NSW Music Prize unveils Judges and Nominations Committees

The full list of judges and committee members brings together an eclectic mix of artists and industry leaders across the spectrum of music publishing, artist management, media and broadcasting, academia and cultural advocates. 

Culminating in a major award ceremony held during Ausmusic Month in November, the inaugural NSW Music Prize will be Australia’s largest prize for music, celebrating the state’s exceptional contemporary artists as well providing winners with a career-boosting cash injection. These are the categories:  

• $80,000: NSW Music Prize, to be awarded to the NSW artist or act whose release has had the most significant impact.
• $40,000: NSW First Nations Music Prize for an NSW First Nations artist or act whose release has had significant and meaningful impact.
• $40,000: NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year for an emerging NSW artist or act who has had a groundbreaking year. 

The three prizes will be awarded to NSW-based artists or acts who have demonstrated exceptional creative achievements and meaningful impact between 1 July 2024 and 30 June 2025 by releasing music or achieving a major career breakthrough. 

Following an Expression of Interest process, a Nominations Committee of 20 music industry experts have been selected to nominate artists for the NSW Music Prize and NSW Breakthrough Artist of the Year. A separate expert Judging Panel of five will then determine who will take out both categories.  

A Nominations Committee of five First Nations industry experts have also been appointed to submit nominations for the NSW First Nations Music Prize. They will then deliver finalists for a separate Judging Panel of three First Nations music industry experts to select the winner. 

Nominations for all awards have now closed with finalists expected to be named in October, ahead of the winners being crowned at a ceremony in Sydney in November. The delivery of the annual prize forms part of the NSW Government’s 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy. 

Head of Sound NSW, Emily Collins said:

“Spanning the three award categories, the 2025 NSW Music Prize will be the country’s largest prize for music, so it is only fitting that the nominations committees and judges reflect the expertise necessary to evaluate the depth of music talent we have here in NSW.

“From artists to broadcasters, publishers and artist managers, each judge and committee member brings a unique perspective to the nomination and judging process, ensuring a fair and representative evaluation across genres and backgrounds.” 

Karla Ranby, Nominations Committee member for the NSW First Nations Music Prize, Sound NSW Advisory Board Member, Diversity & Inclusion Lead for the ABC's music networks said: 

“I'm always excited to highlight and celebrate Blak artists and to play my part in ensuring they get their well-deserved flowers, so it's a total joy to be involved in the nominating committee for the NSW First Nations Music Prize. 

“There's a lot to be proud of in the last year, with First Nations artists in this state releasing projects that commanded the attention of industry and audiences around the country, started important conversations, and deeply resonated with our own communities. 

“There were projects that spoke directly to Blak women, compelling debuts that tackled weighty issues like deaths in custody and intergenerational trauma, and projects that took us directly to the Aboriginal communities in NSW that shaped some of our favourite artists. Revisiting these releases was an emotional, pride-filled listening experience that had me smiling up at the success of First Nations artists in this state and I'm excited to play even a small part in recognising and celebrating their artistry, creativity, power and talent.” 

Sosefina Fuamoli, Judging Panel member, music journalist, broadcaster, and content producer: 

“I am so happy to be part of this judging panel - when I applied to be part of the process, it was mainly because I wanted to discover more about the scene in NSW that I have known for a long time, to be a thriving and diverse one. 

“I also believe that we are in a great space to be able to support and encourage artists and storytellers from many different backgrounds, both via mentorship and these types of financial avenues, to be able to confidently create art and pursue their ambitions in a way that will be received by wider audiences.

“The NSW Music Prize has the potential to breathe new life into the ideas of many artists who are looking to take their projects to the next level, and I look forward to seeing the applicants come through.” 

About Sound NSW 

Established in 2023, Sound NSW is a dedicated office committed to the growth, development and promotion of contemporary music in NSW. 

The state’s new 10-year Contemporary Music Strategy provides a blueprint to stabilise the NSW music industry’s foundations, cultivate growth and support its expansion through targeted initiatives and programs, and cement NSW’s place as a global powerhouse for contemporary live music. 

2025 NSW Music Prize Nomination Committees and Judging Panels 

2025 Nominations Committee  
Adam Lewis, Amazon Music   
Amelia Jenner, WAT Artists  
Andy Garvey, Artist / Label Founder  
Ash McGregor,  Presenter / Host, G.Y.R.O. 
Caitlin Welsh, SydneyMusic.net 
Chloe Melick,  as ONE Management   
Christopher Kevin Au, Artist Manager   
Hau Latukefu,  ABC/Forever Ever 
Jaja Dare, Apple Music / DECOLONISE 
Jannah Beth, Offbeat Collective  
Jeremy Rose, Artist/Label Director Earshift Music 
Karen Waters, Red Rebel Music  
Lauren Guerrera, triple j  
Mel Cheng, Freelancer / Formerly OneLouder  
Munasib Hamid, Freelancer / Kerfew  
Nic Kelly, Hit Network Nights  
Sebastien Desnoux, Bodega Collective  
Stephen Green, The Music Press 
Tammy Moir, Happy Mag 
Tyson Koh, FBi Radio 

2025 First Nations Nominations Committee  
Aiden Powell, Musician / University of Newcastle  
Ali Murphy-Oates, Create NSW  
Karla Ranby, ABC  
Travis de Vries, Awesome Black Studio 
Alethea Beetson, Blak Social/Spotify  

2025 Judging Panel  
Emily Copeland, Freelance Music Strategist 
Grant Donges, Freelance Marketing and Publicity 
Simon Moor, Kobalt Music Publishing 
Sosefina Fuamoli, Music Journalist and Broadcaster 
Travis de Vries, Awesome Black Studio 

2025 First Nations Judging Panel  
Ash McGregor, Presenter / Host, G.Y.R.O.   
Jaja Dare, Apple Music / DECOLONISE 
Leah Flanagan, Director / Musician, APRA AMCOS  

** Bios and headshots of all Judging and Committee members can be download here