APRA AMCOS has revealed 14 songwriter and composer members selected for this year's 23% mentorship program for women and gender diverse music creators.
The organisation’s annual initiative pairs emerging artists with established industry figures for three-month mentorships designed to address gender disparity in the music industry. This year’s 23% mentorship program features mentors including Bumpy, KLP, Mo’Ju and Milan Ring working with the selected creators.
The 14 mentees are Alice Hurwood, Ange Nishimwe (ange-bella), Athanasia Sakoutis (ATHANASIA), Ayda Akbal, Doolie Shadforth (DOOLIE), Georgia Slater (Solly Fern), Kyah Parrott (Hayku Kyah), Layla George (Jean Elliot), Lucie O’Connor (Lucie Tiger), Naomi Geste, Nicole Issa, Roz Yuen, Sasha Gavlek and Siobhan McGinnity (MAGNETS).
23% Mentorship program
- 23% mentorship program runs for three months
- Mentors based in Australia, UK and US
- Applications announced 12 June
- Program details at apraamcos.com.au/mentorships
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Each mentee receives pairing with a mentor selected to align with their career stage, goals and priorities. Successful applicants also receive $3,000 towards projects, work-related expenses or travel costs. Additional mentors this year include Nat Dunn and Tammy Ari.
Funk and soul vocalist Athanasia Sakoutis will work with songwriter, producer and DJ Kristy Lee Peters (KLP), while screen composer Ayda Akbal has been paired with Los Angeles-based composer Tammy Ari. The program creates opportunities for skill sharing, confidence building and industry connections.
Since beginning in 2018 as Women in Music Mentorships, 84 mentees have participated including Telenova’s Angeline Armstrong, Annie Hamilton, BVT, CLEWS, dameeeela, Eliza Hull, GRID, Body Type’s Sophie McComish and Victoria Pham. Previous mentors have included Claire Collins, Imogen Clark, Isabella Manfredi, Ngaiire, Sally Coleman and VASSY.
The 23% name references the percentage of APRA AMCOS members who identify as women or gender diverse. The program forms part of broader organisational commitments addressing gender disparity through impactful programs, funding and advocacy, including a 40/40/20 commitment ensuring minimum 40% representation of women across programs and judging panels.
APRA AMCOS represents over 124,000 members who are songwriters, composers and music publishers across Australasia.
Program details at apraamcos.com.au/mentorships
