X Factor crown for UQ music graduate

Dami Im, a talented music graduate of The University of Queensland, has been crowned the winner of Australian TV talent show X Factor.

An audience favourite from the first live show, Dami went on to win the live grand final decider last night, after 24 hours of public voting.

Dami graduated from UQ’s School of Music in 2009 with a Bachelor of Music, earning first class Honours in Music Performance.

Her former piano teacher at UQ School of Music Max Olding says the show had helped an already talented student blossom further.

“At UQ, she was a model student and very dedicated to improving her work and performances,” Mr Olding said.

“She had some success in minor competition events locally, although I couldn’t convince her to go in for major competitions. She didn’t think she was up to that.

“She’s a very modest girl.

“I thought to myself at the beginning of X Factor that ‘she could win this’ because her classical background stood her in good stead with a modern singing style. She has perfect pitch and she moved into that arena where she could sing on the note and make a beautiful sound.”

Mr Olding said that while Dami cemented her musical skills at UQ, she had “blossomed” on the show.

“It comes down to performance and confidence. That is what really makes it tick, and I think that is what the show has given her,” he said.

Dr Denis Collins, Head of UQ’s School of Music praised Dami for her “gutsy” performances.

“Her classical music background and musicality gave her the depth required to be able to step out of her comfort zone and seamlessly switch between genres,” Dr Collins said.

“Dami was an outstanding UQ student, consistently on the Dean’s Commendation List for high achievement.

“She is a true performer.

“In her final year at UQ, she was awarded the 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize in Chamber Music.”

Dami, who was coached on the show by celebrity singer Dannii Minogue, attracted a strong following of fans, dubbed the “Dami Army”.

The win has secured Dami a recording contract with Sony Music and a management deal.

Her single Alive went straight to the top of the iTunes charts following her win.

Media: Lisa Summer-Hayes, 07 3365 2632 or l.summerhayes@uq.edu.au

Dami's UQ achievements