Breakneck Records Songwriters Studio Workshop is returning to Kyabram from July 21 to 23, 2026, at the Kyabram Plaza Theatre, in partnership with APRA and the Winter Blues Festival.
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Breakneck Records Songwriters Studio Workshop is returning to Kyabram for a three-day workshop and concert from July 21 to 23 at the Kyabram Plaza Theatre, in association with APRA and the Winter Blues Festival.
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Workshop co-leader Michael Pallitt said the program would bring together up to 50 young musicians aged between 12 and 20.
“We run a three-day workshop, where we write original music over two days,” he said.
“Then on the third day, we perform a live two-hour concert of original music in front of a packed house of parents, friends, supporters and festival goers.”
The concert will be held on July 23 at 6pm at the theatre and is open to the public.
The program offers participants a direct pathway into the music industry.
Songs written during the workshop are registered with APRA, and participants submit performance reports to be paid for performing at the concert.
“If they are lucky enough to get one of the spots at the actual festival, they come away with real live infrastructure that helps them earn money through performance,” Mr Pallitt said.
“We are the only organisation that we are aware of in Australia that is doing that.”
Four participants will also perform on the Hopwood Gardens stage at the Echuca Moama Winter Blues Festival on Saturday, July 25 at 12.45pm and 2.30pm and Sunday, July 26 at 11am and 12.45pm.
Festival co-chair Lauelin Berick and the festival music programmer would speak to participants during the workshop.
EMFM provides daily live-to-air breakfast radio interviews for students, and has previously broadcast the concert live.
The program offers a direct pathway into the music industry, providing students with a supportive community and opportunities for growth and development, including taking part in the EMFM breakfast program
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Participants travel from across the country, with a group from Geelong attending for more than 10 years, and others coming from NSW.
“There are over a dozen different schools and three states represented in the cohort, and it just grows and grows every year,” Mr Pallitt said.
Mr Pallitt said the program had produced life-changing results.
“Kids turn up on day one from sporting country towns that don’t have music programs any more, and they suddenly find a tribe, a community and mutual support,” he said.
He recalled one participant from 2024 who was non-verbal at school.
“On the third day, she stood up in front of an auditorium of 130 parents and friends, and she didn’t just sing, she roared, and everybody wept,” he said.
“This is a transformational program.”
For more information, contact Michael Pallitt on 0415 869 658.
Any young person who would like to be part of the Songwriters Studio Workshop or to support them at the concert, sign up and buy tickets at breakneckrecords.com
The workshop brings together up to 50 young musicians aged 12 to 20 to write original music over two days and perform a live concert on the third day.
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