Trio to sing with Carols’ guest of honour

WHEN Santa arrives at Ballarat Carols by Candlelight presented by Harcourts on Sunday, 22 December, he’ll be guided in with some musical help from fresh faces.

Three young singers, Dana Reynolds, Freya McGowan and Layne Frawley will perform children’s favourites together as Father Christmas lands at the City Oval.

All rising, passionate musical theatre stars, they’ve all performed across Ballarat and Melbourne, with Dana even treading the boards up north in Newcastle, and as far as Los Angeles.

Ballarat Centre of Music and the Arts teacher Paula Heenan guides Freya and Dana, while Layne is under the tuition of Carolyn Bennett.

Ms Heenan said it was an honour for her students to be asked to perform at the Carols, having been heard at other events throughout the year.

“These are an example of kids that say yes to everything that pops up for them,” she said.

“They’ve both been involved with lots of high-profile events before, so they’re very confident and have represented us at the basketball stadium singing the national anthem, but this is a very exiting new venture for them.

“They’ve certainly enjoyed rehearsing with Layne and with the others involved in the program, and they’ll both be singing with the BCMA Vocal Ensemble in the mass choir as well.”

Mainly ushering the “big fellow in the red suit” around the stage, Dana, Freya and Layne will get the children attending the Carols involved in some very simple, well known songs.

“They’ll be leading everybody in the audience along in song, so hopefully the crowd will all sing along with them.

“I’m very proud of them and grateful for the opportunity. It’s very nice to be invited,” she said.

Providing chances like this for local young talent to shine is “absolutely important” to Ms Heenan.

“We find opportunities all the time for our kids to do productions and performances outside of what we offer. We’ve had kids performing all over Australia this year, just jumping into every opportunity.”

Ballarat Carols by Candlelight is set for City Oval on Sunday, 22 December from 4pm.