Showcase of young performers at Opera House

Four young performers from the Central Coast were among 22 in the Encore concert at Sydney Opera House which showcased the best musical performance and composition pieces from 2022 Higher School Certificate music students.

It is the first time that so many Coast musicians have been chosen in one year, with just 12 selected over the past 20 years for the annual Encore concerts which celebrate the achievements of a crosssection of talented young performers.

The Coast’s excellent four are: guitarist Ethan Cochran from Kincumber High School; flautist Patrick Ward from St Edwards Christian Brothers College at East Gosford; and vocalists Lilianna Davis from Gosford High School and Scotia Emmett from Green Point Christian College.

Ethan said that for as long as he could remember he had a drive and passion for music, particularly for playing guitar.

Watching his father play guitar and listening to his eclectic genres of music inspired him to a life of music.

He was given his first guitar for his sixth birthday, then on his 13th he received a Gibson Les Paul guitar and from there he decided to take his music to new heights.

Motivated by the annual Byron Bay Bluesfest and other live concerts, Ethan has formed his own band, Bigfoot and the Falcons, which is in the process of making its first LP.

When Lilianna was eight she achieved success in multiple rounds of auditions for the Australian Voice Kids which spurred her on to take singing lessons and develop her enthusiasm for performance through school shows and small events.

She progressed from choirs to solo showcases, discovering a passion for musical theatre and winning several awards.

Lilianna has sung as a featured artist in Newcastle’s Starstruck and in the Schools Spectacular as well as acting professionally, recently winning the national John Bell Scholarship with Bell Shakespeare.

During his school studies Patrick performed in a variety of genres to enhance his musical knowledge and technical abilities: classical, jazz, music of the 21st century and many others.

In his study outside school he participated in the Australian Music Examinations Board exams from ages eight through to 15, always receiving an A or A-plus.

For the Encore concert he chose to perform Fantasia Arabesque by Herman Beeftink for its technical interest with Middle Eastern and Asian music tones and motifs weaving their way through the entire work.

Scotia’s love of music began when she was about seven years and first began performing in musicals with Gosford Musical Society. She has since participated in 16 productions, with her roles including the title role in Annie and most recently the genie in Aladdin Jr.

Scotia, who works as a children’s entertainer, has participated in Youth in Performing Arts (YIPA) concerts as a solo performer for many years and in 2021 received the YIPA/Gosford Musical Society award.

Sue Murray

Chef Daniel’s next guest is the King of satire and comedy Dorian Mode.

Dorian is a local jazz pianist who writes original songs about our local area such as the Woy Woy Waltz Waltz, the Kincumber Rhumba and Get along to Ettalong.

These two are as cheeky as each other.

In this episode, Chef Daniel

with Dorian Mode and Chef Daniel

Considering how long Indian people have been making curries, butter chicken is more like the new kid on the block, developed by accident in the 1950s in New Delhi.

Its Indian name is murgh makhan and it was first called Butter Chicken in an Indian restaurant in Manhattan in 1975. How spicy do you like it?

See the full series of A Pinch of Salt at our website and YouTube Channel @CentralCoastNewsAU or scan the QR code below.

helps Dorian make butter chicken from scratch.

No more bottled sauce mixes; they make Chef Daniel cringe.

Dorian learned a lot about the use of lots of butter and cream in home cooking, despite the belief that these fats are bad. Turns out they are good with most chefs using butter in their cooking.

Tina Wake

Scan Me

Visit Dorian and see upcoming gigs at:

• www.dorianmode.com/

• Dorian’s jazz trio plays every Thursday fortnight at Avoca Pizza pasta café.

• For bookings call: 02 4382 3506

Visit Chef Daniel’s socials:

• chefdaniel.com.au/about-chef/

• www.facebook.com/chefdanielaus

• www.instagram.com/chefdanielaus/

• www.youtube.com/c/chefdaniel

Ingredients:

• One chopped brown onion (not red)