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WAAPA prizes

Every year, we celebrate the achievements of WAAPA’s most outstanding students through the presentation of scholarships and prizes. These awards are only possible through the generosity of private donors, the business community, members of the public, past staff, alumni and various foundations.

These prizes and awards are listed below, along with information on how to apply.

Peter Hurford Award for Excellence (Performance)

The Peter Hurford Awards for Excellence will award a $10,000 prize to an outstanding candidate from WAAPA’s Performance program.

Up to nine candidates will be selected based on a combination of Weighted Average Mark (WAM), excellence in a unit, demonstrated consistent commitment, as well as Coordinator recommendation.

Selected candidates will then be invited to submit a personal statement and be invited to a panel interview, after which 3 finalists will be chosen as award winners.

The award winners will be presented with their prize of $10,000 each at the award ceremony, scheduled  to be held in August each year.

Finley Award Acting (1st Year)

This200 prize is awarded to a student in the Bachelor of Arts (Acting) degree (1stYear), who is deemed to be most improved, as selected by their peers based on vote.

Finley Award Acting (2nd Year)

This $200 prize is awarded to a student in the Bachelor of Arts (Acting) degree (2nd Year), who is deemed to be most improved, as selected by their peers based on vote.

Finley Award Acting (3rd Year)

This $200 prize is awarded to a student in the Bachelor of Arts (Acting) degree (3rd Year), who is deemed to be most improved, as selected by their peers based on vote.

Leslie Anderson Award

The purpose of this award is to recognise the most outstanding student graduating from the Bachelor of Arts (Acting) based on their Showcase performance. This $500 prize is presented to a final year Bachelor of Arts (Acting) student and assessed by a panel of judges from industry.

Arts and Cultural Management Leadership Award

Made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, this $1,500 is awarded to recognise teamwork and leadership within the academic and practical components of the Bachelor of Arts (Arts and Cultural Management).

*Winner will be selected based on top weighted average mark (WAM

Don Paynter Award

This $200 prize is awarded to the outgoing President of the Arts Management Student Organisation (AMSO) in recognition of their effort and contribution to the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

Peter Hurford Award for Excellence (Performance)

The Peter Hurford Awards for Excellence will award a $10,000 prize to an outstanding candidate from WAAPA’s Performance program.

Up to nine candidates will be selected based on a combination of Weighted Average Mark (WAM), excellence in a unit, demonstrated consistent commitment, as well as Coordinator recommendation.

Selected candidates will then be invited to submit a personal statement and be invited to a panel interview, after which 3 finalists will be chosen as award winners.

The award winners will be presented with their prize of $10,000 each at the award ceremony, scheduled to be held in August each year.

John Curtin College of the Arts Award for Dance

This $1000 prize is nominated and awarded by John Curtin College of the Arts to one of their students who are successful in achieving a place in Dance at WAAPA.

Dame Peggy van Praagh Award

This $200 prize is awarded to an outstanding student enrolled in the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance) who has show the most progress as selected by staff. Dame Peggy van Praagh was the Foundation Head of the Dance Department at WAAPA, she was an exceptional teacher and a tireless advocate for dance, leaving a long-lasting legacy for dance in Australia.

Dance Theatre of WA Award

This $200 prize is awarded to the student in the first year of the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) or Diploma of Dance (Elite Performance) who has demonstrated the most potential as selected by their peers.

Finley Award for Bachelor of Arts (Dance)

This $200 prize is awarded to the student in the final year of the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) who has shown the most progress during the year as selected by their peers in the calendar year of the award.

Finley Award for Dance (BA Conversion)

The objective of this award ($200 each) is to recognise two students in the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) BA Conversion course, who previously graduated from the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance), and who have shown the most progress during the year.

Finley Award for Dance (BA Conversion)

The objective of this award ($200 each) is to recognise two students in the Bachelor of Arts (Dance) BA Conversion course, who previously graduated from the Advanced Diploma of Professional Dance (Elite Performance), and who have shown the most progress during the year.

Leinster Award for Dance

This $200 prize is awarded to the first year student in the Diploma of Performing Arts (Dance) from a rural area showing the most potential.

Jazz Honours Prize

  • Made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Jazz Honours Prize of $1500 is awarded for excellence to a final year Bachelor of Music Honours (Jazz) student at their final graduation recital.

Jazz Recital Prize

  • Made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Jazz Recital prize of $1500 is awarded to a final year Bachelor of Music (Jazz) student at their final graduation recital.

Contemporary Music Prize

  • Made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, the Contemporary Music Prize of $1500 is awarded for excellence to a second year Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Music) student.

Peter Hurford Award for Excellence (Music)

The Peter Hurford Awards for Excellence will award a $10,000 prize to an outstanding candidate from WAAPA’s Music program.

Up to nine candidates will be selected across WAAPA based on a combination of Weighted Average Mark (WAM), excellence in a unit, demonstrated consistent commitment, as well as Coordinator recommendation.

Selected candidates will then be invited to submit a personal statement and be invited to a panel interview, after which 3 finalists will be chosen as award winners.

The award winners will be presented with their prize of $10,000 each at the award ceremony, scheduled  to be held in August each year.

Taryn Fiebig Award (Classical Voice and Music Theatre)

Perth-born Taryn Fiebig was one of Australia’s leading sopranos, famed for her dazzling voice, versatility, charisma and radiant stage presence.​

Made possible through the generosity of the Humanity Foundation, this new award celebrates Taryn’s memory and legacy by supporting rising stars who combine singing and drama to create magical theatre. ​

The Taryn Fiebig Award is a prestigious $10,000 prize designed to enable an outstanding student at WAAPA to undertake activities to benefit their professional development. ​

The Award is open to currently enrolled WAAPA students in either:

  • Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance - Voice) in third-year, enrolled in either PS5 (MUS3505) or PS6 (MUS3509); or
  • Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) enrolled in second-year.

The Royal Over-Seas League Scholarships and Prizes

The ROSL Western Australia (WA) Branch has long supported the aims of WAAPA by taking a keen interest in the musical education of young people. Through their fundraising efforts and donations from very generous members, the WA branch has created the following list of annual scholarships and prizes for outstanding music students:

ROSL Baroque Prize

$2,000

ROSL Chamber Music Prize

$3,000

ROSL Collaborative Performance Prize

$2,000

ROSL Contemporary Recital Prize

$1,500

ROSL Improvisation Prize

$1,500

ROSL Open Composition Prize

$1,000

ROSL Orchestral Composition Prize

$1,500

ROSL Original Song Prize

$1,500

ROSL Entrance Scholarship (Classical)

$4,000

ROSL Entrance Scholarship (Composition)

$4,000

ROSL Entrance Scholarship (Contemporary)

$4,000

ROSL Entrance Scholarship (Jazz)

$4,000

The Dame Mary Gilmore Award

The Dame Mary Gilmore Award, provided by Perth’s Karrakatta Club for the most promising overall final year female student in the Classical Performance (Vocal) course. The $2,000 prize is awarded to a final year female student in the Classical Vocal course, considering their semester one result in Principal Study their attitude, contribution to the course and support of their fellow students.

The Richard Gill Award (Classical Music)

Named in honour of former Dean of WAAPA and renowned champion of music education, Richard James Gill AO (4 November 1941 – 28 October 2018), this $2,500 prize, plus a $500 runner-up prize, recognizes the most outstanding performance by a final year Classical Performance student in the Young Performer of the Year competition. Applicants must be an enrolled fourth year student graduating from the Bachelor of Music (Classical Music in the calendar year it is awarded.

WA Opera Lovers Opera Aria prize (Classical Voice)

The WA Opera Lovers prize is open to all 3rd, 4th years and Honours, Classical Voice Students at WAAPA.

It will be adjudicated by Emma Matthews (WAAPA) and Helen Brown (Opera Lovers WA). Each entrant will sing one aria at this concert attended by members of Opera Lovers WA and their guests. The winner receives a $1,500 prize, and the runner-up receives a $500 prize.

Luigi Paolino Award of Excellence in Classical Percussion

The purpose of this $500 award is to recognise and acknowledge the excellence of an undergraduate final year student in the Bachelor of Music (Classical Percussion). Eligible students must be enrolled in their fourth year of the Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) degree course.

Mustang Award for Contemporary Music

The purpose of this $500 prize is to recognise the most outstanding student graduating from the Bachelor of Music (Contemporary Music) or Bachelor of Music Honours (Contemporary Music). Eligible students must be enrolled in the fourth year of the Bachelor degree or the alternative honours year in the calendar year of the award. Bachelor of Music (Contemporary) students have the option of doing an honours year as an alternative to the standard 4th year of the degree which is why both courses are taken into consideration.

*Winner will be selected based on top weighted average mark (WAM).

Warana Music Award (Classical)

This $200 prize is awarded to the best concerto performer in a WAAPA classical music program as judged at the annual Warana Music Award competition. The awards are based on a written application and audition.

Peter Hurford Award for Excellence (Performance)

The Peter Hurford Awards for Excellence will award a $10,000 prize to an outstanding candidate from WAAPA’s Performance program.

Up to nine candidates will be selected based on a combination of Weighted Average Mark (WAM), excellence in a unit, demonstrated consistent commitment, as well as Coordinator recommendation.

Selected candidates will then be invited to submit a personal statement and be invited to a panel interview, after which 3 finalists will be chosen as award winners.

The award winners will be presented with their prize of $10,000 each at the award ceremony, scheduled to be held in August each year.

Belinda Dunbar Award

This $1000 award recognises an outstanding third year Bachelor of Performing Arts student who demonstrates the ability to create new work and contribute to the cultural landscape of WA. Awarded to the student who received the highest average mark of WAM at the end of semester one of the final year and highest Mark for PMA2001 Principal Project: Solo.

Peter Hurford Award for Excellence (Performance)

The Peter Hurford Awards for Excellence will award a $10,000 prize to an outstanding candidate from WAAPA’s Performance program.

Up to nine candidates will be selected based on a combination of Weighted Average Mark (WAM), excellence in a unit, demonstrated consistent commitment, as well as Coordinator recommendation.

Selected candidates will then be invited to submit a personal statement and be invited to a panel interview, after which 3 finalists will be chosen as award winners.

The award winners will be presented with their prize of $10,000 each at the award ceremony, scheduled to be held in August each year.

Taryn Fiebig Award (Classical Voice and Music Theatre)

Perth-born Taryn Fiebig was one of Australia’s leading sopranos, famed for her dazzling voice, versatility, charisma and radiant stage presence.​

Made possible through the generosity of the Humanity Foundation, this new award celebrates Taryn’s memory and legacy by supporting rising stars who combine singing and drama to create magical theatre. ​

The Taryn Fiebig Award is a prestigious $10,000 prize designed to enable an outstanding student at WAAPA to undertake activities to benefit their professional development. ​The Award is open to currently enrolled WAAPA students in either:

  • Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance - Voice) in third-year, enrolled in either PS5 (MUS3505) or PS6 (MUS3509); or
  • Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) enrolled in second-year.

Julie Michael Award in Musical Cabaret

The Julie Michael Musical Cabaret Award was established in 2009 by the Government House Foundation to recognize the support that Julie Michael gave to nurturing and extending the cultural life of Government House. The $1,500 prize recognises the best originally devised musical cabaret performance by a second or third year student or group of students in the Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre) / Bachelor of Arts (Acting) or final year of the Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance – Vocal), or Bachelor of Music (Honours) programs at WAAPA. There is also a $500 runner-up prize.

Bill Warnock Award

Named in honour of the late Bill Warnock, this $1,500 award recognises the most promising second year Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) student. This encompasses class work, attitude and performance, contribution to the course, support of fellow students and performance skills.

Leslie Anderson Award

This $500 prize is presented to the most outstanding graduating Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) student based on their Showcase performances. The Leslie Anderson Awards were first presented in 1989. The late Leslie Anderson was the doyen of theatre critics in WA and wrote for the Sunday Times and The Australian. These awards were established in memory of her interest in and commitment to the arts.

Finley Award for Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) 2nd Year

The objective of this $200 prize is to recognise teamwork and collegiality in the 2nd year Music Theatre cohort.

Finley Award for Bachelor of Arts (Music Theatre) 3rd Year

The objective of this $200 prize is to recognise a 3rd year student in the Bachelor of Arts (Musical Theatre) course who staff feel has taken the most advantage of the course.

Leadership Prize for Advanced Diploma of Costume $1500

Leadership Prize for Advanced Diploma of Props & Scenery $1500:

  • Made possible by the generosity of an anonymous donor, two awards of $1500 will be awarded annually to recognise one second-year student studying Costume and one second-year student studying Props and Scenery.
  • The successful students will demonstrate leadership and excellent communication skills as well as other important ECU values.

Peter Hurford Award for Excellence (Production and Design)

The Peter Hurford Awards for Excellence will award a $10,000 prize to an outstanding candidate from WAAPA’s Production and Design program.

Up to nine candidates will be selected based on a combination of Weighted Average Mark (WAM), excellence in a unit, demonstrated consistent commitment, as well as Coordinator recommendation.

Selected candidates will then be invited to submit a personal statement and be invited to a panel interview, after which 3 finalists will be chosen as award winners.

The award winners will be presented with their prize of $10,000 each at the award ceremony, scheduled to be held in August each year.

Mustang Award for Sound

The purpose of this $500 prize is to recognise the most outstanding student graduating from the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production and Design - Sound Production). Eligible students must be enrolled in the:

  • Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production and Design - Sound Production) course in the calendar year of the award.

David Hough Award for Design

David Hough was a theatre, opera and dance critic for over twenty years. He was a massive contributor to the arts in Western Australia and played an integral role in establishing the WAAPA. The objective of the David Hough Award for Design is to recognise the most outstanding student graduating from the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Production and Design), specialising in Design.

The winner of the $1,000 prize will have the highest score judged by panel assessment of Design department staff based on the criteria scorecard.


Contact

For more information about contributing to prizes and scholarships at WAAPA, please contact:
Operations Manager
Telephone: (61 8) 6304 2116
Email: waapaoperationsmanager@ecu.edu.au

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