Arts Alumna wins prestigious Helpmann Award for Voice

The Helpmann Academy has announced that emerging vocalist and Adelaide University graduate Erin McKellar has been awarded the inaugural Helpmann Academy Award for Voice, valued at $8,000.

Funded by Dr Rob Lyons, the Helpmann Academy Award for Voice aims to support and inspire the future endeavours of South Australia’s emerging vocalists. The award provides the opportunity for the recipient to undertaker a self-directed and tailored program that will further develop their burgeoning career.

McKellar's career has developed rapidly since graduating from a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) at the University of Adelaide’s Elder Conservatorium of Music in 2016 and she already has an impressive list of awards and song writing credits to her name.

As well as being an accomplished vocalist McKellar is the primary songwriter and vocal producer for the Australian girl-band sensation G-Nat!on. The group has performed at various festivals and concerts and in 2019 they released their first single Girl’s Night Out (penned by McKellar), which charted number 7 on the Australian streaming charts during its first week of release.

The Helpmann Academy Award for Voice will assist McKellar with essential funding for her next career goal – the production of her first solo EP. She will be working alongside a mentor for the project, engaging the expertise of seasoned multi-instrumentalist, composer and producer Harrison Wood.

When we congratulated Erin on her success she said:
“I’m really excited to share my own music on a larger platform. My artistry has evolved over the past few years and is significantly influenced by my time at the Elder Conservatorium of Music, where I was able to learn under the guidance of renowned jazz musicians and educators. This has formed the foundation with which I create and professionally write music from. My musicianship would not be at the level it is now without my study at the Conservatorium, for which I am grateful.”