Gold Coast students selected for the 2026 Country Music Academy
Five Gold Coast-area students will join the 2026 CMAA Junior Academy in Tamworth from July 4 to 11.
What’s Happening?
Five young Gold Coast-area artists have been selected for the 2026 CMAA Academy of Country Music Junior Course.
The Country Music Association of Australia has announced its next group of young artists for the Junior Course, which runs from July 4 to 11.
The program will be held before Hats Off to Country in Tamworth.
Gold Coast singer-songwriter-performer students selected include Harlin Blackman from Tallebudgera, Jemilla Cunningham from Mudgeeraba, Jyia Blackman from Tallebudgera, and Tyler Lock from Robina.
Miller Moko from Springbrook has also been selected as an instrumental student.
CMAA Academy General Manager Roger Corbett said the quality of young applicants stood out this year.
“There’s so much young talent coming through Australian country music at the moment, and the Academy gives these artists a real chance to learn, grow and connect with people in the industry,” he said.
Academy Director Lyn Bowtell said the program helps young artists build both skill and confidence.
“The thing I love most about The Academy is watching students grow in confidence over the week, both onstage and off,” Lyn said.
Why It Matters
This selection gives Gold Coast students a place in one of Australian country music’s key development programs.
The Academy has helped start the careers of many Australian country music artists and industry professionals.
For local families, teachers and music supporters, it shows how much young talent is coming from Gold Coast communities.
The Junior Course also gives students direct access to experienced tutors and industry connections.
The 2026 tutor team includes instrumental tutor Brendan Radford.
Singer-songwriter group leaders will include Brendon Walmsley, Aleyce Simmonds and Sarah Buckley.
By The Numbers
Five Gold Coast-area students have been selected, with young artists from Tallebudgera, Mudgeeraba, Robina and Springbrook represented.
The 2026 Academy Junior Course includes students from New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania.
Students will graduate with a concert celebration at 11 am on Saturday, July 11, at Liberty College in Tamworth.
Local Impact
The Gold Coast will be represented across both major parts of the course.
Harlin Blackman and Jyia Blackman from Tallebudgera were selected with Mary Dean Scholarships.
Jemilla Cunningham from Mudgeeraba and Tyler Lock from Robina were selected with Music Australia funding.
Miller Moko from Springbrook was selected as an instrumental student through The Oliver Perry Scholarship.
Their selection puts Gold Coast talent into a national setting, alongside other young country music artists from across Australia.
Zoom In
The Junior Course will include young singer-songwriters and instrumentalists working closely with tutors across the week.
For the Gold Coast students, the course offers time to sharpen performance, songwriting and musicianship.
It also places them in Tamworth during a key country music period, ahead of Hats Off to Country.
That timing gives students a strong link to one of the country’s best-known country music centres.
Zoom Out
The 2026 group includes singer-songwriter-performer students and instrumental students from several states.
Queensland is represented by students from Wellington Point, Tallebudgera, Mudgeeraba, Robina, Black Mountain and Springbrook.
The Academy is supported by the Australian Government through grant funding provided by Music Australia.
Music Australia is Creative Australia’s dedicated body for music.
What To Look For Next?
The Gold Coast students will head to Tamworth for the Junior Course from July 4 to 11.
Their week will finish with the graduation concert celebration at Liberty College on Saturday, July 11, at 11am.
For local supporters, that concert will mark the first public milestone after their week of training, learning and performance development.