Meet Elizabeth Sheppard, ANU School of Music first-year Master of Performance student. Elizabeth is a 2020 recipient of the Indigenous Music HDR Scholarship, awarded annually to an Indigenous Australian student who is enrolled in an HDR program in the School of Music.

How did you feel when you heard the news?

When I heard of my selection for the 2020 ANU Indigenous Music Scholarship, I called my sister Anne in Binningup WA, where she’s self-isolating and teaching violin online, and we celebrated on Skype together. We’re both mature musicians, who’ve struggled all our lives to create and teach authentically Australian music, with little support. Jumping in to cyberspace at our advanced age is still terrifying, but now, with ANU’s help, we’re doing it together! Thanks ANU!

How will your scholarship assist you/what will you use it for?

The scholarship will enable me to expand the scope of my Indigenous composition research, benefit my communities and connect them with ANU School of Music, and develop Ngarra-Burria music with Indigenous and other colleagues at ANU School of Music.

What has being awarded the scholarship meant for you and your studies?

This award is not just for me, it’s an affirmation of the value of Dr. Chris Sainsbury’s Ngarra-Burria Composers Program, that introduced five Australian Indigenous composers to ANU in 2017, established a niche traditional / contemporary Indigenous genre within and outside academia, and is ongoing.

What role has the School and its donors played in being considered for scholarships?

The ANU School of Music and its donors have supported the Ngarra-Burria Program strongly from its outset, and overseen the intensive training that all Ngarra-Burria composers complete. And since what we do in music is based in our communities, our community networks are also considered. My Indigenous community participation strengthens the outreach and online identity of ANU School of Music.

Anything else you would like to add

Warm thanks to ANU and the 2020 ANUIMS Donors!