Opportunities for Students and Alumni

The Helpmann Academy Award for Voice supports and inspires the dreams, plans and aspirations for the future of South Australia's emerging vocalists.

'Completing this project with Helpmann's support has allowed me to develop a clear trajectory for the next stage in my creative career. Stepping out of university and into the vast world of the music industry was a daunting and unfamiliar time, so having this opportunity to guide and propel me into reaching my goals was invaluable.'

– Grace Mensforth, 2023 recipient

Vocalists who are final year students or graduates from selected programs from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, are invited to apply.

Valued at $5,000, the recipient will be empowered to seek out unique training in their area of interest, develop work, record or tour, gain valuable experience, and build networks. The funding provides the opportunity for the recipient to develop their skills and experience, locally, nationally, or internationally.

The recipient can also undertake significant activities that align with their career objectives and facilitate the next steps in achieving their goals.

Grace Mensforth received the Helpmann Academy for Voice in 2023. She is a vocalist, songwriter, musical collaborator and storyteller living on Kaurna land and is the leader of Tell Mama and used her award to produce, mix, master and release her debut album, Console Me.

'This experience also provided the opportunity to connect with some incredible industry mentors and discover new areas of creative interest and passion, such as music recording, production and mixing. Helpmann has not only supported these goals financially but has also done so through the mentoring and invaluable advice I received during the application process, which allowed me to gain a clearer picture of my career's next steps.'

– Grace Mensforth, 2023 recipient

Applications are invited from the following programs from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide:

• Bachelor of Music (all majors)
• Bachelor of Music Theatre

The Helpmann Academy are thrilled to support final year students and graduates for up to five years, from your official conferral date. Graduates and final year students from the listed programs above can apply for this award, provided activity takes place after your studies have been completed. Honours students from the programs listed above are eligible to apply, provided your honours program has been taken directly following your undergraduate degree.
 

Key Dates

Applications open on Monday 5 August 2024
Applications close on Sunday 8 September 2024 at 11.59pm
For activity occurring between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025

For more information, contact Helpmann Academy:
P: (08) 7089 0720
E: info@helpmannacademy.com.au

APPLY

The Helpmann Academy Award for Voice is generously funded by Dr Rob Lyons, and aims to support and inspire our state's most promising, emerging vocalists.

The Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz supports and inspires emerging South Australian jazz musicians to embark on vital career development projects.

'The Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz was monumental in taking the next critical steps in my creative career. The funding has enabled me and the other band members to create a solid foundation for moving towards our professional and creative aspirations over the next few years.'

– Daniel Isler, 2023 Recipient

Jazz musicians who are final-year students or graduates from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide, are invited to apply.

Valued at $7,500 and generously supported by the K&S Langley Fund, this award provides an outstanding early-career jazz musician or group with the opportunity to undertake pivotal career development projects, enabling you to take steps towards establishing yourself as a professional musician.

The award will empower an emerging musician or group to seek out and tailor projects that will provide invaluable opportunities for learning, skills development, or the resources for recording or touring, accelerating them towards their goal of a sustainable jazz career.

Daniel Isler received the Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz in 2023. He is a jazz trumpet player, music maker and leader of Soylent Green, a contemporary jazz sextet, living and working on Kuarna land. Daniel has a particular interest in composition which integrates fx pedals with the trumpet. He used his award to record a six-track Soylent Green live album at Wizard Tone Studios and plans to release this digitally and on vinyl in 2024.

'Thanks to the financial support of the award I was able to elevate the scope of the recording project. It has been fantastic to build professional connections with recording studios, visual artists, videographers, vinyl pressing plants and music distribution agencies. It has helped to create a creative network which will benefit me greatly through the release of this album as well as future endeavours.'

– Daniel Isler, 2023 recipient

The award is open to final-year students and graduates from the Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) degree at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide.

Applicants must demonstrate excellence in their work and a rigorous commitment to building a career as a professional jazz artist. An important aspect of this award will also be knowledge sharing and you will be expected to share your experiences through public forums.

The Helpmann Academy are thrilled to support final students and graduates for up to five years, from your official conferral date. Graduates and final-year students from the Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) can apply for this award, provided activity takes place after your studies have been completed. Honours students from the Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) are eligible to apply, provided your honours degree program has been taken directly following your undergraduate degree.
 

Key Dates

Applications open on Monday 5 August 2024
Applications close on Sunday 8 September 2024 at 11.59pm
For activity occurring between 1 November 2024 and 30 June 2025

APPLY

For more information, contact Helpmann Academy.
P: (08) 7089 0720
E: info@helpmannacademy.com.au

The Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz, generously supported by the K&S Langley Fund, aims to support and inspire our state's most promising, emerging jazz musicians.

Proudly supported by the James & Diana Ramsay Foundation and valued up to $7,500, the Helpmann Academy's Creative Investment Fellowships are self-driven and specific to emerging artists from all creative disciplines, to fund significant opportunities tailored specifically to you.

The applicant-led approach will you to be ambitious through projects with long-term impacts and professional development opportunities to build, grow, and invest in your practice.

Individual artists or collectives can pursue customised professional development programs, larger-scale projects, or a combination of both. The self-directed program may encompass a range of activities, such as engaging in residencies, receiving specialised training, participating in long-term workshops, or securing internships with recognised institutions or professional practitioners.

You can choose whether to undertake larger-scale projects independently or integrate the outcomes and learnings from your professional development programs. These projects may also involve the creation of new artistic works, their exhibition or performance, touring, recording, or activities focused on developing new markets and audiences. 

Key Dates

Applications open Monday 8 July 2024
Applications close Sunday 18 August at 11.59pm
For activity occurring between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025

MORE INFO AND APPLY
 

'The opportunity to take our music overseas to Tokyo, and to meaningfully connect with audiences, venues and artists in a cross-cultural exchange has been an invaluable experience in our journey as emerging musicians and creatives. The support of the Helpmann Academy has allowed Wake in Fright to find audiences beyond our borders and to build creative partnerships we otherwise would not have had access to. We are incredibly grateful for the life-changing opportunity.'

– Sam Wilson, Songwriter/Singer/Guitarist (Creative Investment Fellowship Recipient 2023)
 

'The process of creating (short film) Dragging the Chain has been overwhelmingly positive! I have been so fortunate to have amassed an incredible team of young South Australian creatives, with my cast and crew for this project numbering at almost 50 people. We're currently in post-production and are on track to complete our edit and the project by September 2024.'

– Virginia Blackwell, Writer/Director (Creative Investment Fellowship Recipient 2023)

Supporting innovative new art through funding for both emerging and established artists.

The ILA Artists Fund provides grants and resources to artists creating new immersive works, as well as providing opportunities for donors to get more involved in the creation of exciting new work. If you're someone wanting to champion artist sand new works, download the supporter application.

Application for the ILA Artist Fund are now open. Find out more and submit your application before Wednesday 14 August.

MORE INFO AND APPLY

Melbourne Recital Centre's Great Romantics Competition returns for 2024. Entrants will compete for the $8000 Elisabeth Murdoch Prize plus performance and professional development opportunities, as well as the $2,000 Kantor Encouragement Awards.

The Great Romantics Competition is open to instrumental and vocal soloists, duos or small ensembles (five competitors or less), any instrument/s and university music students or recent graduates. Entrants must be aged between 18–25 years of age (at 1 January 2023) and permanent residents or citizens of Australia or New Zealand.

Competition repertoire must consist of work/s composed between 1810–1900 and not exceeding 20 minutes in total duration.

There will be one day of final competition performances to be held at Melbourne Recital Centre on Sunday 22 September 2024. This event is free, however, tickets are required for entry.

Competition applications close at midnight on Wednesday 14 August 2024, 11.59pm.

Interstate applicants are encouraged to enter and may apply for funding to support travel and accommodation expenses. 

Please download the competition guidelines and complete the online registration to enter.

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For all other inquiries please contact 03 9699 2228 during business hours or email learning@melbournerecital.com.au.