Opportunities for Students and Alumni

Join the Adelaide Horn Jam for two jam-packed days of activities and classes for horn and brass players of all ages and abilities. Sessions include music-making for horn players, classes and masterclasses, retail displays, ensemble performances, and an evening recital. Featuring international guest artist Lin Jiang (Principal Horn, Hong Kong Philharmonic) and tutors from the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra horn section, including Adrian Uren, Sarah Barrett, Philip Paine, Tim Skelly, and our Head of Brass, Dr Emma Gregan.

Sunday 8–Monday 9 June
Elder Conservatorium of Music / Scots Church Adelaide

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Barbara Fergusson, a long-time member of the Richard Wagner Society of SA (RWSSA) and a keen supporter of young artists, is offering membership of the Society and attendance at Society events to students who are interested in Wagner and wish to expand their exposure to this composer. Interested students should contact Barbara at a.b.fergusson@live.com.

Staff and others who are interested in finding out more about the RWSSA are invited to view the website.

Book in for this energising two-hour workshop for creatives who want their digital presence to feel aligned and intentional. Lauren Byleveld, Founder and Director of Studio Veld, will begin with your values – the non-negotiables that drive your work – then open up a conversation about brand identity: what it is, how it shows up, and how to shape one that feels true to you. To finish, Lauren will zoom out and look at what it means to bring that identity online – what's essential, what's optional, and how to approach the web without getting overwhelmed.

The workshop will explore: your brand values and identity; pros and cons of web platforms; selecting the right platform for the right audience; and how to audit your digital assets.

Thursday 19 June 2.45pm
MOD North Terrace (Rooms HB1-26 A & B)

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Preparing an application for a project, grant or residency and stuck on the budget? Join the Helpmann staff to discuss creating and acquitting a budget for a funding application.

In this small targeted session (max 5 participants), Helpmann Academy budget guru Philly Hoang will guide participants on how to create a strong detailed budget that matches the narrative of a project. The session will also discuss the other side of an application, the acquittal – including receipts and details needed to fulfil the expectations of a successful grant.

Program Manager Debbie Pryor will also provide context around what a selection panel looks for in a budget and its connection to the storytelling of an application.

This workshop complements the Helpmann Academy's annual Write on the Money workshop, and allows for 1:1 guidance.

Recipients are encouraged to bring their laptop/device and budget examples for discussion in this small workshop group.

This masterclass is free for eligible Helpmann artists from their partner institutions.

Wednesday 16 July 11.00am–12.00pm
Helpmann Academy, Suite 417, Level 4/147 Pirie St, Adelaide SA 5000

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Calling all emerging string quartets! Join us for two weekends of intensive string quartet tuition at the Elder Conservatorium, with tutors including Elizabeth Layton (violin), Elizabeth Sellars (violin), Stephen King (viola), Caroline Henbest (viola), Keith Crellin (viola), Edith Salzmann (cello) and the Australian String Quartet. Open to all Australian and New Zealand string players.

For more information, please contact Edith Salzmann at edith.salzmann@adelaide.edu.au.

* Scholarships are available. Please contact Edith Salzmann to enquire.

Dates:
Saturday 24–Sunday 25 May | Saturday 9–Sunday 10 August

Time: 9.30am–7.00pm

Location: Elder Hall

Tuition Fees: $500 per ensemble
 

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The Elder Conservatorium of Music and Adelaide Baroque are delighted to be partnering again to host our fifth annual Baroque Academy. We are committed to providing a pathway for young and emerging Australian musicians to learn the skills of Historical Performance. Adelaide Baroque's core musicians along with some of the most celebrated Australian baroque performers and teachers will present a significant four-day intensive and immersive experience, open to secondary students, tertiary students, and young professionals. The Academy will present concerts, masterclasses, lectures, Baroque dance classes and workshops.

Tuesday 23–Friday 26 September
Elder Conservatorium of Music

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Do you have a bold idea, or project ready to take flight, or a skill you're itching to master? The Helpmann Academy's Development Grant (previously known as Creative Development Grant) offers up to $3,000 to help emerging creatives turn ambition into action – to kickstart new projects, research and develop ideas or new works, or build skills, markets and creative practices.

Applications close: Sunday 22 June

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The EMR Travel Scholarship in Classical Performance supports two music students majoring in Classical Performance (instrumental, vocal or conducting) or recent graduates of no more than two years, of the Elder Conservatorium of Music to undertake advanced study overseas (privately, or under the auspices of an institution).

Applications open: Monday 16 June
Applications close: Friday 1 August

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Carclew's Project and Development Grants for Individuals support artistic projects in any art form with a tangible outcome, including career development. Grants of up to $10,000 are offered twice per year for activity in the following six months. Project and Development Grants for Individuals encourage, develop and promote the artistic practice of people aged 26 and under and support skills development in creative practice (grants of up to $3,000); artistic career building (grants of up to $3,000); development and/or presentation of new or existing work (grants of up to $10,000); and small-scale projects which enable participation in the arts for children and young people (grants of up to $10,000). Applications open on Tuesday 15 July.
 

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The Helpmann Academy's Elevate Mentorships are an artist-led form of learning, where you can define your own professional development goals and work with more established practitioners to achieve them, with up to $3,000 available for your mentorship. For some, this can mean pursuing support and guidance to develop skills related to your craft, be that artistic, musical, production, film or more. For others, this can be an opportunity to focus on the development of business skills related to being a sole trader, such as networking, marketing, or strategic planning.

Kate Hwang, a graduate from the Elder Conservatorium and emerging cellist, undertook one-on-one lessons in 2023 with Hyung Suk Bae, the Associate Principal Cellist at the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.

'This mentorship program has also pushed me to learn and adapt quickly, which has improved my playing immensely. I have also been able to deal better with my performance anxiety as I gain more experience.'

– Kate Hwang

Applications close Sunday 29 June at 11.59pm, for activity between 1 September 2025 and 30 June 2026.
 

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Carclew Fellowships offer financial support (up to $10,000 per applicant) to young emerging cultural and creative artists and arts workers, for arts career building; skills development; exploring new art form practice, methods and techniques; research towards creative and/or cultural development; and mentoring towards development of cultural and creative arts practices.

Fellowships to commence after 1 January 2026 and be completed by 31 December 2026.

Applications close Sunday 27 July.

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The Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz supports South Australian jazz musicians to embark on vital career-development projects. Jazz musicians who are final-year students or graduates from the Elder Conservatorium are invited to apply. Valued at $7,500, 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. Applications open on Monday 12 May and close: Friday 29 June.

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The Helpmann Academy Award for Voice supports and inspires the future endeavours of South Australia's emerging vocalists. Graduates or final-year students from selected programs at the Elder Conservatorium are invited to apply. Generously supported by Dr Rob Lyons, the $5,000 award will empower the recipient to train in their area of interest, develop work, record, tour, gain valuable experience, and build networks. The funding enables the vocalist to develop their skills and experience locally, nationally, or internationally.

Applications open on Monday 12 May and will close on Friday 29 June.

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Celebrating excellence and opportunity, the Helpmann Academy First Nations Award 2025 supports an early-career artist to realise a project or develop their practice. This $5,000 cash award will enable a First Nations artist (individual or group) in their first five years out of graduation to focus on their creative practice. The award acknowledges the artist's early career achievements and recognises their potential. Applicants are encouraged to propose a project or creative development that the $5,000 prize can assist in realising.

Applications open on Monday 12 May and close on Friday 29 June.

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Presented and operated by the Australian Piano Duo Festival (APDF), the Pamela Page and Max Olding Piano Duo Prize aims to support and promote young piano duos, fostering the art of duo pianism and providing opportunities for young musicians' development. The competition is open to young pianists (23 years and under) across Australia. The application deadline, including the submission of the video recording, will close on Friday 18 July.

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The Recitals Australia Lunch Hour Series provides emerging artists with performance experience in front of a live audience, as well as supplying a high-quality live stream for excellent learning opportunities, and for sharing with family and friends. Entries for the Spring Lunch Hour Series (commencing in August) are now open.
 

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Come behind the scenes and be inspired as internationally acclaimed artists Alan Lužar and Blaž Kemperle from the Signum Saxophone Quartet share their experiences and expertise with talented early-career artists and young music students.

Saturday 10 May 10.00am–12.00pm
Elder Hall

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The Australian Music Examinations Board (AMEB), proudly supported by the Queensland Department of Education, invites you to attend the upcoming Queensland Music Education Conference, taking place in Brisbane/Meanjin from Monday 7–Wednesday 9 July 2025. This conference is an opportunity to connect with fellow music educators, share insights, and explore the latest developments in music education.

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