SongMakers receives funding boost from Sound NSW

Two new staff have joined the SongMakers team – NSW Program Manager Reg Harris and Coordinator Breanna Jones

SongMakers mentors for 2026 include Chloe Dadd, Dobby, KLP, Lily Richardson and Mr Rhodes

Collaborative songwriting program for young people, SongMakers, will be expanded in New South Wales in 2026 and 2027 thanks to new funding from the NSW Government through Sound NSW.  

Run by APRA AMCOS, SongMakers gives young people with a passion for music the opportunity to co-write and record original music with highly acclaimed artist and producer mentors.  

Since launching in 2013, SongMakers has taught over 5,000 young people and their teachers at more than 300 high schools nationally and created more than 1,500 original songs. Alumni from the program include Chelsea Warner, Chloe Dadd, Taka Perry, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers and Tia Gostelow. 

The 2026 NSW program will begin with workshops in Western Sydney, the Central Coast and the state’s south-east, with mentors already confirmed to take part including Chloe Dadd, Dobby, Hylander, KLP, Lily Richardson (CLEWS), Mr Rhodes and more. 

The $1.53 million funding from Sound NSW will extend the program across the next two years to include in-school workshops, school holiday programs, SongMakers Academy and teacher development. 

Emily Collins, Head of Sound NSW, explains: “Sound NSW is proud to support the expansion of SongMakers, a program that has a proven track record of inspiring young people and nurturing the next generation of Australian songwriters.  

“This investment ensures that students across NSW can access high-quality creative learning experiences led by some of our most exciting artists and producers. We look forward to seeing the talent, confidence and opportunities this program will unlock over the next two years.” 

In order to support the expanded program, two new staff have joined the SongMakers team – NSW Program Manager Reg Harris and Coordinator Breanna Jones. 
 
Harris is a music programmer and musician with a passion for platforming and supporting emerging artists. He comes from previous roles as Music Festival Program Manager at SXSW Sydney, Music Director at fbi.radio in Sydney and a Writer Services Representative at APRA AMCOS. 

Jones also comes from a stint at fbi.radio where she was Station Manager. Prior to that she was a Creative Advisor for Accessible Arts’ Songsmiths program, a board member for not-for-profit disability-led label Off The List Records and sat on judging panels for the Music Victoria Awards, and Accessible Arts’ Bundanon Artist in Residence program.  

Dean Ormston, CEO of APRA AMCOS, concludes: “We applaud the NSW Government for this latest investment in the next generation of songwriters and can’t wait to bring the program to government and state schools from next year.  

“As SongMakers has already shown in Victoria, teaching songwriting in schools not only provides skills and opportunities to the next generation of stars, but also helps to keep Australia on the map as a real creator of incredible world-class music.” 

SongMakers is available to all NSW government schools who can apply by registering an Expression of Interest.