Briana Dinsdale Awarded Keith Urban Scholarship

Emerging country artist, Briana Dinsdale has been awarded the Keith Urban Scholarship – which will cover her CMAA Academy of Country Music attendance fee in January 2022.

The 10-day residential skills and career-development program has helped launch the careers of Sara Storer, The McClymonts, Travis Collins, Amber Lawrence and The Sunny Cowgirls to name just a few of the 500-plus artists who have graduated since the Academy was established in 1997.

Dinsdale is only the second recipient of this prestigious scholarship.

She says, “I honestly just bawled my eyes out right then and there when I found out I’d been given the scholarship. I was shaking, I was so overwhelmed with excitement and it was the realisation that dreams do come true. I’ve learned patience and that, if something is worth the wait, you will get there eventually, and good things will come from it.”

The Academy tutors this year are Golden Guitar winners Ashleigh Dallas, Kevin Bennett and Lachlan Bryan, led by director Lyn Bowtell and general manager Roger Corbett. Students will be treated to star spots with Andrew Farriss, The Buckleys, and Kasey Chambers in person, as well as Troy Cassar-Daley and Academy graduate Jem Cassar-Daley chatting with the students via Zoom.

Dinsdale adds, “I have really wanted to work with some of the tutors for years as I have looked up to them, and I’ve wanted to meet a lot of friends and have the whole academy experience. I want to learn the tips and tricks of the industry and songwriting is my favourite thing, so being able to write with a bunch of people will be incredible.”

The Year 12 student, who describes herself as “the biggest Keith Urban fan”, shared the exciting news on her social media, including a photo of her at 13-years-old with the country music star.

She captioned, “So the news is out!!! I am so beyond excited and grateful to announce that I have been awarded the Keith Urban Scholarship to The CMAA Academy Of Country Music in January. Little did this 13-year-old Keith fan know that in 5 years’ time she would be attending The CMAA Academy Of Country Music all thanks to the scholarship. Thank you so much to everyone involved for making dreams come true.”

Over her 10 years of singing and songwriting, Dinsdale has gained experience playing on stages as large as the Gympie Music Muster main stage and stages in and among the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Now, with her newly established 5-piece band, Dinsdale is gaining many life-changing experiences including being able to play at Village Fest, Logan Eats and Beats in Brisbane.

The 17-year-old released her debut album, Beginnings in June 2021, featuring her singles Ball and Chain and Why Did I Fall For You? Since its release, the album has been streamed and received airplay in more than 15 countries.

The Academy runs in Tamworth from January 4-14, 2022. Click here for more information.

Keep up to date with everything Briana Dinsdale and follow her on Facebook here.

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Image: via Facebook