Applications are now open for the 2025 APRA Aotearoa Mentorship Program, an initiative that provides emerging songwriters with one-on-one mentoring from established artists around the country. APRA AMCOS members are invited to apply today with applications closing 5pm Sunday 16 February.
The APRA Aotearoa Mentorship Program provides direct one-on-one mentoring to developing artists from established members to nurture and grow skills and knowledge in an area of specific need, as identified by the mentee.
In 2025 there will be 15 mentors matched with 15 mentees. The mentors will be selected based on their skills, leadership, and guidance capabilities, alongside consideration of the needs, plans, and demographics of the successful applicants.
Past mentors include: Amelia Murray (Fazerdaze), Angelo Munro, Arli Liberman, Byllie-jean, CHAII, Dianne Swann, Grayson Gilmour, JessB, Laughton Kora, Maisey Rika, Mark Vanilau, Melodownz, Reb Fountain, SJD (Sean James Donnelly), Steph Brown, Stephen Gallagher, Troy Kingi, Annah Mac, Buzz Moller, David Long, Delaney Davidson, Deva Mahal, Diaz Grimm, Emily C. Browning, Emily Wheatcroft Snape, Jenny Mitchell, Lavina Williams, Theia, Tiki Taane, and Tom Healy.
Previous programs have seen some wonderful partnerships and relationships built, as demonstrated by this feedback from our mentees:
2024
Lehali (Rosalie Norton) with Troy Kingi
I think the greatest benefit was the connection between the both of us making music/projects around indigenous storytelling and writing music for our peoples, communities and for societal change. It was so empowering and grounding to hear him connect with my music demos and want to support me and my journey. It was a perfect blend of mentoring, music listening and connection.
Absolutely loved this experience and so grateful! Thank you guys so much for this opportunity!!
Spdrtwnbby (Nia Vavao) with JessB
Most valuable lesson was for me to not doubt myself when I would be performing. To really believe in my craft and back myself with confidence so that the audience can feel that energy too and feel calm to engage with my music. Confronting my self-doubts as an artist was a good challenge, and I was happy that I had the discussion with an artist I look up to. Definitely felt I was in a safe space to share and face those realities up front.
Programs like this are awesome because you get to have a one on one connection with your inspirations - great fuel for someone like myself who is an upcoming musician.
Really appreciated being part of this, it’s been a key element in why I feel I have developed a lot as an artist this year so thank you!
Raging Flowers (Amy Wang) with Steph Brown of LIPS
I loved the opportunity to work with an established songwriter who has so much knowledge and passion to share. The programme introduced me to new perspectives that I wouldn't have come across otherwise. The most valuable lesson I got was to respect my own artwork. As a new songwriter with a lot of doubts, I often don't respect my work nearly as much. It was a surprising lesson to learn and the most valuable one.
The programme was definite the highlight of my year - 100% would recommend and do it again!! I only wished the program was longer. My mentor did an incredible job. Just a massive thank you to APRA for hosting the Mentorship Program!! It's the best!
Finn Johansson (Finnbar Johansson) with Sean James Donnelly (SJD)
I benefited from being welcomed into Sean's world and seeing how someone could make a living in Aotearoa from music. Seeing someone further down the track than me still engaging with art earnestly and not being jaded and seeing the genuine affection people had for him and his stuff was the best lesson in the way that it gave me something to be inspired by and refer to when putting together plans for the next couple decades of my career. I was also humbled by his unconditional generosity.
I had probably the best time out of anyone. Sean was an exemplary mentor. I appreciated the criteria for 'mentorship' as-is rather than making it more prescriptive, because Sean was able to be himself in his support and tailor the mentorship to his strengths.
Thank you so much for choosing me for this mentorship. I am reinvigorated in my career and this album is going to really slap now. Sean is the best.
Robyn Bryant with Stephen Gallagher
I really loved that Stephen set up two very different and important aspects of learning in the mentorship - one section guiding me through talks with a director and auditioning to compose a feature film (which I got!) and the other being a research project talking to industry professionals about their takes and experiences with film music and composers. It was awesome!
Niccolo Piccolo (Nicola Mitchell) with Byllie-jean
I think Byllie-jean and I were a really great match and would recommend the program!
Since the mentorship I realised that the kid's music project we created was something that I wanted to collaborate with other amazing musicians after having such a fun experience building this project with Byllie-jean. It led me to get guidance and support from people like Kommi Tamati, Theia/Te Kaahu (Em Hayley-Walker) and Claudia Robin Gunn.
I really do think that this was the perfect way for me to gain confidence in the early stages of my planning and was such a valuable experience to me.
Also, since writing with Byllie-jean I have ended up weaving so much more te reo Māori into the music that I write which has been so fun and has really levelled up my connection to te ao Māori through my mahi.
Haanaa (Te Amohaere Jefferies) with Maisey Rika
The most valuable lesson to me was about being able to whakawhanaunga (connect) really well with my mentor as well as understanding it took a lot of work and effort to get to where she is right now in her music career.
I felt very supported by Maisey through her checking in on me as I navigate through my first EP album journey. I also found the courage to ask her to feature in one of my new waiata and she gracefully accepted which I am over the moon about. Childhood dreams coming true if I am being honest. I admire her so much, she has been such an amazing role model since I was a child and now to be able to have built a foundation in our relationship as a mentor and whanaunga is very uplifting to have in my life.
Robbie Redvers (Robbie Karsten) with Angelo Munro
Honestly, the fact that I just had someone with some music/industry knowledge to bounce ideas and questions off was wonderful. It's not a resource I've ever had before, and Angelo made clear that that was exactly what he was there for. As a mentor, or even just as a sounding board, having a mentor made some challenges feel a lot smaller, as I didn't have to face them alone. The most valuable lesson I took away, was to give things time, and don't be afraid to sit on ideas. You're not missing any boats if you need to take some time to figure out your music.
Angelo met my challenges with patience and understanding and I cannot thank him enough for that. Angelo was an excellent person to be mentored under. Thanks so much for the opportunity. I learnt a great deal and ended up with a mentor that I can call a friend, and confidently keep contact and learn from going into the future.
2023
Mikaela Cougar with Buzz Moller
Just having someone to talk to in general about my project as a sounding board and discussing different ideas to another artist with things like releases, artist brand, art, strategies etc was so good. With the actual music, my production skills have levelled up so much thanks to Buzz, he taught me so much, I am way more confident in making a solid foundation of a track now. Learnt so many tricks and tips I didn't have before. And collaborating with him on songwriting aspects, it's so good to get a fresh ear on the tracks.
I was supported just in general with being able to discuss everything on my mind with another artist/music industry person with my concerns or uncertainty within my project and how to go about certain things like releases etc. Getting that support/insight/advice from Buzz really helped me feel confident, clear and calm about my decisions and actions moving forwards. The other area that was probably the most in which I advanced, was my production skills. I learned so much more about the role of each layer/instrument on a track. I’m so much more confident in my production skills and knowledge now!
Kayla Mahon with Jenny Mitchell
I loved working in this program!! I really felt like a fish out of water and having a mentor really helped me get on track again. I cannot thank you enough for the support APRA has provided. As an independent artist there is so many challenges to overcome. The most valuable lesson was almost everything, Jenny provided information, support and encouragement that I really needed.
Jenny helped with funding applications and how to go about them. Advice on who I could work with for PR and discussion about making a show successful. Support on working with band members. Direction on where to apply for festivals was helpful.
I really appreciate the time and support, it really is such a fantastic platform to help with your music career.
Greta O’Leary with Tom Healy
It was valuable just being with someone who I admire who has so much experience. It was so valuable, no matter what we were discussing, it is so high quality. I particularly enjoyed working in person and learning to really zoom into details together and having time to develop a rapport.
Tom was very supportive and helpful. It was particularly helpful mapping out timelines and realistic goals, and then getting his insights into my writing and creative direction. He had such a wide range of experience to draw from, from marketing to producing to songwriting.
So grateful for this connection, both for the mentoring itself but also for the relationship building with people who are leaders in my field, those relationships are invaluable and I'm so appreciative to have now connected with Tom and the relationships that are forming as a result of that also.
Jola Burns (Kahu) with Emily Wheatcroft-Snape
Getting to spend a day in the studio at Parachute Studios with my mentor, Emily Wheatcroft-Snape was amazing. It has given me the confidence to pursue other opportunities.
Emily and I had really good communication. We had some sessions over zoom, and then I went to Auckland to spend the day in studio with her, and it was brilliant. I learned heaps about vocal processing, EQing, compression, mixing, and mastering. This helped me finalise the production of our first three singles.
It's amazing to be part of a program like this - to make connections with people working in the industry - and to learn from different people. I highly recommend it, and feel very thankful to APRA AMCOS for this opportunity - it's definitely shown me that this is the industry I want to work in!
Michael Sutherland (SUTHERLANDSOUNDS) with Tiki Taane
The in-person sessions with Tiki were fantastic and definitely a highlight. Listening to and tweaking the 6-hour project for psilocybin therapy in the Tiki-dub studio, on high quality speakers, with highly experienced ears gave me the last ounce of confidence to push my project over the finish line after years of editing, mixing, sound-design and finally mastering.
What was even more valuable was really sinking into the project and engaging in kōrero with Tiki and really understanding the kaupapa and letting the heart of the project be the compass for how to spread it to the world. This included getting general advice on release, promotion and distribution and sparking the idea of creating a documentary for the project, which we are now editing! It was fantastic, I just hope more people get this opportunity.
I also think a big part of this projects success was the awhi, support and re-ignition of my motivation which the mentoring process ignited for the mastering/release phases of the project. Nga mihi nui APRA and Tiki.
Applications close 5pm Sunday 16 February. If you have any questions, please get in touch with Rita at [email protected]
How are the mentors selected?
How are mentees selected?
How does it work?