A TEENAGE musician who is due to start at The BRIT School next month has received a bursary from ArtHouse Jersey to help him at the leading performing and creative arts institution.
Hautlieu pupil Hamish Brodie was recently accepted onto a two-year course at the school, which counts Adele and Amy Winehouse among its past students. He is believed to be the first person from the Channel Islands to go there.
The 16-year-old will receive the Olive Brown Bursary, which provides up to £1,000 per year for up to three years to one higher-education performing arts student from the Island.
Hamish said he was ‘over the moon’ when he found out he had been awarded the funding.
He added: ‘It really does mean a lot to me and my family that there are charities and trusts who support young people that are passionate about a career in music or the arts.
‘This will help me so much going forward in my music career for purchasing equipment and one-to-one lessons at The BRIT School, which will help me develop my abilities further.’
Hamish was a joint winner in the Child of the Year category at last year’s Pride of Jersey Awards – which is once again open for public voting.
Hamish’s musical journey began when he started playing the piano a few years ago, at around the same time that his mother passed away. He passed grade eight – the most difficult music exam – with top marks after four weeks of preparation and last year performed one of his songs at the Pride of Jersey Awards ceremony.
ArtHouse Jersey director Tom Dingle said: ‘We’re delighted to be able to offer this year’s Olive Brown Bursary to Hamish. Over the past 14 years we have invested over £40,000 through this bursary, which has supported 15 students in their pursuit of a career in performing arts.
He added: ‘For far too many, cost is a barrier to pursuing their dreams and it has been a privilege to be the custodian of these funds and see the difference it has made in highly deserving young people’s lives.
‘We are actively seeking new sources of funding to keep these opportunities open and would welcome hearing from any individuals or sponsors who might be in the position to help.’
