TALENTED young Mount Gambier musician Ellyana Sims has set the bar high, launching her first EP at the age of 15.
A highly skilled vocalist who also plays guitar and keyboard, Ellyana is the first graduate of a unique pilot music program being offered at Tenison Woods College.
The budding star describes her four track EP – fittingly titled My Own Race – as a dream come true.
“The release of my EP has been a long process with hours of work from my amazing team and it would not have been possible without the round the clock support of my mentors, singing teachers, family and friends who have made this a reality – I cannot thank them enough,” she said.
“I am also incredibly grateful to Tenison Woods College for letting me trial an amazing program that will help so many students like me have an opportunity to pursue a music career.”
My Own Race features original songs penned by the talented teenager, with musical accompaniment from five fellow Tenison students.
“Our school has given us the opportunity to work with highly regarded industry professionals to write, compose and produce our own music and take that next big step into the recording studio,” Ellyana said.
A Year 10 student, Ellyana is also a teacher, soloist and choir member at the Mount Gambier-based Phoenix Music Studio.
She describes her current style as pop country and rates American singer songwriter Taylor Swift as a major artistic influence.
Regular performances at local charity and sporting events including the Western Border Soccer Grand Final, the Mount Gambier Harness Racing Gold Cup and the Western Border Football Grand Final have further boosted Ellyana’s growing public profile, with her strong stage presence attracting widespread applause.
“I know I’m lucky that I have been given those opportunities and have been supported by my local community and I also want to demonstrate my strong commitment to giving back to the community,” she said.
Launching to a sell-out crowd at Mount Gambier City Hall, Ellyana plans to donate money raised from the night to the Leukaemia Foundation as a tribute to her aunt Melena Roughana.
A mother of two children under the age of three, Melena has been undergoing lengthy treatment in Adelaide for non-hodgkin’s lymphoma.
She is also a talented vocalist and can be credited for Ellyana’s start in the industry.
“My Aunty Melena took me to my first singing lesson when I was six years old and continues to be my inspiration,” Ellyana said.
“When she first had to go to Adelaide, she was able to use the accommodation and support provided by the Leukaemia Foundation at the Bridgestone complex and it would be wonderful to show our gratitude for their exceptional care of country patients in the form of a generous donation.”
