Scholarship is music to Cezar's ears

With more time on his hands, the Varsity Lakes local decided to enrol into the Diploma of Music Industry (Sound Production) (CUA50815) at TAFE Queensland’s Coomera campus to learn new industry trends and techniques.

“I simply love music, I will always be a musician and for me there is no such thing as retirement, quitting or finding a new career - I will be playing until my last day,” said Cezar.

“Song writing methods, production techniques, recording equipment and the overall sound of today’s music has changed dramatically, so I wanted to learn the new skills and modern technologies offered at TAFE Queensland,” he continued.

“It had been quite some time since I had studied as I was so busy with my career, and slowly over time I lost sight of what was happening in the music industry.”

The father-of-two applied for a TAFE Queensland Scholarship to help finance his studies, and to his surprise he was awarded a merit scholarship of $5,000.

“I was extremely humbled and excited to hear the news about receiving the scholarship, not just because of the financial help, but also the fact that I was simply chosen - it felt like I was being recognised for my hard work,” said Cezar.

“The scholarship has given me the financial freedom to focus on my studies and gain new skills in sound engineering and music production, which is priceless to me.”

Now with graduation only a few months away, Cezar said he’s acquired many new valuable skills and more importantly the course has enhanced his job opportunities in the industry.

“From my first day on campus I felt that I was taken seriously and treated individually based on my needs and my previous knowledge and experience,” he said.

“Studying at TAFE Queensland has opened so many doors with the teachers connecting me with industry professionals and I now have new career paths to pursue by being skilled to offer studio recording and mixing services as well as live sound engineering.”

Cezar’s career as a musician has been gratifying with performances at world-class venues, but he still hasn’t reached a lifetime goal to have a number one hit on the radio.

“With my new mixing and producing skills from TAFE Queensland I have achieved the dream of recording a song I co-wrote many years ago called ‘Only I’ which is available on Spotify and Apple Music - now the goal is to get it to number one on the radio!”

To anyone who is thinking about applying for a TAFE Queensland scholarship, Cezar said he highly recommends to everyone to apply, no matter how old you are or what circumstances you’re in.

“It is a very easy step-by-step process of answering some questions about you, your study and you career goals. To be chosen and granted a scholarship is a great honour which will give you a lot of satisfaction and joy,” he finished.

The TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program first launched in 2015 and has since awarded over $1.8million; helping more than 390 Queenslanders pursue their careers goals.

This year there are more than 100 scholarships are on offer with recipients awarded up to $5,000 to study any TAFE Queensland qualification from any study area in 2022, from a certificate III through to an advanced diploma or bachelor degree.

RACQ and CPL have also partnered with the TAFE Queensland Scholarship Program, with RACQ’s funding to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People who wish to study in the Townsville region, and CPL providing funding for scholarships under the access and equity category for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with a disability.

Applications for a TAFE Queensland scholarship to commence study in semester one 2022 are now open and will close on 24 September 2021. For more information visit scholarships.tafeqld.edu.au.