Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award

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 will be presented in July 2025. Entries for the 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 $5,000 and the following songwriting and industry mentoring sessions, valued at $20,000:

a) One hour mentoring sessions conducted via Zoom with each of:

• Sammie Walsh (Beehive) - PR
• Paul Harris (Warners) - A&R
• Michael Parisi - Management
• Lorrae McKenna (Golden Grants) - Grant Writing
• Rachel Kelly (Unified) – Music Publishing

b) One day songwriting sessions (either in person or via Zoom) with each of:

• DNA
• Michael Fatkin
• Gary Pinto
• Evie Irie
• Andrew Lowden

Second prize will be enrolment in the twelve-month career development course ‘Songwriter Success Masterplan’ at the Australian Songwriters Conference (valued at $6,500).