A Nowra music studio was top of the pops for education services at the Illawarra Shoalhaven Business Awards last week.
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Director of Stella Studioz Sian Ludlow said there's more to music than meets the eye - or ear.
The studio works with people from preschool to age 92, those with disabilities, professional musicians and members of the armed forces.
They also work in rehabilitation.
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Ms Ludlow said many people were surprised to find out that musical ability is not an innate talent, but a skill that can be developed by anyone.
"Much like lifting weights at the gym, you have some people who are naturally gifted," she said.
"But anyone can develop those muscles. And while you may not lift 100kg right away, with the right program you can work up to it.
"Singing is no different."
More importantly for Ms Ludlow and the team at Stella Studioz is the impact music can have on a person's life.
Vocal coach and administration officer Jasper Almond said she has seen the power music has to change people's lives first hand.
"We had a young boy with severe autism come in - he was almost non-verbal," she said.
"Even his mum couldn't get much more out of him than 'hi, goodbye, yes, no'.
"In his first session, he sang an entire song, start to finish. His mum had tears in her eyes, it was incredible."
While Ms Almond was overjoyed, she wasn't surprised. She has an interest in the neuroscience behind music, and said it can tap into some of our most primal impulses to share and to bond.
Stella Studioz began in Ms Ludlow's garage. As a teenager, she told her parents she was going to "create a massive home for all the creative, eccentric weirdos, everyone who feels like they don't belong".
Today, the studio has more than 350 clients and 16 teachers.
"I guess we've made it happen," she said.
"I just had a dream of creating a space for creative people to hang out and have a hub.
"I knew I was onto something when we went to the state business awards in 2017."
She said she was surprised and ecstatic to receive the education services award in the Illawarra Business Awards - but it's just the beginning of some big plans she and co-director Sam Tacey have for the business.
"I'm excited about the future - watch this space," she said.