extra performance opportunities, which they absolutely loved. It was such a special moment seeing them step up, be brave, and share their love of singing with their families, friends, and the local community.
4.) Have there been any unexpected obstacles?
It’s been a bit challenging to generate interest in the scholarships, which I definitely wasn’t expecting. But I’m staying committed and planning to offer two more scholarships in 2025 because I truly believe these opportunities can make a big difference in students’ lives. To boost awareness and engagement, I’m considering collaborating with local schools and community organisations to spread the word! I’m hopeful that these efforts will inspire more students to apply or someone will know someone! It’s a great opportunity.
5.) What advice would you give to someone considering Great Ydeas Small Grants?
I would say absolutely go for it! It is such a rewarding process seeing the project coming together after working towards it and prepping for so long. See a gap in the market and think you could do something? Do it. There are so many opportunities and space to make a difference, so I say go for it, even if it means giving an opportunity to just one person at a time, you can still make a real difference.
