WAGGA might be the breeding ground of many sports stars, but Emma Swift and Sam Moran are showing there is plenty of musical talent by being named finalists in this year's Aria Awards.
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Both Emma and Sam are former Kooringal High School students.
Emma has been nominated for best country album, while former Yellow Wiggle Sam has been nominated for best children's album with Play Along With Sam: We're Gonna Dance.
Emma, who graduated from Kooringal High in 1999, said yesterday she was shocked her self-titled debut album had been nominated alongside releases from superstar Keith Urban and other seasoned headliners, such as Kasey Chambers, Adam Brand and The McLymonts.
"Keith Urban fills stadiums in the United States, I'm lucky to play at the Annandale Hotel on a Thursday night," a modest Emma said.
"It's nice to be considered, even though I am an up-and-comer, really."
Emma moved to Nashville in 2012 to follow her musical dreams and is now back in Australia where she is well known as a radio presenter on Double J as well as playing gigs around the country.
Emma's mother Anna is a teacher at Kooringal High School, while her sister, Rhiannon Hargreaves, and her brother, Michael Swift, also still live in Wagga.
Still calling herself a Wagga girl, Emma gives a lot of credit for her growing success to her time at Kooringal High.
"It was a great environment, it was very creative," Emma said.
"Norm Lawrence was the blues band teacher.
"We sang old covers of people like The Band and Elvis Presley.
"We rehearsed every Monday from year 7 to year 12, that really got me into playing music and enjoying it.
"I had great teachers who were passionate and interested in the performing arts.
"Peter Cox taught me drama and Brenda King taught music; she was a great music teacher."
Kooringal High School principal Glyn Leyshon congratulated Sam and Emma on their nominations and acknowledged their achievements were a part of of an ongoing culture at the school.
"It shows that with the right support and encouragement, students from rural schools can go on to great things," Mr Leyshon said.
Aria winners will be announced on November 26 in Sydney.
Mike Barnard: Nominated for the Archibald Prize.
Jake Speer: Starring as Oscar MacGuire in Home and Away.
Brendon Boney: On tour with Microwave Jenny supporting Sheppard.
Jethro Kalt: Nominated for Encore, best HSC musical performances.
Emma Swift and Sam Moran: Nominated for Aria awards.