Butterfly FX with local music legend, mentor and lecturer Dave Rastrick.
A fantastic night of live music, outstanding student talent and community support marked the culmination of the 2026 WAAPA Diploma of Music program in Albany.
The King River Tavern was the place to be on 21 October 2026, as students from the Albany WAAPA Diploma of Music program took to the stage for a memorable end-of-year performance as their band, Butterfly FX.
Five Diploma students showcased the musical skills, creativity and confidence they have developed throughout the year, delivering an impressive performance that delighted a good crowd of supporters and music lovers.
The evening was a wonderful celebration of their hard work, featuring outstanding musicianship, vocals, original songwriting and an exciting range of musical instruments. The students demonstrated not only their individual talents but also their ability to come together as a band and deliver a polished, engaging live performance.
Joining the students for the occasion were their local music lecturers, Dave Rastrick and Julie Anwar, along with former Great Southern University Centre (GSUC) Director and former WAAPA staff member Mike Eastman, and GSUC's Jane Mouritz.
It was particularly pleasing to see the pride shared by Mike Eastman and lecturer Dave Rastrick as they watched the students perform and demonstrate just how far they had progressed. Their enthusiasm and support reflect the value of providing talented regional students with access to quality music education and performance opportunities close to home.
Keeping music education alive in the Great Southern
The WAAPA Diploma of Music is delivered in Albany through a partnership between the Great Southern University Centre and Edith Cowan University's Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA).
The program provides students with practical, industry-focused training, including ensemble rehearsals, instrumental and vocal tuition, music theory, aural skills, business skills and electronic media. It offers aspiring musicians an opportunity to develop their abilities and take important steps towards a future in the music industry.
While the course will not run in Albany in 2027, there are promising numbers of students studying Year 11 and 12 music at local high schools, representing a potential pool of future applicants for a return of the Diploma program in Albany in 2028.
The success of Butterfly FX is a wonderful reminder of what can be achieved when talented students, experienced educators and a supportive community come together.
Congratulations to all five students, Dave Rastrick, Julie Anwar and everyone involved in making the 2026 program such a success. The King River Tavern performance was a fitting finale to a year of learning, creativity and musical achievement.