Awards
Meet the 2026 FolkFedNSW Young Folk Artists
A massive congratulations to this year’s FolkFedNSW Young Folk Artists! We couldn’t be prouder to announce the 2026 recipients. We look forward to helping these artists over the next year take valuable steps in their musical journeys!
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Ruby Holden (Under 19 years Awardee)
An 18-year-old singer/songwriter from Queanbeyan, Ruby Holden is an exciting up-and-coming talent in the Australian music scene.
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Abby May (Under 25 years Awardee)
Listen to our 2026 Young Folk Artists
Hear Ruby performing her original song Traffic Lights, showcasing her amazing performance and songwriting abilities.
Listen to Abby’s song A Widows Breath, a beautiful song showcasing her angelic voice and talented songwriting abilities.
About the Young Folk Artist Awards
The Folk Federation of NSW offers two awards annually to support young NSW musicians presenting solo or group performance of song and/or music in a folk style. Two categories are offered, under 19 years of age and, 19 to under 25 years of age.
Each award includes $500 cash, along with a number of mentoring and performance opportunities over the year of the award.
FolkFedNSW is delighted to partner with Bundanoon Folk Festival and Blue Mountain Sound for the Awards.
The 2026 Awards presentation and gig opportunity will take place during the Bundanoon Folk Festival, 20-22 November. See the festival program for Saturday 21 November for the details.
Andy Busuttil of Blue Mountains Sound is providing a 3-track demo for each of the Young Artist Awardees. This includes recording, mixing and mastering.
2022 & 23 Awardees pictured with tutors & then Program Coordinator Craig Sinclair.
Meet Our Previous Young Folk Award Recipients
The 2025 Young Folk Artists
Lucy Beveridge (left) received the 2025 Under 19 yrs Award and Gabi Forman (right) received the Under 25 yrs Award.
The 2024 Young Folk Artists
Sam Fletcher (left) received the 2024 Under 25yrs Award and Ais O’Neill (right) received the Under 19 yrs Award.
The 2022 Young Folk Artists
Emma Foote (left) received the 2022 Under 19yrs Award and Sean Cooper (right) was the Under 25 yrs Awardee.
The 2021 Young Folk Artists
Charlie Gastineau-Hills (left) received the 2021 Under 16yrs Award and Bodhi Turner (right) was the Under 21 yrs Awardee.
The 2020 Young Folk Artists
Freya Peterson (left) received the 2020 Under 16yrs Junior Award and Felicity Dowd (right) was the Under 21 yrs Senior Awardee.
The 2019 Young Folk Artists
Allegra Dunning (left) was the Under 16yrs Junior Awardee and Josh Maynard received the Under 21yrs Senior Award.