Jessica Lorraine is hoping to release new music early this year.
Photo by
KFRIZZELL
From Nathalia to the heart of Australian country music, singer-songwriter Jessica Lorraine, 28, will be strumming her guitar alongside 28 other emerging artists in Tamworth this week.
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Running from January 5 to 16, the intensive course is regarded as one of the most respected artist development programs in Australian country music.
Miss Lorraine was excited to learn she had been invited to take part in the 2026 senior course of The Country Music Association of Australia Academy of Country Music.
“It’s just such a great opportunity to grow as an artist and spend some time focusing on my writing and collaborating,” Miss Lorraine said.
She said was also eager to develop her knowledge and understanding of business and strategy.
Drawing inspiration from real life, Miss Lorraine said her songwriting often reflected her personal experiences, though she has begun exploring stories beyond her own.
Jessica Lorraine began playing guitar at 13.
Photo by
Megan Fisher
“Being able to write other people's stories is a really exciting new thing I’m experimenting with,” she said.
Music has been part of Miss Lorraine’s life since her early teens.
She began playing guitar at 13, teaching herself through YouTube tutorials after realising she wanted to turn her poetry into songs.
“I’d been writing poems just randomly because I felt drawn to it,” she said.
“I always loved music as well and I think poems were me trying to write songs, but I just didn’t know how to put music to them yet.”
Initially nervous about performing, Miss Lorraine began sharing videos online before picking up gigs around the community.
“So, from there, I really just said yes to every opportunity that came my way and started building up my music business,” she said.
Jessica Lorraine performs at Mooroopna Summer Splash pool party.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Today, Miss Lorraine performs at weddings, private functions, wineries, pubs and clubs across Echuca and the surrounding region, while also writing and releasing original indie folk, alternative country and pop music blends.
Miss Lorraine released her debut album, Looking for Something Else, in 2024, which was independently funded and supported with launch shows.
The intensive course will be supported by group leaders Simon Johnson, Gretta Ziller, Anthony Snape and Melody Moko, alongside a team of guest tutors and industry mentors.
“You get to meet so many mentors and teachers and I feel like I’m going to be able to soak up so much and learn so much from it all,” she said.
“It’s going to totally give me a bunch of new skills when it comes to songwriting and collaborating as well because I’m used to working solo.”
Miss Lorraine plans to release new music early this year, before returning to the studio to record new songs she hopes to write during the academy.
