Cinnamon McGregor, 20, is one of many young people in the Illawarra who now have access to a new sound recording studio at Southern Youth and Family Services.
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After checking it out at Friday's opening, Ms McGregor was looking forward to using the purpose-built facility as part of a songwriting program she is doing with Northern Territory Indigenous musicians Shellie Morris and Jungaji Brady.
The program workshops help develop skills in song craft, performance and recording.
Read more: Musician's journey to inspire youth
"That will be how I will use it," Ms McGregor said.
"I am singing at the moment with Shellie Morris. But I also play the piano and I will also use it for that."
Ms McGregor is expecting to record a new song she has been working on this week. She described the studio as impressive.
'It is fantastic. They've done an amazing job. There are a lot of singers in SYFS. So it will be very well used."
Ms McGregor is an apprentice chef with her own business called Mingle Meals.
"As a private chef I work at people's homes. I would eventually like to work in a restaurant."
SYFS is a not-for-profit youth and family services organisation. Chief executive Narelle Clay said the recording studio was located at the new community facility in Warilla.
Ms Clay said it would allow young people to capture their stories through podcasts, express themselves through songwriting workshops, and learn skills in audio engineering that would prepare them for future careers in creative industries.
The project was assisted by a $204,184 NSW government grant through the Department of Regional NSW and was officially opened by Families, Communities and Disability Services Minister Gareth Ward.
Project officer Craig Lyons said it was great to be able to offer a new resource to Illawarra youth.
"With the ongoing success of local musicians like Aodhan from Albion Park, and Hockey Dad from Windang, as well as festivals like Yours and Owls, we'd like to help the next generation of Illawarra musicians get their start."
The new community facility includes a 300-person auditorium and commercial kitchen and officially opens at the annual awards night in April.
SYFS operates 50 programs for young people such as crisis accommodation, medium and long-term housing, health services, employment education and training services, family services, and out of home care.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
