News
17 June, 2025
Grace finds her voice in the sounds of music
FOR most of her life, Grace Alexandra didn’t speak. Selectively mute since birth, the Caboolture teenager moved quietly through the world—until she picked up a saxophone and discovered the voice that had been waiting inside her all along.
Now 15, Grace is a singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and student leader. She’s written 44 songs, performed 97 gigs in a single year, and will feature on the upcoming First Sounds Vol. 11—a national album showcasing Australia’s leading First Nations artists.
Her mother, Sam, describes the transformation as extraordinary.
“Grace was someone who could have gone through life unnoticed if not for the encouragement of her teachers,” she says. “They saw something in her and gave her space to grow.”
Grace is autistic, and traditional learning environments presented challenges.
But her state school teachers adjusted their approach. When a class was tasked with analysing a film, a teacher offered Grace the option of analysing a song instead—an act of understanding that helped keep her engaged.
With support from instrumental music teacher Janelle Moore, Grace first sang in public at her school’s carols event in 2020. Her teacher gave up breaks to rehearse with her, helping manage her anxiety. She performed Fix Me Up from Clouds—a symbolic beginning to what would become a promising music career.
Since then, Grace has developed her skills on the guitar, piano and drums. In 2022, she braved an open mic event at a local youth gig and began writing her own songs.
Her work blends acoustic folk, country, retro soul and hip hop. Her lyrics explore relationships, self-discovery, and joy in life’s simple things. This year, her song Home—about the desire to escape a difficult relationship—will appear on First Sounds Vol. 11, promoted nationally through community radio with support from Music Australia and Creative Australia.
A proud First Nations student, Grace’s cultural heritage plays a central role in her work.
At Caboolture State High School, she collaborates with Gubbi Gubbi Traditional Owner and language teacher Aunty Stacey Serico-Blair, who has taught her to sing the national anthem and Happy Birthday in language. Grace’s song My Country, written for a school assessment, reflects on her Indigenous roots.
In March, Grace was the only child—and only Queenslander—invited to a songwriting workshop for First Nations people at Kameygal Music Studio in Sydney.
There, she worked alongside student producers and songwriters to embed Indigenous perspectives into the arts curriculum.
Grace’s achievements haven’t gone unnoticed. She was a finalist in the under-18 category at both the 2024 Gympie Muster and the Bluesfest Busking Competition, and may return to perform at both events this year.
Despite her hectic performance schedule, Grace continues to pass every subject at school. She was a Junior School Captain in 2024 and mentors classmates interested in performing.
“She is always polite, grateful for support, and willing to share her learnings with others,” Sam said.
At school, Grace is part of a new Music Enrichment Program that links students with industry professionals and performance opportunities. Acting Head of Arts Zoe Donaghey says Grace is a “key member” of the school’s music community. “Her dedication and enthusiasm are truly remarkable,” she said.
Next year, Grace plans to study business and justice to prepare for the professional demands of the music industry.
