Grace's journey from silence to musical stage

Reproduced with permission from Queensland Department of Education

For most of her life, Grace Alexandra lived in silence. But that changed the day the Caboolture student picked up a saxophone and found her voice in music.

Selectively mute since birth Grace, once silent and overlooked by peers, is now a student leader on the verge of a music career.

The 15-year-old has pushed through communication challenges of autism and made huge progress thanks Caboolture State High School teachers and staff.

“Her teachers saw something in her - a quiet determination, a love for music,” mum Sam says of her daughter who also plays guitar, piano and drums.

“They adjusted lessons, found creative ways to engage her and gave her the space to grow into the musician she is today.”

Grace was recently the only child and Queenslander invited to a songwriting workshop for First Nations people at Kameygal Music Studio in Sydney.

With two accompanying high school teachers, they learned skills to help high school staff embed Indigenous Perspectives into the Arts curriculum, by working with First Nations student producers and songwriters.

Musical excellence

Caboolture SHS works with Aunty Stacey Serico-Blair, a Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owner and Language teacher, giving students opportunities to sing in traditional language at school and (with permission) external events.

“Aunty Stacey taught Grace to sing the National Anthem and Happy Birthday in language and is now working with her on a songwriting project,” Sam says.

“Last year a class assessment was on writing a song about Australia. Grace wrote a song called My Country reflecting on her First Nations heritage.”

Caboolture State School instrumental music teacher Janelle Moore was among the first to see Grace's interest in music: “It was more than an extra activity, it was a true passion,” she says.

“What began as a new experience quickly evolved into a deep commitment to musical excellence.”

Janelle’s belief in Grace's talent led in her singing in public for the first time at the school’s 2020 carols. She chose Fix Me Up, from the Disney Movie Cloud.

“Her anxiety at the time was so extreme her teacher gave up his breaks to help her practice in a way that made her feel safe and supported,” Sam says.

In 2022, Grace first performed in an open mic event and from solo performing started writing songs in her Year 7 music extension. She now has 44 to her credit - five publicly released.

“I would describe her musical songwriting style as stripped-back acoustic folk and country tunes with a splash of retro soul and hip-hop,” Sam says.

“Her themes include relationships, self-discovery and the need to explore simple things that create joy.”

Grace performed 97 gigs in 2024, including at local markets and community events and still passed every school subject.

“When most of the class was analysing a movie, a teacher suggested Grace could analyse a song because the teacher understood that music is what Grace relates to,” Sam says.

“Music is her language - it makes her smile and express herself. Because of the support she receives at school and her hard work, Grace is now a singer-songwriter-multi-instrumentalist.”

She is a finalist in the under-18 section of the 2025 Bluesfest, was a finalist at the 2024 Gympie Muster and may perform at this year's event.

This year Grace's music will also feature on a national album - First Sounds Vol 11 with some of Australia's leading First Nations Musicians.

Her song Home is about feeling stuck in a relationship, a fantasy where all you want to do is know the ending and go home.

Sharing  her skills

The 2024 Junior School Captain hopes to study a Certificate III in business and Certificate II in justice next year to lay the foundations for a career in music.

“Grace is happy to share her new skills as they develop and has guided many students who would like to have a go at singing/performing but don’t know how to start,” Sam says.

“Our family knew nothing about music, and we give full credit to the people who made it possible - her teachers, supportive music community organisations and of course Grace.

“Grace could have gone through life unnoticed if not for the encouragement of her teachers, the school leadership team and their holistic approach to education - embedding the arts into the curriculum.”

Acting Head of Department - the arts, Zoe Donaghey said: “Grace is a key member of our music community at Caboolture State High School, inspiring many students.

“In response to growing student interest in music and the industry, our school launched an extracurricular Music Enrichment Program, offering students opportunities to collaborate with industry professionals and perform regularly in the local community.

“This term, we’re excited to be hosting Nat Dunn, an award-winning singer/songwriter and former CSHS student, whose songwriting credits include Anne-Marie and Marshmello's FRIENDS, Kygo and Rita Ora's Carry On, and Blackpink's Born Pink."