Having commenced her journey at Matthew Flinders Anglican College in Prep, Music Scholar Yana Masurkar is now in Year 12, capping off an extraordinary 13-year schooling career with the ambition to study musical theatre and music at a tertiary level beyond graduation.
Embracing the wealth of opportunities at Flinders, Yana has enjoyed honing her vocal, musical, and performance skills while building her confidence on and off the stage. She is the current Captain of Dramatic Arts, the Choir Vice Captain and an active member of five premier music ensembles.
A recent milestone in her graduating year includes a First Place win at the Queensland Youth Music Awards, where she performed with the 24-voice Flinders Chamber Voices ensemble under the direction of Flinders Director of Music, Sally McHugh.
Another highlight was starring as the female lead of Donna in the school’s production of Mamma Mia! in March. The sold-out season, directed by Director of Dramatic Arts Mr Andy Fraser, earned standing ovations every night, drawing high praise from Professor Paul Sabey, Director of the Queensland Academy of Excellence in Musical Theatre.
In a commendation letter to the College, Professor Sabey noted the production's remarkable calibre.
“It is always a joy to witness young performers discovering and embracing a passion for performance," Professor Sabey wrote. "From the set and costumes to the technical execution, it was genuinely hard to believe this was a school production—such was the professionalism and attention to detail throughout.”
Other major achievements for Yana included being awarded First Place in two vocal categories of the 2025 Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod, where she also received the Julene Robertson Memorial Bursary.
Yana said these opportunities at Flinders enabled her to explore a wide range of musical styles and develop her vocal and instrumental skills.
“More than anything, I value the sense of connection these ensembles create, where every individual contributes to something larger than themselves,” Yana said.
Matthew Flinders Anglican College is inviting students to apply for its 2027 Scholarship Program by 9:00am on Friday, 5 June 2026. Applications are due for Music, Sports and Principal’s Scholarships, which offer tailored support for outstanding students entering Years 7 to 12 in 2027. Learn more and apply online here
Read the full Q&A Profile with Yana below.
Q&A Profile With Yana Masurkar, Year 12 Music Scholar
Q. What do you enjoy about the Flinders Music Program?
Yana: I am currently involved in five music ensembles at Flinders: College Chorale, Chamber Voices, Contemporary Voices, Wind Symphony, and Capriccio Strings. Being part of these groups has given me the opportunity to explore a wide range of musical styles and develop both my vocal and instrumental skills. More than anything, I value the sense of connection these ensembles create, where every individual contributes to something larger than themselves.
Q. What are some of your most significant recent music achievements?
Yana: In 2025, I was awarded 1st place in the Open Vocal Solo and the Vocal Championship at the Sunshine Coast Junior Eisteddfod, and I was also honoured to receive the Julene Robertson Memorial Bursary that year, which was calculated on point-based aggregate between the Solo and the Championship.
Q. Please share a performance highlight at Flinders in 2026.
Yana: One of my biggest performance highlights this year was playing Donna in Mamma Mia! The Musical. It was such a rewarding experience to take on a lead role and challenge myself vocally and dramatically. I loved every moment of the rehearsals and shows, and I had the best time working with the incredibly talented cast, orchestra and crew to bring the show to life. Theatre is something I value deeply because of the connections it creates, and I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to to share my craft with the wonderful Flinders community.
Q How does your scholarship mentor help you manage your music and academic demands?
Yana: My scholarship mentor at Flinders is Ms Sarah Sullivan. She has helped me learn how to balance the demands of juggling music, dramatic arts and academic studies. We have regular check-ins where she helps me keep on track with auditions and goals, and provides support when my schedule becomes busy. Having someone to help me stay organised and focused has made the demands of having a busy schedule in Senior School so much more manageable.
Q. What are your plans beyond Year 12 graduation?
Yana: In the future, I hope to pursue further study in musical theatre or music at a tertiary level. I want to continue developing as both a performer and musician, while also exploring opportunities in lecturing and tertiary education. My current long-term goal is to one day become a lecturer in voice, combining my passion for performance with helping future singers grow in confidence and skill.
