APRA AMCOS Reveals 2025 Participants Of 23% Mentorship Program
Fourteen women and gender-diverse songwriters and composers have been chosen for this year’s 23% mentorship program.
23% Mentorship Recipients for 2025 (Credit: APRA AMCOS/Supplied)
Fourteen women and gender-diverse individuals have been chosen for this year’s 23% mentorship program.
Presented by APRA AMCOS, the program is for emerging and established women and gender-diverse songwriters and composers within the music industry. Over a three-month period from June to August 2025, fourteen APRA AMCOS members will be mentored by a handpicked selection of music industry professionals.
Participants will be paired with their mentors based on their career stage, goal focus, and priorities rather than genre. They’ll spend time with their mentors over six meetings, with at least one in person. Each successful applicant will also receive $3,000 for work-related or travel expenses throughout the mentorship program.
APRA AMCOS has revealed this year’s impressive participants, and they are: Alice Hurwood, Ange Nishimwe (better known as ange-bella), Athanasia Sakoutis (ATHANASIA), Ayda Akbal, Doolie Shadforth (DOOLIE), Georgia Slater (Solly Fern), Kyah Parrott (Hayku Kyah), Layla George (Jean Elliot), Lucie O’Connor (Lucie Tiger), Naomi Geste, Nicole Issa, Roz Yuen, Sasha Gavlek, and Siobhan McGinnity (MAGNETS).
This year’s participants will be mentored by outstanding songwriters and composers located in Australia and abroad, such as Bumpy, Mo’Ju, KLP, Nat Dunn, Milan Ring, and Tammy Ari.
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Since its inception in 2018 (previously named the Women In Music Mentorships), 84 participants have taken part in APRA AMCOS’ mentorship program, including Annie Hamilton, Eliza Hull, CLEWS, Body Type’s Sophie McComish, Telenova’s Angeline Armstrong, and many others. Mentees have received advice and guidance from the likes of Claire Collins, Isabella Manfredi, Ngaiire, and VASSY, among others.
Karen Don, Head of Membership at APRA AMCOS, commented on this year’s program: “Congratulations to all of this year’s mentees! We know that getting into and sustaining a career in the music industry can be tough at the best of times, but for women and gender diverse songwriters and composers, it can be even more challenging. Programs like 23% are hopefully one small step in the right direction to support and achieve gender parity in our industry.”
Ayda Akbal, who will be mentored by Tammy Ari, shared: “Tammy Ari is not only an extraordinary composer, but also a fellow Melburnian who has been living and working in Los Angeles for many years. She’s trodden a path that I would be proud to follow, which makes our one-on-one mentorship particularly meaningful, especially since we are able to meet in person in a city that’s new to me, just as it once was for her.”
Athanasia Sakoutis, who will be partnered with mentor Kristy Lee Peters (KLP), said: “I think this mentorship is so important because it platforms incredible women and gender diverse musicians in an industry where their contributions are often overlooked. I’ve watched the 23% mentorship grow over the years, and every time I see it in action, I’m reminded that there are spaces and initiatives genuinely committed to championing and empowering women in music.”
Five-time mentor KLP added, “The 23% mentorship program is such a valuable initiative, it creates real space for honest conversation, skill sharing and confidence building. Having been a mentor before, I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it is when emerging artists feel supported and understood. I’m really looking forward to being involved again this year and continuing to help shape a more inclusive and empowered Australian music industry.”
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