2026 Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award
We're delighted to share that entries for the 2026 Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award are now open — and we're honoured to be part of this initiative in memory of someone who was so deeply woven into the fabric of the Australian Songwriters Conference.
The award is open to APRA AMCOS members based in Australia who are committed to a career as a songwriter and have begun establishing a commercial body of work.
PRIZES
First prize — valued at over $23,000
A career-changing package of money-can't-buy songwriting and mentoring sessions with some of Australia's leading industry names, plus $3,000 cash.
Songwriting sessions with Andrew Lowden (Thrones), Ben Oldland, David Musumeci and Anthony Egizi (DNA), Evie Irie, and Gary Pinto.
Mentoring sessions with Andi Sherry (styling/art direction), Layne Buckley (publishing), Lorrae McKenna (grants/management), Peter Karpin (A&R), and Sammie Walsh (PR).
Second prize — valued at $6,000
A 12-month, one-on-one Music Career Coaching program with ASC's Lisa Butler — offering expert guidance in career strategy, skills development, and industry navigation to support a sustainable music career.
ABOUT THE AWARD
Established in July 2025, the Diana Torossian Emerging Songwriter Award honours the memory of the late artist manager, who passed away in September 2024. Diana was a passionate supporter of local songwriters and played a pivotal role in finding and nurturing some of Australia's most prolific songwriting talent, including David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii (DNA). The award was set up by DNA together with fellow industry friends Andrew Lowden and David Rosenberg.
DI AND THE AUSTRALIAN SONGWRITERS CONFERENCE
For those of us at ASC, this award carries very personal significance. Di Torossian was a supporter, mentor, and dear friend of the Australian Songwriters Conference from its very first event in 2008. It was Di who persuaded many of her industry colleagues to come and speak and mentor at that inaugural conference — and she never stopped. She returned as a speaker and mentor at every conference, loving the song pitching sessions and the chance to offer encouragement and constructive feedback to attendees. She was happy to chat for hours with any songwriter who wanted her time, and they loved her for it.
Di continued her support through the online sessions ASC ran in later years, right up until she became too unwell to continue — and even then, she never stopped working or caring about the people and projects she loved.
ASC Founder Lisa Butler shared these words on the ASC website following Di's passing:
"It would be impossible to overstate the important role Di played in the Australian Songwriters Conference… A speaker and mentor at every conference, she loved the song pitching sessions and encouraging the songwriters with constructive criticism, happy to chat for hours to any conference attendee. Di loved songwriters."
"Your legacy lives on in the songwriters you have nurtured over the years and you will always hold a special place in my heart and in the soul of the Australian Songwriters Conference."
— Lisa Butler, ASC Founder
We encourage every eligible songwriter to enter this award. It is a fitting tribute to a woman who gave so much to the Australian songwriting community — and a genuine opportunity to change the trajectory of your career.
"Di was such a cornerstone in Australian music and anyone that had the honour of knowing her and working with her will never forget how tirelessly she worked to shine a light on Australian writers, producers and artists. She was taken from us way too soon, but her legacy of uncovering and spotlighting talent lives on through this award.
"We were blown away by the response to the award last year, and on top of two wonderful winners we also made a lot of amazing connections for the other artists that submitted which is something I know Di would be so proud of."
— Andrew Lowden
KEY DATES
Entries close: Monday 15 June 2026 at 5:30 PM AEST
Winners announced Wednesday 29th July 2026
Winners will be selected by a panel of leading industry professionals.
