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The University of Sydney鈥檚 annual Alumni Awards celebrate graduates who have achieved excellence in their respective fields.聽For the founder and Artistic Director聽of聽the聽not-for-profit聽聽young people鈥檚 choir, Michelle Leonard (BMusEd 鈥�93), excellence is giving children a meaningful opportunity that, as a child, she herself took for granted: the opportunity to make music.

鈥淲hen I was growing up in Coonamble, lots of towns had a marching band and did musicals every year. That鈥檚 all gone now,鈥� she says. 鈥淣ow kids just watch other people making music on YouTube.鈥�

In March this year, Michelle spent three weeks on the road delivering skills development workshops to 3861 children in 77 schools. The children learned to read and make music, observed by parents, teachers, community members and Aboriginal elders in support of increasing the children鈥檚 music literacy.

For the past 20 years Michelle has also run the聽, a community choir located in Sydney鈥檚 inner west. Through the generosity of the choristers themselves, 20 new works have been commissioned to revisit Handel鈥檚聽Messiah, and reframe this most famous choral work using a contemporary perspective.

Michelle鈥檚 dedication stretches back to her time at 鈥╰he Conservatorium of Music, when expectations were high and resources stretched thinly.

鈥淭he Conservatorium significantly shaped me. My lecturers told us that we were the people who would make changes to our society and its artistic vibrancy 鈥� whether we were ready to or not.鈥�

Michelle鈥檚 projects have transformed the lives of young and older people all over New South Wales. And her mission continues. 鈥淲e have something that we know works now, and it鈥檚 worth sharing.鈥�

Michelle Leonard will be recognised for her achievements at a ceremony in the Great Hall on 10 May, alongside five other award winners.

Find out more about the聽.