Despite growing up in a household brimming with music, Dorian Clennett didn’t start playing guitar until Grade 10. The rest, as the saying goes, is history, thanks, in part, to a scholarship from a passionate music supporter.
Now in his third year of a Bachelor of Music at the University of Tasmania, Dorian is concentrating his efforts on becoming a versatile guitarist, and has already been invited to play at the Clarence Jazz Festival.
“It’s amazing. The scholarship has given me a lot more security — I worry less about finances,” Dorian said.
“I’ve been able to make investments in equipment that have enabled me to get a job as a musician.”
Dorian Clennett
“I can also participate in extracurricular music, including other people’s recitals — it lets me develop my trade as a musician.”
Dorian grew up in a house where he says music was “an ambient aspect of life”. Both his parents were songwriters and performers, along with his two older sisters.
But it was only after Dorian’s father sadly passed away in 2018 that Dorian eventually picked up the guitar. He was encouraged and mentored by musically inclined family friends and the welcoming and supportive music faculty of Kingston High School and Hobart College.
Dorian went on to be awarded the Tasmanian Assessment, Standards and Certification (TASC) achievement award for his Certificate 3 in Music Industry.
“COVID helped in a way because I was in my room, practising over and over,” he said.
At the University, he can be found in the Hedberg practising rooms in Hobart, often into the night.
“I’m there every day, 4-6 days a week until pretty late practising and studying.”
After his bachelor’s degree, Dorian is keen to pursue further study.
“I’ll keep doing music through higher study — honours — or I’ll do a Master’s of Teaching, so that I have that in my back pocket,” he said.
“Ultimately, I’d like to do performance and session work, that’s the long-term goal. But I’d also like to teach.”
He is well on his way with invitations to the Clarence Jazz Festival and a leading guitar role in the Claremont College 2024 production Rock of Ages. He also plays with various local bands and artists, including Ra Bellatrix, This & That, HK & The Rear Admirals and Isabella Mahmoud.
“I try my best to play all sorts of music,” Dorian said. “I strive to be the most versatile musician I can be.”
Likely, it would have been music to the ears of the person who made his scholarship possible. Dawn Albert was a frequent attendant of lunchtime concerts at the conservatorium.
Administrative officer in the School of Creative Arts and Media Mel Kennedy said, “I fondly remember Dawn, who would attend our lunchtime concerts regularly and would always arrive on her bicycle. I understand that she rode quite a way!
“She was also very supportive of our student assessment recitals at the end of each semester, and loved supporting all the students by attending, sometimes staying the best part of the day in the audience. I was truly saddened to hear of her passing.”
Dawn’s legacy goes beyond music, with her gift in Will also supporting a range of medical research at the University’s Menzies Institute for Medical Research.
Director of Menzies Professor Tracey Dickson said the value of donations which are not tied to a particular research area, such as those offered by Dawn’s bequest, are important for ongoing research excellence.
“We are so grateful to all of our donors for their support and passion for our medical research,” Professor Dickson said.
“When we receive funding that isn’t tied to a particular project it means we can put it towards our priority research areas, and work towards our mission of health and better lives for all Tasmanians.”
Leaving a gift in your Will is a powerful and lasting statement of your life, passion and values. Your generosity can make a vital impact for future generations. To find out more or for contact details please visit:
Our Bequest Society recognises donors who have confirmed their intention to leave a bequest to the University of Tasmania in their Will.
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