The winners of the 2025 Professional Development Awards (PDA) have been announced
13 winners across 12 categories including Becca Hatch, Denvah, Josten Myburgh, Romy Vager and Skeleten
Each took home their share of a game-changing $130,000 cash to be spent on their professional development
The 13 songwriter and composer winners of the 2025 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDA) have been announced at a packed-out event in Sydney today.
Each of them took home their share of a game-changing $130,000 cash ($10,000 each) to be spent on their professional development through workshops, music education courses, composer seminars and co-writing sessions.
This year’s winners are an eclectic mix of the future of music creation from hip hop sensation BARKAA to country darling Denvah, classical composer Josten Myburgh, pop powerhouse Romy Vager (RVG) and electronic producer Skeleten.
Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, says: “Investing in career development opportunities for our members is a big part of what we do, and our PDAs have a demonstrated track record in enabling career-defining opportunities.
"It’s wonderful to see such a diverse range of talented songwriters and composers across multiple genres being recognised, and it’s testament to their dedication, commitment, passion and putting in the hard yards to progress their careers in what is a very challenging and competitive industry.
“I have no doubt that this will be an important step to bigger and better things for this year’s winners and driving Australia’s reputation as a global music powerhouse.”
Three of the 13 awards were presented to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander members by the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), including Kee’ahn Bindol (General), R&B artist Becca Hatch (Youth) and blues songwriter Marlene Cummins (Senior).
This year’s winners are:
BARKAA - Hip Hop/Rap
Becca Hatch - NATSIMO Youth (under 25)
Cassie Hamilton - A Transgender Woman on the Internet, Crying - Music Theatre
Denvah - Country/Americana
Josten Myburgh - Classical & Experimental
Kee'ahn Bindol - NATSIMO General
KIAN - Popular Contemporary
Marlene Cummins - NATSIMO Senior (over 50)
Romy Vager - Popular Contemporary
Samuel Marks - Screen Composition
Skeleten - Dance/Electronic
Solune - Jazz & Improvised Music
Wild Gloriosa - R&B/Soul
An experienced panel of judges from journalists and presenters like Dave Ruby Howe and Sosefina Fuamoli to artists and producers including Brooke McClymont, Casey Barnes, Julian Hamilton and Liz Stringer chose this year's winning list of music creators.
Previous PDA winners who have gone on to great things have included Angie McMahon, Baker Boy, Elsy Wameyo, Gotye, Jem Cassar-Daley, Melanie Dyer, Miss Kaninna, Morgan Evans, Ngaiire, Rebecca Bracewell, Sara Berki and Yirrmal.