We are keen to ‘Shine a Light’ on talented, emerging musicians and have invited school music students and teaching studio students to participate in the 2025 festival in a performance capacity. This year featuring Trinity Bay High, Yungaburra State School, Cairns String Orchestra, Cairns Voice Studio and Mt Saint Bernard’s College.
Welcome to the exciting future of our Festival!
Trinity Bay State High School
14 students enrolled at Trinity Bay State High School in the Certificate IV program across year 11 including vocalists, guitar/bass, drums, keyboards and a range of other support instrument. These students have substantial experience performing in groups and bands and throughout the course prepare, perform and evaluate around 30 performance pieces including popular songs, technical pieces in a range of genres (e.g. gypsy jazz) and original compositions. They represent the best of up and coming talent in our region and are the next generation of Far North performers heading into the workplace.
7 pm Fri – Garden Stage
10 am Sat – Garden Stage
1.15 pm Sat – Community Hall
12.30 pm Sunday (unplugged) TAFE Stage
Yungaburra State School
The Folk Festival will be extra sweet this year with Yungaburra State School’s little ukulele group! These talented students are ready to strum, sing, and share their joy with the community. Come along, watch, and join in the fun!”
The Yungaburra State School Dance Crew will “Shine a Light” at the Folk Festival, with 60 dedicated students rehearsing weekly during lunchtimes to perfect their uplifting group performance. Dancing to Absolutely Everybody, the crew invites the community to watch, clap along, and join in the celebration of unity and joy.
3.30 pm Sat – Kaleidoscope Stage
6 pm Sat – on the Street
Tablelands Home School
Students aged 5 – 14 who love to come together to write, rehearse, perform and record original music. For the first time TFF welcomes their Student Showcase.
2.30 pm Sat – Kaleidoscope Stage
Cairns String Orchestra
Comprises of school aged string players from all over the Cairns and Tablelands region. Student musicians will perform inspirational classical pieces that will help liven the spirit and brighten your day. The Cairns String Orchestra Inc has been providing string musicians the opportunity to participate in an orchestra, developing and fine tuning their skills, for 30 years.
2.15 pm Sat – Community Hall
Mount St Bernard College
Featuring the strongest Music program of the Tablelands’ High Schools, providing 3 very different musical acts. Year 12 Band WeHateLoveSongs, Year 9 Band Purple Days, and Year 11 Band Full Gain.
12 noon Sat – Community Hall
Yindali Sharp
Currently attending Atherton State High School Yindali is always keen to play. Her recently recorded Naidoc-themed original piece ‘Keep the Fire burning’ took out QATSIF 2024 song of the year. So, you can’t go wrong with her acoustic guitar and vocal pieces.
3 pm Sat – Kaleidoscope Stage
The students and emerging artists have gained so much from their performance experience at the festival over many years and this year bring a showcase of 2 high quality young emerging artists.
- Tilli Green. A 16 year old emerging singer songwriter
11.45 am Sat Cafe Calabash
4.15 pm Sat Kaleidoscope Stage - Caelin Maher. A 16 year old emerging singer songwriter and musician.
4.45 pm Sat – Café Calabash
As the region’s largest music school, creating an extraordinary learning experience for every musician, from novice to pro. Join our students in the harmonious blend of warmth, expertise, and musical brilliance.
3.30 pm Sun – The Fringe