Meet Alex Siegers
The Weatherley Jazz Scholarship was set up thanks to a generous bequest from our late jazz presenter, Ken Weatherley, a passionate jazz lover, long time broadcaster and supporter of young musicians. The scholarship itself is available to a Sydney based jazz musician up to the age of 30, to support their particular project which will significantly enhance the development of their career.
This year we were delighted with 17 excellent applications from young passionate musicians. A panel of three jazz presenters analysed each of the applications, the requested projects and the sound files submitted. Further to this panel, there was an independent auditor evaluating our process and deliberations, and also reading and listening to the submissions. All applications were of an excellent standard, suggesting bright prospects for jazz in Australia in the future. The three most outstanding applicants were then invited to interview, where they further discussed their projects. The independent auditor was again involved, concurring with both the panel’s process and decision.
This year’s winning application came from Alex Siegers. A singer with experience both here and in the USA, she plans to use her Weatherley Scholarship to write and record the vocalese to compositions by noted Australian musician composers and is believed to be the first of its kind in Australia. This project is important for the wider jazz world in that it will boost Australian jazz recognition and presence, will be made easily available for other singers to access and perform, and in the recording process will include other female musicians, particularly percussionists. It is providing music and opportunity for building access to Australian “jazz standards” for the wider jazz community. Overall, this is a very significant project that 2MBS Fine Music Sydney is proud to support.
About Alex
Alex has amassed considerable experience as an educator and performer across jazz, sacred, classical and pop genres with leading ensembles throughout Australia.
In 2017 she graduated from a Bachelor of Music and Arts, majoring in Jazz Performance, Asian Studies and Linguistics at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music. Alex is currently a full-time chorister with the Choir of St. James King Street, and the lead role in Da Vinci’s Apprentice for Musica Viva in Schools.
She also performs with The Song Company, The Choir of St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney Chamber Choir, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, Luminescence Chamber Singers, Cantillation, Vocal Australia Singers, The Australian Voices and The Choir Lab.
Alex has also performed and recorded with contemporary musicians including Felix Riebl, Ollie McGill, Julia Jacklin, Alex The Astronaut, Bobby Fox, Liz Hughes, Goldheist, Jessica O’Donoghue and as a jazz vocalist and looping artist in her own right at events and festivals including Beams Arts Festival; UCSB Amplified 2016, Santa Barbara; Light The Night; Singing At The House; Get Vocal Festival; and All About Women.
When she isn’t singing, Alex is the Music Engagement Assistant in the Music Performance Unit at UNSW.
About her Weatherley Scholarship Project
My vision for this scholarship prize is to champion the Australian jazz standard. Many Australian jazz tunes have never been recorded, have recordings that aren’t commercially available or have only been recorded once by the composer. Working in collaboration with the Australian Jazz Real Book and stalwarts of the Australian jazz scene, I want to create a recording of some great Australian jazz vocal tunes, and vocalese, written by the likes of Kerrie Biddell and Judy Jacques.
Producing a high-quality recording of these tunes, which are available to purchase and stream online is a key step in building a strong core of Australian jazz standards, which can be learned and performed by the next generation of musicians.
Keep up with Alex and her project on Facebook – facebook.com/alexsiegersmusic