Australian Music Foundation
supporting young Australian musicians since 1975
Australian Music Foundation
The Australian Music Foundation (AMF) is a charitable organisation based in the United Kingdom and Australia. For more than 50 years, we have supported outstanding young Australian classical musicians as they undertake advanced study overseas and establish international careers.
Through our annual Classical Awards, alongside scholarships, mentoring and professional opportunities, we assist musicians in the later stages of undergraduate education and at postgraduate level, enabling them to continue their development at leading institutions internationally.
In 2026, we are proud to launch our inaugural First Nations Awards — a dedicated initiative supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students studying classical music in Australia. This programme reflects our commitment to broadening access, recognising talent and ensuring the next generation of musicians is supported with respect and opportunity.
Since 1975, the Australian Music Foundation has helped nearly 300 awardees.
Some of our past awardees have gone on to achieve remarkable success on the world stage. Violinist Emily Sun (2015 awardee) won the 2018 ABC Young Performer of the Year in Sydney, while soprano Lauren Fagan has appeared as Gretel in Hansel and Gretel at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, and represented Australia at the 2019 Cardiff Singer of the World. Soprano Samantha Clarke made her Opera Australia debut in January 2024 as Violetta in La Traviata. Cellist Waynne Kwon was appointed Sub-Principal Cello of the London Philharmonic Orchestra in March 2024. Soprano Alexandra Flood (2015 awardee) has since built a dynamic international career across Europe and Australia.
Other distinguished Australian Music Foundation alumni include baritone Peter Coleman-Wright, concert pianist Jayson Gillham, conductor Jessica Cottis, saxophonist Amy Dickson, and classical guitarist Craig Ogden, one of the UK’s most recorded guitarists whose albums have repeatedly topped the classical charts.
Introducing our inaugural First Nations Awards
In 2026, the Australian Music Foundation proudly launches its inaugural First Nations Awards — a dedicated initiative supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander secondary students studying classical music in Australia.
The Awards are designed to help remove financial barriers and provide meaningful support through funding, mentorship and guidance. Created in collaboration with our First Nations Advisor Nina Korbe, this programme reflects our commitment to recognising talent, broadening access and supporting the next generation of musicians with respect and opportunity.
For further information and application updates, please register for the First Nations Awards mailing list.
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Our 50th Anniversary Showcase
Australia House | Wednesday 12 Nov 2025
Our esteemed Alumni and Awardees shine at our 50th Anniversary Showcase at Australia House
The Australian Music Foundation proudly celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a special Showcase at the Australian High Commission in London. Introduced by His Excellency The Hon Stephen Smith and Australian Music Foundation Chair Yvonne Kenny AM, the evening brought together five of our outstanding alumni and awardees — Craig Ogden (Classical Guitar), Emily Sun (Violin), Alexandra Flood (Soprano), James Emerson (Baritone) and Anna Rabinowicz (Flute) — each of whom has been supported by the Foundation at pivotal moments in their musical development.
Guests, including Deputy High Commissioner Elisabeth Bowes, Lord Alec Broers, Kathy Lette, and several AMF awardees and trustees, enjoyed an inspiring programme that reflected the depth and range of Australian musical talent flourishing across the world. The evening also included the introduction of the Foundation’s new mentorship programme, announced by trustee and soprano Samantha Crawford.
We warmly acknowledge the generous hospitality of the Australian High Commission and thank Kylie Minogue Wines for their support.
Announcing our 2025 Classical Awards
We are proud to recognise twelve outstanding young Australian musicians as the recipients of our 2025 Classical Awards. These Awards are made possible only through your generosity and the vital commitment of our major supporters: The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, The Goodridge Foundation, The Breen Family Foundation, Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE, the Donus Australia Foundation and the Lynn Foundation.
For the second consecutive year, we received a record number of highly impressive applications. The judging process took place across two rounds over July and August, reflecting the depth of talent applying for Australian Music Foundation support.
Demand has never been greater, and it underscores just how impactful your donations are in shaping the development, opportunities, and future careers of our Awardees.
Meet our 2025 Awardees
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Megan Yang
VIOLIN
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
OVERSEAS STUDY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
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James Emerson
BARITONE
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
YVONNE KENNY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
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Hayley Lau
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Anna Rabinowicz
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Emmalena Huning
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Lewis Blanchard
CLARINET
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Breen Family Foundation -
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Leanne McGowan
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Eklavya Mudgil
ACCOMPANIST
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
RICHARD BONYNGE AWARD
donated by Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE -
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Victoria Wong
VIOLIN
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Donus Australia Foundation
and the Australian Music Foundation -
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Bernice Chua
PIANO
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
TRUSTEES AWARD
supported by the Trustees of the Australian Music Foundation -
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Ella Orehek-Coddington
MEZZO SOPRANO
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
YVONNE KENNY ENCOURAGEMENT AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
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Josephine Chung
VIOLIN
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Lynn Foundation
and the Australian Music Foundation
Subscribe to the Australian Music Foundation Classical Awards Mailing List to receive information about our awards,
such as application dates and links to the application form.
Please click HERE if you would like to subscribe for information about the 2026 Australian Music Foundation Classical Awards.
Subscribe to our Mailing List
Join our MAILING LIST to receive news and invitations to our events (only 4 or 5 mailings per year).
