UQ graduate pipped at Eurovision post after winning jury vote

University of Queensland music graduate Dami Im has wowed the world and blitzed the jury vote with a powerful grand final performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in Sweden.

Dami won the jury vote by a huge margin of 320 points to Ukraine's 211, but didn't get enough points from viewer call-in votes to hold her lead.

Ukraine won the competition, with Dami's performance securing Australia a close second.

Dami Im's ascent to the grand final was a victory for Australia and wonderful news for her former teachers at UQ.

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

One of her former chamber music teachers, Professor Patricia Pollett, said she was thrilled at Dami's grand final performance.

“Dami was an exceptional student, she’s an outstanding performer and we’re not surprised she has reached such great heights internationally,” Professor Pollett said.

“Those of us who know her at the school are absolutely thrilled.”

Dami won the X Factor in 2013 and released an ARIA-topping single and album.

Professor Pollett said Dami majored in piano. 

“Most people would know Dami for her great voice, but she’s also a very talented pianist,” she said.

“She is very dedicated and got top marks in almost everything she did.”

Dami has a list of honours at UQ, including;

2006: UQ School of Music piano prize Dean’s Commendation List for high achievement

2007: Dean’s Commendation List for high achievement

2008: UQ School of Music piano prize, Dean’s Commendation List for high achievement

2009: 4MBS Musica Viva Sid Page Memorial Prize in Chamber Music as part of chamber group ‘Ebony Trio’, Placed in the Lev Vlassenko Competition – an internationally recognised, prestigious competition held biannually in Brisbane, Dean’s Commendation List for high achievement, Faculty of Arts Scholar.

Media: communications@uq.edu.au, 0413 601 248 or 07 3336 0561.