The Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz supports and inspires emerging South Australian jazz musicians to embark on vital career development projects.
“The opportunity provided by the Helpmann Academy through the Langley Award for Jazz is not just a privilege to receive but is vital in realising the full scope and magnitude of my original big band music by allowing me the freedom to explore the potential of modern beat-based music for this traditional medium.” – Harrison Smith, 2024 Recipient.
Jazz musicians who are final year students or graduates from the Elder Conservatorium of Music, University of Adelaide are invited to apply.
Valued at $7,500 and generously supported by the K&S Langley Family, this award provides an outstanding early career jazz musician or group with the opportunity to undertake pivotal career development projects, enabling you to take steps towards establishing yourself as a professional musician.
The award will empower an emerging musician or group to seek out and tailor projects that will provide invaluable opportunities for learning, skills development, or the resources for recording or touring, accelerating them towards their goal of a sustainable jazz career.
Harrison Smith, 2024 award recipient, graduated from the Elder Conservatorium Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) program in 2021. He is passionate about performance within genres such as jazz fusion and contemporary groove music, as well as big band composition/arranging.
“This funding from the Helpmann Academy and the K&S Langley Family has given me the opportunity to foster new and existing relationships with some of the finest artists, recording engineers, videographers and graphic designers in South Australia and internationally, which would be impossible for me to achieve without their generous support.” – Harrison Smith, 2024 Recipient.
Applicants must demonstrate excellence in their work and a rigorous commitment to building a career as a professional jazz artist. An important aspect of this award will also be knowledge sharing and you will be expected to share your experiences through public forums.
We are thrilled to support final year students and graduates for up to five years, from your official conferral date. Graduates and final year students from the Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) can apply for this award, provided activity takes place after your studies have been completed. Honours students from Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) can apply, provided your honours program has been taken directly following your undergraduate degree.
Check your eligibility here.
View the Information for Applicants to read application questions and further information. Interested applicants are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how we can help with your application. To book a 30-minute consult, please use our online booking form or call us on (08) 7089 0720.
KEY DATES
Applications open Monday 12 May 2025
Applications closed Sunday 29 June 2025 at 11:59pm
For activity occurring between 1 November 2025 and 30 June 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact Helpmann Academy (08) 7089 0720 / info@helpmannacademy.com.au
AWARD PARTNER
The Helpmann Academy Langley Award for Jazz, generously supported by the K&S Langley Family, aims to support and inspire our state’s most promising, emerging jazz musicians.
Image: Harrison Smith performing. Photography by Sam Roberts.