Port Stephens musician Jacob Ridgeway has turned to crowd funding to help him and partner Kat Waria reach new heights in their performing careers.
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Ridgeway and Waria have established a Go Fund Me page with a goal of raising $3000 to help them reach Canada where the XXIV International Choral Kathaumixw and Outreach Concerts Tour Week will be held in July.
“We have been working hard to make this opportunity a reality since we found out we had been selected for it in March,” Ridgeway said.
“But the reality is we are coming short due to sponsorship opportunities falling through last minute and places not paying us for gigs.
“Our flights are secured but we have bit the bullet and are hoping the community can help.”
Money raised through the Go Fund Me will go towards the cost of the tour including accommodation, competitions, social events, transportation and uniforms.
The choral festival attracts more than 1200 singers from around the world to share their music and culture and to participate in competitions.
The competitions are open to amateur choirs and soloists and are judged by a jury of internationally renowned musicians.
Choirs can elect to extend their stay and take part in the Kathaumixw Outreach Concert Tours program.
The program provides choirs an opportunity to visit other parts of the province and share their music with other communities.
Ridgeway, who is of Worimi and Kamilaroi descent, and Waria, a descendant of the Woppaburra tribe of Great Keppel Island and Argun Tribe of Badu Island, said they were eager to take part in the festival which would help them grow and develop as performers.
“We’re super keen to make international cultural connections with fellow performers, conductors and educators from around the world who are working across music and the arts,” Ridgeway said.
Reaching the choral festival would cap off a big six months for the pair, having performed in the closing ceremony for the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in April and placing third in the University of Newcastle band competition in May.
Ridgweway also performed to a West Tigers home crowd during the NRL’s Indigenous round in May.
To help Ridgeway and Waria reach the choral festival go to: gofundme.com/canadian-performance-opportunity
Ellie-Marie Watts
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
A journalist with 10 years experience, Ellie-Marie connects readers to the stories that matter in their communities. A Port Stephens-based news, sport and event writer and photographer with a passion for human interest features.
