Young people could achieve anything they imagined, regardless of their background, a Youth Week ambassador said in Dunedin yesterday.
Auckland-based professional drummer Dylan Elise (22) grew up in ''the roughest part of Porirua'' and was home-schooled, he told 50 trainees at the Kokiri Training Centre.
''I want to inspire people to do what they want to do and fulfil their dreams,'' Mr Elise said.
''I'm not a natural drummer and there was a lot of hard work involved. To succeed, you need a lot of practice and a lot of persistence. It's about having a dream and following it.''
The 2013 Youth Week theme, ''Live Like A Legend'', was to encourage young people to express their individuality and skill and celebrate those traits in others, Dunedin City Council Youth Action Committee chairman LJ Apaipo said.
''We brought Dylan here to share his inspiring story of achieving his dreams and success from humble beginnings,'' Mr Apaipo said.
Mr Elise will hold performances and workshops at Dunedin secondary schools today, before judging the ''Drum Like A Legend'' competition at 5.30pm tomorrow at Sammy's.
He will also host a free drumming clinic from 11am to noon on Saturday at Music Works. Youth Week concludes with the Dunedin Bike Board and Blade Trust annual skate event,at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday, from 3pm to 7pm.
