13 year old Anastacia Dawes from Challis Primary School in Armadale, featured in the recent ABC docu-series ‘Don’t Stop the Music’ has been invited to perform her song ‘Catastrophe’ with Perth Symphony Orchestra.

The 55piece orchestra, conducted by Jessica Gethin will perform at the Tianqi Lithium Symphony Spectacular concert on Saturday December 1 at Calista Oval in Kwinana.

This concert follows the hugely successful Act-Belong-Commit Rock Symphony in 2017, which drew a crowd of almost 5000 people from the City of Kwinana and surrounding areas.

Anastacia caught the ear of Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) Senior Lecturer Micheál McCarthy when she was singing by herself outside the ‘karaoke room’ set up by Challis Primary School music teacher Simon Blanchard. It soon became clear that Anastacia had a dream to one day study voice at WAAPA.

Micheál recalled how

“[his] heart sank, as [he] figured she might not get the chance unless she went to a high school where she could study music”.

Micheál took it upon himself to secure the talented student auditions to high schools with established music programs, and as a result, Anastacia was able to secure herself a position at Kelmsott High School– taking her one step closer to her dream of studying at WAAPA.

Anastacia’s song “Catastophe”, which is featured heavily in the docu-series was transcribed and harmonized by Micheál McCarthy and is being orchestrated Corey Murphy and Callum O’Reilly – both students of Micheál at WAAPA. Also accompanying her on the night will be music teacher Simon Blanchard on guitar.

Perth Symphony Founder and CEO Bourby Webster said of the project,

“Perth Symphony is passionate about giving Western Australian musicians and those who love music a chance to shine. We cannot wait for our musicians to have the opportunity to perform with such gorgeous young talent as Anastacia,”

“Inspiring young musicians and instilling a love of music in all kids from a young age is incredibly important to Perth Symphony”.