Pop acts Tkay Maidza, Julia Jacklin and Montaigne, to classical composer Katy Abbott, country singer-songwriter Christie Lamb, jazz singer and composer Daniel Susnjar, electronic artist Jacob Grant (pka Just A Gent) and screen composer Amy Bastow, are 2017 finalists for the APRA Professional Development Awards.
Of 40 finalists selected, 60% are women in 2017.
The APRA Professional Development Awards are held every two years. Judges include Lior, Mia Dyson, Johannes Luebbers, James Blundell, Brooke McClymont, Cat Hope, Dan Zilber, Kevin Bennett, Leah Flanagan, John Ferris who determine this group of music creators who are in the running to take home a cash prize of $15,000.
POPULAR CONTEMPORARY (3 Awards will be given in this category including Pop,
Rock, Blues, Folk, Hip Hop, Dance and R&B)
Ainslie Wills, Dave Crowe, Elizabeth Mitchell, Hannah Cameron, Hannah Crofts, Jessica Cerro pka
Montaigne, Julia Jacklin, Peter Harding pka Thief, Sophie Payten pka Gordi and Tkay Maidza
ABORIGINAL TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER
Benjamin Walker, Jess Beck, Joseph Dargan pka Lucky Luke, Robbie Miller and Zaachariaha
Fielding
CLASSICAL
Amanda Cole, Julian Day, Katy Abbott, Nicole Murphy and Tristan Coelho
COUNTRY
Christie Lamb, Danielle Blakey, Fanny Lumsden, Kaylee Bell and Timothy James Bowen
DANCE/ELECTRONIC
Jacob Grant pka Just a Gent, Laura Lowther pka Kučka, Nat Conway, Nicholas Drabble pka Set
Mo and Oscar Key Sung
FILM & TELEVISION
Amy Bastow, Angela Little, Claire Deak, Damien Lane and Pru Montin
JAZZ
Andrea Keller, Daniel Susnjar, Kristin Berardi, Sam Anning and Steve Barry
SMUGGLERS OF LIGHT
Eric Avery, Gina Williams, Jessica Hitchcock, Yirrmal Marika and Zaachariaha Fielding
The winners of the APRA PDAs will be announced on 25 July 2017.