Artist bio
Ella Grace is a singer, songwriter, pianist, trumpist and composer. She has completed, in collaboration with Arlea Whelan, an experimental album titled ‘Sand Dunes’ where she explores unconventional musical stylings alongside poetry. Currently, Ella is writing an Australian musical with Arlea delving into creating a distinct Australian musical theatre voice.
Program notes
Ambitiously, I decided to develop my musical, ‘Waiting For Rain’, for my major project and have recorded three critical songs alongside my phenomenal band Emily, Annie, Ethan, Noah and Daniel. My Australian musical discusses themes of drought, mental health, dreams and crucial relationships. ‘Peak’ is the musicals opening number, introducing the audience to the characters, their agendas, the setting and the problems. ‘Traffic Light Red’ is between mother and child discussing the struggles of living with the mental health disorder BPD, caring for someone with it and how communication and love can bring light to dark situations. ‘Downpour’ is primarily between two sisters yet filters in comments of other characters at that moment in time creating a more integrated track. This musical is inclusive of Australia’s historic and present day land and peoples and acknowledges the land on which it was written and is performed.