Dreams do come true - just ask Hayden Burge.
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Although the 16-year-old didn't expect it would happen while he was still a student performer.
Nevertheless come Friday the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts year 11 student will become the first student performer to conduct the Southern Stars orchestra.
And Hayden will take over the gig from long-time musical director Peter Copeland.
When Hayden first started his Southern Stars adventure back in year 5, he set himself a goal of one-day taking over Copeland's job as orchestra conductor.
"I didn't expect that day to come though while I was still a student. But I'm very excited," Hayden said.
"i was surprised when Peter [Copeland] asked me to do it. I was expecting to just play whatever instruments they wanted me to but they threw this upon me and I couldn't be happier.
"There is 1000 people in the choir and and a big 80-piece orchestra, it will be awesome."
Mr Copeland, who has been in every Southern Stars show since the first in 2001, said he was happy to pass on the baton to the "extremely talented multi-instrumentalist".
"When the opportunity came up for me to accompany one of our students in a song, it meant I'd be out of the orchestra for a segment and would need to find a replacement. I had no hesitation in choosing Hayden," he said.
"He has shown the most interest and also the most versatility out of most of the kids we've had in the last almost 10 years.
""I hope he has a great time and this is the start of many wonderful things for him as a musician and as a leader as well.
"It will be really great to see him go on."
About 12,000 patrons are expected to attend one of four COME ALIVE shows taking place at the WIN Entertainment Centre on August 23-24.
Tickets are on sale for Southern Stars 2019 COME ALIVE from Ticketmaster outlets and online here.
Agron Latifi
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
Wollongong born and bred. I love reporting about the Illawarra region and have been doing it for more than 20 years. I've moved into sport recently after covering the education round for the last five plus years for the Illawarra Mercury. It's been a great pleasure.
