Lachlan is one of four City of Melville residents last week presented with a Variety Scholarship to help him pursue his dream of taking New York’s jazz scene by storm.
Lachlan took up jazz in Year 5, starting with the trumpet, and was soon taking to the streets of Fremantle to perform.
“I started busking and used the money I made to buy my first alto saxophone,” he said.
Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE
Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.
READ NOW“It’s a lot of fun and a good way to practise – it’s performance practice rather than just doing scales.”
The CBC Fremantle student, who has dyslexia, will finish his traditional schooling this year after gaining early entry to the James Morrison Academy of Music in South Australia beginning 2017.
“I actually performed with James and WASO in December,” Lachlan said.
“A few years ago I used to play with a guy named Paul Andrews who videotaped us playing and sent it over to James.
“Then I met him at a gig he was playing here in Perth and from there he asked me to play saxophone with him.”
Bicton brother and sister Marc and Jaye Barnesby-Buie both received sports scholarships that will enable them to continue honing their skills on the links as they work towards establishing themselves as professional golfers.
Emerging tennis talent Zinica Theodore Martin, from Booragoon, also earned a sports scholarship and hopes to earn a place in Applecross Senior High School’s specialist tennis program.
Since 1996, over 280 Variety Scholarships have been awarded for endeavours as wide-ranging as ballet, singing, dancing, drama, language, basketball and athletics.
The scholarships help young people with illness, disability or disadvantage to overcome adversity and explore their potential. Applications open later this year.