The Australian Festival of Chamber Music has announced the winner of the 2024 Theodore Kuchar Scholarship for Excellence in Music.

Sixteen-year-old multi-instrumentalist Gabrielle Penaluna has been awarded $4,000, to be put towards instrument tuition and professional development.

Townsville-Gurambilbarra musician Gabrielle Penaluna. Photo supplied

Penaluna is a clarinettist, pianist and saxophonist who began learning bass guitar this year. She has been awarded the Outstanding Service to Music award for seven consecutive years at The Cathedral School, where she also holds a Music Scholarship. She has also been awarded its Young Virtuoso Award, and the Maestro Award in 2020 (Junior) and 2023 (Middle School).

The Scholarship will allow Penaluna to participate in the Pacific Honours Ensemble Program and the Australian Youth Orchestra Program and take part in Eisteddfods, competitions, masterclasses and workshops.

“The Scholarship means I can further enhance opportunities to study music at a tertiary level – I really want to study music at Griffith Conservatorium when I finish high school, and I’d love to bring knowledge and experience back to North Queensland with the aim of further developing music education in Townsville,” said Penaluna.

The Theodore Kuchar Scholarship awards a year 10 student with...