Adelaide Cabaret Festival Announces Nathaniel O'Brien Class of Cabaret Scholarship

Adelaide Festival Centre's Adelaide Cabaret Festival is proud to announce the Nathaniel O'Brien Class of Cabaret Scholarship, named after Nathaniel O'Brien, a Class of Cabaret participant in 2013 and Class of Cabaret Grads in 2014, who died tragically in 2015. The scholarship aims to honour Nathaniel while providing development opportunities for young singers from regional South Australia.

The Nathaniel O'Brien Class of Cabaret Scholarship will give two students the opportunity to perform at the 2016 Adelaide Cabaret Festival Roadshow in their home region as well as receiving express entry into the 2017 Adelaide Cabaret Festival Class of Cabaret program. Each scholarship, which is open to students in year 10 and 11, is valued at $5,000, which includes travel and accommodation assistance as well as private vocal tuition from one of Adelaide's leading vocal teachers.

Every year the Adelaide Cabaret Festival Roadshow brings Adelaide Cabaret Festival favourites to regional South Australia, with the Roadshow visiting Mount Gambier and Renmark in 2016. One talented applicant will be selected from each of the Limestone Coast and Murraylands/Riverland regions. In future years the scholarship will follow the annual Adelaide Cabaret Festival Roadshow to different South Australian regional centres, giving this amazing opportunity to students.

Nathaniel O'Brien passed away in late 2015 as a result of a car accident north of Adelaide whilst on his way to perform at a gig. A truly exceptional and determined individual, Nathaniel began his musical career at just seven years old, winning "Pop Idol" and taking part in the Balaklava Eisteddfod. Over the next 12 years Nathaniel won awards at numerous state and national musical competitions and festivals, and performed on multiple television programs including "Australia's Got Talent", "The X Factor" and New Zealand's "Miss Popularity". Music was a huge part of Nathaniel's life, he enjoyed a range of genres and aside from singing, was a talented and award winning songwriter and instrumentalist playing; guitar, mandolin, keyboard, bassoon, stomp box and ukulele.

In 2013 Nathaniel performed as part of Adelaide Cabaret Festival's Class of Cabaret, a program where young talented vocalists are given the unique opportunity to shine at the world's premier Cabaret Festival. Each year the best and brightest performing arts students from South Australian high schools come together after months of cabaret masterclasses to share songs and personal stories in performances of raw spiring and awe inspiring talent. Nathaniel returned to the Adelaide Cabaret Festival stage as a part of Class of Cabaret Grads in 2014.

Danny and Karen O'Brien, parents of Nathaniel said "Nathaniel would be proud to have this scholarship named after him knowing it will help fellow rural students to receive the opportunities that he experienced by attending and performing in the 'Class of Cabaret'".

Douglas Gautier, Adelaide Festival Centre CEO & Artistic Director said "We were immensely saddened to hear of Nathaniel's passing and offer our condolences to his family and friends. To lose such a dedicated and passionate soul at such a young age is a true tragedy. With this scholarship we honour Nathaniel by giving other young singers from rural South Australia opportunities in the arts and a chance to follow in his footsteps by participating in Adelaide Cabaret Festival."

Applications for the 2016 Nathaniel O'Brien Class of Cabaret Scholarship close Friday 8 April. For further information on the Nathaniel O'Brien Class of Cabaret Scholarship and Adelaide Cabaret Festival including the Roadshow and Class of Cabaret is available at www.adelaidecabaretfestival.com.au.