The Australian Independent Record Labels Association (AIR) has announced the nominees for the 2026 AIR Awards. A celebration of the achievements and talent in Australia’s independent music scene, the awards will be held at Adelaide Town Hall on 30 July.

The first nominee for Best Independent Classical Album or EP is Andrea Lam for Piano Diary, a recorded collection of her favourite works for piano featuring music by Chopin, the Schumanns, Melody Eötvös, Bill Evans and others.

Andrea Lam. Photo © Lisa Marie Mazzucco

The Australian String Quartet is also nominated for its recording of Australian composer Vanessa Perica’s First String Quartet, titled No Feeling is Final – an “exciting and exposing” step into classical music for the Melbourne-based composer and bandleader, notable for her work in the field of jazz.

Joseph Tawadros’s 23rd album, The Forgotten Path To Humanity, has also earned the oud virtuoso and composer a nomination. The album is a collaboration between Tawadros, Arabic violinist Layth Sidiq and percussionist Elyar Pashang.