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News > Alumni News > Dakota Striplin's soaring Country Music success in Nashville

Dakota Striplin's soaring Country Music success in Nashville

18 May 2022
Written by Bekki Shearer
Alumni News
2011 Graduate Dakota Striplin
2011 Graduate Dakota Striplin

Congratulations to 2011 Alumni Dakota Striplin who recently signed a major publishing contract in Nashville with Perfect Pitch Publishing.

Dakota was well known for his musical talents during his Senior years at the College and we are all immensely proud of his success. Some of you may remember Dakota from his busking days at Cleveland when he was just 12 years old. After performing in multiple College Musicals, Arts Academy Awards and Assemblies, Dakota continued his passion post-graduation with appearances on Australia’s The Voice and America’s Got Talent. His success is a great example of how hard work and commitment can help you achieve your dreams. “I believe that you could have all the talent in the world but if you don’t work hard you won’t ever reach your full potential and I definitely learnt that at Sheldon College” says Dakota. 

When speaking to the Redland City Bulletin about his success, Dakota said “My long term goal ultimately is to be a full-time songwriter and artist while finding new talent and helping them. Signing this deal, along with some more hard work, will hopefully take me to the next level where I can make a good living through the songs I write and also help other writers and artists make their way into music”.

Dakota has always been a big believer in the Arts program at Sheldon College and when asked about his experience at the College he said “I owe a lot to Sheldon College. It gave me the best environment possible to learn and grow as a musician and songwriter”. Joining the ASTA Combined Performing Arts Program in Year 9 really cemented his passion for music and performing. He said “there were so many opportunities to perform and have fun, it was the best!”. 

“I thought I wanted a career in Musical Theatre but as I developed I realised that my true passion was in writing songs” Dakota said. That journey took him to Nashville where he was fortunate enough to sign a publishing deal where he is able to write music full-time. "I've been working hard for the last two years amidst the pandemic, trying to write good songs and make some headway in Nashville. To finally have something come through in this way is very exciting - especially with a country music giant and songwriting legend like Ronnie Dunn," he said.

We are so proud of Dakota’s success and can’t wait to see where this new opportunity takes him with his career. 

 

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