The Sony Foundation Australia Music Scholarship is awarded to students selected to be part of the Talent Development Project (TDP), Australia’s most successful and respected entertainment industry training program, for senior public school students.

Students undergo an intensive year-long training program. Leading identities from the Australian music industry collaborate with TDP Artistic and Curriculum Director Mary Lopez AM, utilising their experiences to help young performers develop the skills they need to break into show business.

The year-long series of monthly master class workshops, at Sydney Entertainment Centre, have fostered an amazing honour roll of talent, with many TDP graduates going on to become ARIA Award and Golden Guitar winners, gaining leading roles in Australian musical theatre or becoming chart topping recording artists. Previous winners include John Foreman, Human Nature, Angus and Julia Stone.

Adding to this impressive list are 2009 TDP graduates Makaylie Foodey, Ricky Bloomfield, Nicholas Gentile, Emily Edmonds, Alex Gibson-Giorgio, David Leaupepe, Meriana Gyory, The Lincolns and Shane McGrath.

Sony Foundation supporters were treated to a rare glimpse of the talent, Artistic Director Mary Lopez fosters in her unique program, when 15 year old Angel Tupai gave a stellar performance well beyond her years at Sony Foundation’s Fire & Flood Benefit in March.

Mary first discovered Angel in 2006 at 13 years old whilst auditioning for the Schools Spectacular. Currently in year 11 at Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, Angel has been a student of the TDP ever since and has performed as a featured artist in the Schools Spectacular for the last two years. Despite being one of the youngest in the TDP program, Angel’s extraordinary voice has seen her hailed as one of the program’s most popular artists, leading to invitations to sing at several high profile events including the Steve Waugh Foundation dinner, Sydney Youth Olympics and the 2009 Australia Day lunch to mention but a few.

Due to graduate from the TDP program in 2010, Angel has become a great role model in her school and local community, directing the choirs and ensembles at both her school and church.