Inaugural Justin Cosby Scholarship Recipient Is Announced

Bonnie Rose Stoyanof is the inaugural winner of The Justin Cosby Scholarship, established in the memory of Justin Cosby, the late A&R director and co-founder of Inertia Music.

Announced last October, The Justin Cosby Scholarship is jointly funded by the Australian Institute of Music (AIM) and an endowment made possible by the late executive’s friends, family and colleagues.

The scholarship “honours Justin’s profound impact on the Australian music scene and his unwavering commitment to nurturing emerging talents,” reads a joint statement, by supporting one student each year for AIM’s Bachelor of Arts and Entertainment Management degree, valued at around $45,000 and encompassing the full three-year program.

“We’re all so incredibly proud that Justin’s legacy continues with the generosity of the donors, with the support of AIM and with the spirit we are sure Bonnie will bring to her studies and ultimately to the music industry,” comments Ashley Sellers, Inertia Music co-founder.

Based in Sydney, Bonnie is a passionate music fan who has worked with ARIA/PPCA and on festivals such as Laneway, Good Things, Soundwave, and contributed time as a volunteer for Summer Camp.

“Receiving The Justin Cosby Scholarship is an incredible honour,” Bonnie enthuses. “I’m told Justin was a total music enthusiast, which is the quality I will look to bring to what I hope will be my journey into the music industry.  I’d like to thank all the donors to the scholarship, I can’t describe how much it means to me. Thank you all.”

Inertia, AIM Foundation, Musica Copa, One Louder, Future Classic, JB Hi-Fi, Remote Control, MGM, So Frenchy So Chic, Proper Productions, and Sweat it Out made “generous financial contributions” towards The Justin Cosby Scholarship.

Bonnie Rose Stoyanof

Tim Kelly, a former colleague of Cosby and label exec in the U.K. and Australia, now runs AIM’s degree.

“I’m delighted for Bonnie,” he comments, “she fits the profile of the scholarship and is exactly the type of person who will make the industry a better place.  My personal thanks to Katja, Ashley and all those who helped make this happen.”

With his infectious enthusiasm for music and engaging personality, Cosby formed Inertia Music with Sellers back in 2000. In those early days, Inertia operated out of a living room in Sydney, but it would grow to become one of the leading independent music companies in Australia.

Cosby worked with the likes of Sia, Bjork, Bon Iver, Ben Lee, Asgeir, M83, Grizzly Bear, Robyn and Big Scary, and was “highly regarded by the Australian independent community,” reads a tribute from AIM following his passing.

The music-loved music professional died in June 2021, aged 50.

Separately, SXSW Sydney last year awarded the first annual Justin Cosby Music Prize in two categories, with Miss Kaninna winning for best emerging artist, and Otoboke Beaver taking out best performance, based their onstage efforts last week at the first annual event.