Some artists spend a lifetime looking for a corporate sponsor, but at the tender age of 11, Katoomba's Allegra Dunning has already signed two sponsorships with Australian music instrument manufacturers.
The singer songwriter was recently endorsed by Cole Clark Guitars and also Macdaddy Stompboxes, which includes ongoing mentoring.
She is the youngest performer to be endorsed by the guitar company, joining a list of music luminaries that includes Snow Patrol, Xavier Rudd, Jack Johnson, Angus and Julia Stone, Ben Harper and Birds of Tokyo.
Lloyd Spiegel, artist relations for Cole Clark Guitars, said the company was "passionate about supporting young, talented Australians who we look forward to growing with".
"Allegra struck a chord (pun intended) with me the moment we met and I'm proud to have her as a Cole Clark artist."
Mum, Jo Dunning, said no-one in the family is a singer, but Allegra came out of the womb as one.
"When she was born she didn't cry, she held one note and the doctor said 'she's a singer'. When she started to make sounds, she wasn't really talking, she was singing. She was strumming on a ukulele from about age two and making up her own songs as toddler."
Mrs Dunning said the previous 12 months had been "massive for her, with interstate tours (QLD, SA, VIC) , music awards (Winner of Sydney Folk Festival Open Songwriting competition, Maldon Minstrel Award etc ) and so much more".
"She is really grateful for the faith the Australian guitar company have in her, as other artists they endorse are amazingly talented."
The family was surprised by the endorsements.
"Because she's so young you don't expect someone to jump on board. She doesn't even have an album out," Mrs Dunning said.
Allegra said the guitar sponsor corresponded with her on Instagram, the other sponsor heard her at the Gympie Muster.
"It feels really, I don't know how to explain it, I guess I'm really excited, happy and lucky and very humble," she told the Gazette during a break from one of her 16 professional gigs at the recent Tamworth Music Festival.
The first of many sponsored Cole Clark guitars, which she has named Cica after a beloved grandmother, was "incredible". She's received the guitar at wholesale cost like all their other sponsored artists.
"It really helps you become a better guitarist because you can hear every little detail," she said.
Garry Hudson from Macdaddy Stompboxes said their sponsorship covered her travel and performances at promotional gigs, as well as several personalised stompboxes each year. The boxes are percussive instruments designed to give a kick drum effect to a guitar.
He praised Allegra's songwriting ability and natural talent with the stompbox.
"We're taking the ride with her, we don't care what it costs us."
Allegra has started Year 7 at a performing arts school in North Strathfield. She will perform at this year's Blue Mountains Music Festival.
