The finalists for the 2026 APRA Professional Development Awards (PDAs) have been announced, shining a spotlight on 61 Australian songwriters and composers working across classical, contemporary, screen, jazz, music theatre and more.

Thea Rossen. Photo © Andrew J. Clarke/Edify Media

Presented by APRA AMCOS, the PDAs are designed to create career-accelerating opportunities for musical artists at all stages of their professional lives. Thirteen recipients will each receive $10,000 to invest directly in their creative and professional development, with funds able to be used for workshops, courses, composer seminars, co-writing sessions and other development opportunities, both in Australia and overseas.

“The music was of such high calibre, and the level of creativity and thought put into how the funds could be used to support artistic and professional development was exciting to hear about,” judge Danny Harley said. “It speaks to a music community that is ambitious, considered and full of potential.”

The Classical/Experimental finalists are Eduardo Cossio, Gabriella Smart, Jasmin Wing-Yin Leung, Lizzy Welsh and Thea Rossen.

Eduardo Cossio is a musician and visual artist who works across songwriting, notated chamber pieces, experimental composition and sound improvisation. In 2025, he released...