Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award
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Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award 2026 applications
Applications are open now and close 5:30pm AEST Monday 15 June.
“ I honestly can’t put into words how much it means to receive this award. I feel incredibly honoured and grateful to everyone involved in this project. It’s a moment of real validation that I'm on the right career path, and it gives me the chance to fully invest in myself and pursue this artist journey with everything I’ve got. "
— Ama
In memory of Diana Torossian
Diana Torossian was a fierce advocate for Australian music. She was a passionate supporter of local songwriters, finding and nurturing some of the country’s most prolific songwriting talent.
Diana’s untimely passing in September 2024 was a huge loss to the Australian music community. Given her dedication and passion, it is only fitting that a songwriting award has been established in Diana’s name.
The inaugural Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award was presented in July 2025. Entries for the 2026 Award are open to all songwriters who are aspiring to make a career in the music industry and have started to establish a commercial body of work. Entrants must be APRA members based in Australia and committed to a career as a songwriter.
There will be two prizes on offer.
First prize will consist of a cash amount of $3,000 and the following songwriting and industry mentoring sessions, valued at $20,000:
a) Songwriting sessions (either in person or via Zoom) with each of:
- Andrew Lowden (Thrones)
- Ben Oldland
- David Musumeci and Anthony Egizi (DNA)
- Evie Irie
- Gary Pinto
b) One-hour mentoring sessions conducted via Zoom with each of:
- Andi Sherry (styling/art direction)
- Layne Buckley (publishing)
- Lorrae McKenna (grants/management)
- Peter Karpin (A&R)
- Sammie Walsh (PR)
The second prize is a 12-month, one-on-one Music Career Coaching program with Lisa Butler of the Australian Songwriters Conference, valued at $6,000, offering expert guidance in career strategy, skills development, and industry navigation to support a sustainable music career.
How to enter
Entrants are to provide:
- A link to three songs written within the last five years. The songs must have been fully written by the entrant or with a co-writer (minimum co-writing share of 25%)
- Written lyrics for each of the three songs
- Biographical information and a photo for promo purposes
- Written details of what they would do with the prize money to further their songwriting career (max. 500 words)
