BEGA High School student Tremaine Cotter is hoping to sing his way to a Sydney stage this December - if he receives enough votes in an online competition run by the Australian Indigenous Mentoring Experience (AIME).
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The Year 9 student is a finalist in AIME’s Got Game, which showcases a generation of talented Indigenous youth who want to send a message to Australia that is filled with hope, positivity and success.
The 45 final acts were selected from over 1500 students who completed the AIME’s Got Game workshops as part of the AIME program, which supports Indigenous students to finish high school and transition to university, employment and further education at the same rate as all Australian students.
Tremaine’s performance of Maroon 5’s She Will Be Loved has already landed him among the top 45 acts in AIME’s Got Game.
If Tremaine receives enough votes to reach the top 10, he will be flown to Sydney in December to work with industry mentors, perform for huge crowds and record the official AIME Anthem for 2014.
“AIME is awesome,” Tremaine said, noting “inspiration and knowledge” are the main benefits he is getting from the program, which has regular sessions at the University of Wollongong Bega campus.
The all-expenses-paid trip to Sydney for the AIME’s Got Game top 10 would be the start of something special for Tremaine who said he would love to continue with his singing.
Stephen Mitchell, AIME program manager at the University of Wollongong, said for many students, AIME’s Got Game was the first time they had performed in front of an audience.
“The AIME’s Got Game session is one where you see students really jump out of their comfort zone,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The cool thing is that they smashed all my expectations.
“To see 15-year-old students not only complete the activity, but master it, was thrilling.
“Barriers were smashed, students’ self-esteem increased and self-doubt was eradicated.
“The highlight of the session was seeing those students who supposedly didn't have a talent perform.
“It just shows that with some encouragement and support, anything is possible.
“This is the first year that Tremaine has been a part of the program.
He is a strong young leader of the future and will be successful at whatever he puts his mind to.
“I was unaware of his talent until he performed at AIME’s Got Game.
“I was absolutely gobsmacked!
“I was even more shocked to hear that he has never had a singing lesson.
“Just imagine what is possible if this guy had some coaching and practice under his belt.
“If he makes the top 10 finalists, I truly believe that Tremaine will bring his experience in Sydney back to his school and local community to share all he learns.”
Voting in AIME’s Got Game is open now and closes on Friday, November 7.
To hear Tremaine’s entry and vote, click here.
To see the rest of the AIME’s Got Game top 45, visit www.aimesgotgame.com.