APRA reveals 2019 professional development awards winners

Angie McMahon, Ecca Vandal and Mojo Juju spearheaded the winners of APRA’s professional development awards.

These were announced at a ceremony at The Lansdowne in Sydney on Wednesday (Sep 25), where it was revealed that 900 creatives had applied.

The three came under the popular contemporary category.

The other recipients were Deline Briscoe (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander), Amanda Cole (art music), Imogen Clark (country), Beatrice Lewis (dance/electronic), Pru Montin (film & television) and Niran Dasika (jazz).

Held every two years, the APRA PDAs support emerging songwriters and composers across a variety of genres and categories by providing a cash award and recognition at a pivotal stage in their respective career.

Each winner is awarded a $15,000 cash prize as well as M50x studio headphones from Audio Technica and an ‘Aon wallet’ insurance package

“The calibre of the recipients of the professional development awards signals the strength of Australian music,” notes APRA AMCOS chief executive Dean Ormston.

“Acknowledging and investing in our homegrown talent is crucial to their next career steps, and we look forward to seeing and hearing what the future holds for all of them.”

Actor, songwriter and award-winning opera singer Jess Hitchcock took the Smugglers of Light indigenous music and media award.

The Smugglers of Light Foundation was set up in memory of 21-year-old producer and rapper Eli Westlake, who was killed in 2008 in a street incident.

Hitchcock received a grant of $12,000 presented by composer and conductor Nigel Westlake.

A panel of PSA judges included Lior, Jenny Morris, Jonathan Zwartz, Brooke McClymont, Cat Hope, Dan Zilber, Leah Flanagan, Tania Doko, and Francois Tetaz.

Previous winners include Gotye, Ainslie Wills, Julia Jacklin, Timothy Carroll, Ruby Boots, Briggs, VASSY, Jeremy Rose and screen composer Caitlin Yeo.