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The Whitsundays Songwriter Festival Goes From Strength to Strength
In 2024 we were thrilled to welcome to our professional songwriter faculty 7 time ARIA award winning Wendy Matthews, Queensland Music Award winner Jude York, America’s Got Talent & The Voice Australia sensation Johnny Manuel, APRA Award winner Mark Sholtez and Los Angeles Music Award winner Francesca de Valence to the region. In our 5 day songwriter residency these professional songwriters created 9 new works, some of which have already been performed publicly and recorded for release. Our professional songwriter faculty mentored local emerging songwriters during our one day workshop and performed in a Concert and Conversation event at the Whitsunday Sailing Club for the local community. Here is some feedback from our concert attendees:
“I am not a songwriter, but love the arts. It was so nice to hear the stories of the artists and their journey to making music.” - Mackay
“ It was a fantastic night with talent I never thought I would hear in Airlie Beach.” - Whitsundays
“The recent Whitsundays Songwriter Festival was nothing short of magical! Organised by the inspiring songwriter, composer and performer Karen Jacobsen the event brought together world renowned musicians and emerging talents - each sharing unique sounds and stories against the stunning Whitsundays backdrop. Diversity, talented, captivating and atmospheric. We are already looking forward to next year’s festival. Congratulations and thank you for bringing this event to our region.” - Whitsundays/Sydney
“Huge thank you to all involved with this event, partners & sponsors!!! The event was amazing... Can't wait to see what you have planned for next year... Great for the arts & great for the region...” - Mackay
“People missed out on an amazing night, is all I have to say.” - Whitsundays.
Our commitment to original creative work is made possible with your generosity.
SAVE THE DATE for our 2025 Whitsundays Songwriter Festival: Saturday, June 7th, 2025
The annual Whitsundays Songwriter Festival invites six world class songwriters to the region to mentor a new generation of local songwriters, create new work, deliver an emerging songwriter workshop and perform in an intimate concert. Co-founded in 2022 by Queenslanders Karen Jacobsen and Francesca de Valence, together with the Whitsundays Arts Festival, WSF has hosted songwriters including Toni Childs, Vika & Linda, Graeme Connors, Tia Gostelow and Mark Sholtez. Our residency and festival is extremely highly rated. We are proud to present our festival on Ngaro and Gia land, in regional North Queensland.
