14 music creators announced for 23% mentorship

Name: APRA AMCOS
Address: Australia
Price range: $

Media Published Thursday 12 June 2025

Photo Top L-R: Alice Hurwood, Ange Nishimwe, Athanasia Sakoutis, Ayda Akbal, Doolie Shadforth. MIddle L-R: Georgia Slater, Kyah Parrott, Layla George, Lucie O'Connor, Naomi Geste. Bottom L-R: Nicole Issa, Roz Yuen, Sasha Gavlek, Siobhan McGinnity.

ATHANASIA, Ayda Akbal, Roz Yuen and MAGNETS among this year's mentees

Mentors include Bumpy, KLP, Mo’Ju, Milan Ring, Nat Dunn and Tammy Ari

The program is part of a suite of commitments aimed at addressing gender disparity in music through impactful programs, funding and advocacy

APRA AMCOS has announced the 14 songwriter and composer members who will take part in this year’s 23% mentorship program for women and gender diverse music creators.

This year’s 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).

Each mentee is paired with a mentor specially selected to align with career stage, goals and priorities for a three-month period. This year’s mentors include some of the industry’s leading figures based in Australia, the UK and the US including Bumpy, KLP, Mo’Ju, Milan Ring, Nat Dunn and Tammy Ari. Each successful applicant also receives $3,000 towards projects or work-related expenses and/or travel.

Funk/soul vocalist, songwriter and producer, Athanasia Sakoutis (ATHANASIA), who will be mentored by songwriter, producer and DJ, Kristy Lee Peters (KLP), explains: “I think this mentorship is so important because it platforms incredible women and gender diverse musicians in an industry where their contributions are often overlooked. I’ve watched the 23% mentorship grow over the years, and every time I see it in action, I’m reminded that there are spaces and initiatives genuinely committed to championing and empowering women in music.”

Screen composer, Ayda Akbal, who will be working with LA-based composer Tammy Ari, adds: “Tammy Ari is not only an extraordinary composer, but also a fellow Melburnian who has been living and working in Los Angeles for many years. She’s trodden a path that I would be proud to follow, which makes our one-on-one mentorship particularly meaningful, especially since we are able to meet in person in a city that’s new to me, just as it once was for her.”

Since the mentoring program began in 2018 (previously called Women in Music Mentorships), 84 mentees have taken part including Telenova’s Angeline Armstrong, Annie Hamilton, BVT, CLEWS, dameeeela, Eliza Hull, GRID, Body Type’s Sophie McComish and Victoria Pham. Mentors have included some of the industry’s most influential names including Claire Collins, Imogen Clark, Isabella Manfredi, Ngaiire, Sally Coleman and VASSY.

Five-time mentor, KLP, says: “The 23% mentorship program is such a valuable initiative, it creates real space for honest conversation, skill sharing and confidence building. Having been a mentor before, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when emerging artists feel supported and understood. I’m really looking forward to being involved again this year and continuing to help shape a more inclusive and empowered Australian music industry.”

23% is a reference to the percentage of APRA AMCOS members who identify as women or gender diverse. It’s part of a suite of commitments from the organisation aimed at addressing gender disparity in music through impactful programs, funding and advocacy, including a 40/40/20 commitment to a minimum of 40% representation of women across all programs and judging panels.

Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS, concludes: “Congratulations to all of this year’s mentees! We know that getting into and sustaining a career in the music industry can be tough at the best of times, but for women and gender diverse songwriters and composers it can be even more challenging. Programs like 23% are hopefully one small step in the right direction to support and achieve gender parity in our industry.”