Blake Rhodes awarded scholarship from NATSIMO, Abbey Road Institute & Studios 301

Artists, producer and songwriter Blake Rhodes, who performs as Mr Rhodes, had won a fully-paid scholarship for the one-year Abbey Road Advanced Diploma of Music Industry course.

The scholarship is provided in partnership with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), Abbey Road Institute Australia and Studios 301.

Rhodoes is a Bundalung man from Lismore in New South Wales, but he’s relocated to Sydney for the course, which kicked off this week.

The package is valued at $30,000 which includes a $25,000 scholarship from Abbey Road Institute Australia and a $5,000 study bursary from NATSIMO and APRA AMCOS.

The course is designed to build a music professional’s capability in music production or sound engineering.

There will also be regular recording sessions in Studios 301.

Rhodes has composed and performed in Mitch ing’s theatre production FLOW  and collaborated with electronic artist Mike Watson on the new single ‘Outrageous’.

In addition, he was a recipient of the prestigious Generations Fellowship, provided by the Powerhouse Museum, Create NSW and Astral People. He was also selected for NATSIMO’s RESONATE songwriter/producer intensive held at Studios 301.

NATSIMO’s director Leah Flanagan hailed Rhodes as a multi-talented create force.

“We are so proud to be able to provide this opportunity to him in partnership with Abbey Road Institute Australia and Studios 301, and to raise the visibility of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators across the industry,” Flanagan said.

Rhodes said this was an important next step in his ever-evolving career.

“I see is as another level-up moment and an incredible chance to learn from some of the best working engineers and producers in the world, while simultaneously building my network and community at the same time,” he said.

“First and foremost, I want to grow as an artist and a writer, I want to get better at mixing, and I’m really excited to take full advantage of the world-class facilities at my disposal. I am looking forward to working with new people and finding a community of like-minded artists.”