Dreams do come true according to ASPIRE Festival Director Yvonne Carr who, having held music director positions for nearly 30 years, has always dreamt of setting up and running her very own festival for high school aged students; a music festival with a difference.

With support from entrepreneur Jamie Wansey, Founding Director of Student Horizons, a business that specialises in organising school music, education and sports tours, Yvonne set about using her supportive network to ensure her vision quickly became a reality.

Hats off to Mr Wansey, who then stepped back and gave full reigns to Yvonne, allowing her to set her experience in motion with ease and see the concept through to become reality. With a 30-year career in teaching, Yvonne has worked as a music advisory teacher for Education Queensland and was involved in Fanfare and MOST Festivals before moving into the private GPS sector. Having also held music directorship positions in well-known GPS schools for the best part of 20 years, there’s absolutely no doubt as to why Jamie felt the festival was in great hands.

Yvonne was honoured when Mr John Curro AM MBE accepted her invitation to become Patron for ASPIRE. Mr Curro has an exceptional history in orchestral music. He is the founder and director of Music for Queensland Youth Orchestras (QYO) and has been conductor for Queensland Youth Symphony since its inception in 1966. A Member of the Order of Australia and Member of the British Empire, Mr Curro has received numerous prestigious awards including Queensland Premier’s Millenium Award for Excellence in the Arts and the Orchestras Australia Lifetime Achievement award.

“I was delighted when Mr Curro accepted my invitation as Patron to the ASPIRE International Youth Music Festival. Mr Curro truly believes in the ASPIRE concept and places real emphasis on furthering the love and skill of orchestral music, which is exactly what ASPIRE is all about.”

With 90 years’ experience working with music students between them, it’s easy to see why the festival has taken shape so quickly. Mr Curro explains why he was inspired to become Patron for ASPIRE International Youth Music Festival.

“Having spent the best part of 60 years working with music students at all levels, I welcome the creation of ASPIRE, dedicated to furthering the love and skills of great orchestral music in school children,” says Mr Curro.

Like Yvonne, Mr Curro also highly values the social aspect of the event, sharing the joy of music with like-minded peers and the opportunity to be positively adjudicated. In his words, he wishes ‘this important venture great success’ and shares his insight on the benefits for students participating in ASPIRE.

“I have seen the effects of this activity on young musicians over many years, as a fabulous discipline which develops the ideals of teamwork, sacrifice and concern for the common good, as a valuable socialising tool and a stimulus for those who might consider pursuing a career in music.”