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.
Our Classical Awards
Since 1975, the Australian Music Foundation has supported young Australian classical musicians, conductors and composers in furthering their studies overseas.
We support advanced study outside Australia, most commonly in Europe, the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as other leading international centres of musical training.
Please register your interest for the 2027 Classical Awards by signing up to our mailing list.
read more
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, Proud Koa, Kuku Yalanji, Wakka Wakka woman Nina Korbe, this programme reflects our commitment to recognising talent, broadening access and supporting the next generation of musicians with respect and opportunity.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW CLOSED - but please register your interest for the 2027 First Nations Awards by signing up to our mailing list.
Save The Date: Our Annual Showcase
Australia House | Monday 30 November 2026
Save the Date: Australian Music Foundation Annual Showcase
Join us at Australia House in London for the Australian Music Foundation’s 2026 Annual Showcase.
The evening will feature performances by recent Australian Music Foundation Awardees celebrating the exceptional Australian musical talent supported by the Foundation as they pursue their studies and careers internationally.
Further details about the performers and programme will be announced shortly.
Please save the date — Monday 30 November 2026.
Our 2026 Classical Awardees
We are delighted to announce the ten outstanding young Australian musicians selected to receive our 2026 Australian Music Foundation Classical Awards.
These Awards provide vital support as our recipients pursue advanced training and build their careers in Australia and internationally. They are made possible through the generosity of our donors and the invaluable commitment of our major supporters: The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust, the Breen Family Foundation, the Donus Australia Foundation and Ida Lichter, whose Award is given in memory of David Constable. This year, we are also grateful to the Breen family for generously funding a one-off Special Encouragement Award.
Once again, the standard of applications was exceptionally high. Following a rigorous two-stage judging process during July and August, our panel selected musicians who demonstrated remarkable talent, dedication and artistic potential.
The need for this support continues to grow. Every donation helps create opportunities that can make a lasting difference to the development and future careers of these exceptional young musicians.
Meet our 2026 Awardees
-
![]()
Bella Marslen
SOPRANO
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
YVONNE KENNY AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
![]()
Bernice Chua
PIANO
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
![]()
Jane Pankhurst
CLARINET
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust -
![]()
Hayley Lau
-
![]()
Noah Oshiro
-
![]()
Max Wung
CELLO
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
in memory of David Constable
donated by Ida Richter -
![]()
Eklavya Mudgil
ACCOMPANIST
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
RICHARD BONYNGE AWARD
donated by Maestro Richard Bonynge AC CBE -
![]()
Lewis Blanchard
-
![]()
Raphael Masters
VIOLA
AUSTRALIAN MUSIC FOUNDATION
CLASSICAL AWARD
supported by the Donus Australia Foundation -
![]()
James Birch
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 register here if you would like to subscribe for information and updates about the 2027 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).
