The Freedman
Fellowship Awards
The Freedman Fellowships reveal the cutting edge of Jazz & Classical music in Australia today.
One of the most prestigious career-defining awards offered to musicians.
Applications are now open for the prestigious 2025 Freedman Jazz
Fellowship.
The Freedman Fellowship is a career-defining opportunity that recognises
and supports the next generation of leading jazz musicians.
The fellowship provides $30,000 to support the recipient while they
undertake a major creative project.
Applications are welcomed from artists under the age of 35, working in the
field of jazz.
Applications are now accepted through an open process, and can be
submitted via the Freedman Fellowship website www.freedmans.org.au
The Fellowship is intended to assist a musician with an original voice in
taking their next important career steps, for activities such as composing
major new works, making recordings, or increasing their exposure and
success through a significant program of performance.
Closing date for applications is September 1 2025
The finalist’s concert will remain a key feature of the program and will be held
at the ACO Neilson in Sydney, in November 2025.
Latest Past Events
Freedman Classical Concert
The Neilson, Pier 2/3 Pier 2/3, Suite 3/3a 13 Hickson, Dawes Point Road, SydneyAfter a nation-wide search for the most creative classical instrumentalist 35 years and under, three finalists compete live in concert today for the title of the 2023 Freedman Classical Fellowship.
Freedman Jazz Concert
The Neilson, Pier 2/3 Pier 2/3, Suite 3/3a 13 Hickson, Dawes Point Road, SydneyAfter a nationwide search for the best jazz musician under 35, the Vanguard of Australian Jazz compete in a thrilling finale for the title of the 2023 Freedman Jazz Fellow.
Freedman Jazz – Finale Concert
Sydney Opera House Bennelong Point, SydneyThe thrilling concert that decides the winner of the 2022 Freedman Jazz Fellowship. After a nation-wide search for the most creative Jazz Musician 35 years and under, three finalists compete live in concert for the title of the 2022 Freedman Jazz Fellowship
Jazz Fellows
“A brilliantly diverse set of musicians from the brilliantly diverse world of Australian jazz”
Dr Dick Letts, Director of The Music Trust
2022, Tom Avgenicos, Trumpet
2021 Hilary Geddes, Guitar
2020 Helen Svoboda, Bass
2019 Novak Manojlovic, piano
2018 Nick Garbett, Trumpet
2017 Emma Stephenson, piano
2016 James McLean, drums
2015 Tal Cohen, piano
2014 Aaron Choulai, piano
2013 Marc Hannaford, piano
2012 Christopher Hale, bass guitar
2011 Matt Keegan, saxophone
2010 Ben Hauptmann, guitar
2009 & 2008 No award
2007 Kristin Berardi, vocals
2006 Julien Wilson, saxophone
2005 Matt McMahon, piano
2004 James Muller, guitar
2003 Andrew Robson, saxophone
2002 Phil Slater, trumpet
2001 Andrea Keller, piano
Classical Fellows
“Classical music is a vital, pulsing and progressive art-form, thriving in the hands of these fierce young trail-blazers”
Sonja Lifschitz, pianist
2022 Katie Yap, Violin
2021 Kyla Matsuura-Miller, Violin
2020 Richard Narroway, Cello
2019 Rohan Dasika, Double Bass
2018 Oliver Shermacher, Clarinet
2017 Matthew Kneale, bassoon
2016 Stefanie Farrands, viola
2015 Aviva Endean, clarinet
2014 Peter de Jager, piano
2013 Lina Andonovska, flute
2012 Ashley William Smith, clarinet
2011 Eugene Ughetti, percussion
2010 Kristian Winther, violin
2009 & 2008 No award
2007 Timothy Constable, percussion
2006 Joseph Tawadros, oud
2005 Claire Edwardes, percussion
2004 Geoffrey Morris, guitar
2003 Tamara Anna Cislowska, piano
2003 William Barton, didgerido
2002 Karin Schaupp, guitar
2001 Genevieve Lacey, recorder
The History of the Fellowships
The Freedman Music Fellowships were conceived by Laurence Freedman, The Freedman Foundation and Dr Richard Letts AM. First awarded in 2001, the Fellowships are among the most prestigious offered to Australian musicians.
The Freedman Foundation is a philanthropic foundation chaired by Laurence Freedman, which assists young Australians in music and visual arts, as well as providing support to medical and scientific programs. Laurence and Kathy Freedman were made Members of the Order of Australia for service to the community, to medical research, the arts, and to business and investment in Australia. The Fellowships are managed by The Music Trust and administered by the Sydney Improvised Music Association.
Visit Dr Richard Letts website The Music Trust.