APRA AMCOS reveals Professional Development Awards winners

APRA AMCOS has announced the winners of 2022’s Professional Development Awards.

The awards exist to support developing songwriters and composers by providing a $10,000 cash grant.

Winners also receive a prize from Australis Music, ranging from an Epiphone Casino Coupe guitar to a Behringer POLY-D Synth.

Rapper, actor and dancer, Baker Boy, meanwhile, picked up $12,000 as the winner of the Music and Media Award. The grant is courtesy of Smugglers of Light, a foundation set up by Australian composer and conductor, Nigel Westlake, in memory of his son, Eli Westlake.

The full list of 2022 PDA recipients includes:

Beckah Amani – Popular Contemporary
Georgia Potter pka Moreton – Popular Contemporary
Kitty Xiao – Classical / Experimental
Melanie Dyer – Country / Americana
Liz Maniscalco pka BRUX – Dance/ Electronic
Michael Drew – Film and Television / Gaming
Tiana Khasi – Hip Hop / Rap / R&B / Soul
Rafael Karlen – Jazz / Improvised Music
Brittanie Shipway – Yellow Rock – A Gumbaynggirr Song Circle – Music Theatre
Danzal Baker pka Baker Boy – Smugglers of Light Music and Media Award

APRA AMCOS CEO, Dean Ormston, said the PDAs support members by both recognising their talent and investing in it.

“Over the past two years, many of our members have had their livelihoods, professional opportunities and creative development hampered due to the pandemic, and yet they continue to pursue their goals and innovate to share their output,” he said.

“APRA AMCOS is proud to back our members with this special award.”

Judges this year included Jenny Morris, Dave Ruby Howe, Yve Blake, Brooke McClymont, Adalita, Pip Norman, Nina Las Vegas, Joel Ma and John Ferris.

A playlist featuring the work of all PDAs finalists is available on Spotify and Apple Music.