Expressions of Interest are now closed for Open Studio 2026. Keep an eye out on our newsletter and socials for other opportunities with MusicACT and Open Studio in 2027.
🎧Open Studio 🎧 | Monthly computer based music workshops 💻 | February to July 2026 🗓️
Facilitated by @grimtilla and guest producers TBC!
Across six Saturdays between February and July, Open Studio is a bespoke co-working space for musicians and music industry professionals to gather once a month to work on furthering their careers.
The 2026 sessions will run on these dates:
Saturday 28 February
Saturday 28 March
Saturday 2 May
Saturday 30 May
Saturday 27 June
Saturday 25 July
Facilitated by Anthony McIlwain (PKA Grim Tilla) and special guest producers to be announced, participants will be supported to develop their music in a cooperative setting, learn new skills for professional practice and discuss planning methods for creating successful events, promotional campaigns, recording sessions and music releases. Each session, time will be allocated for workshop / group discussion / sharing as well as dedicated working time. Participants will also be joined by a certified Ableton facilitator for program specific workshops and additional mentorship.
Participants will be encouraged to share their goals and achievements at the beginning of each session to engender a supportive culture of sharing and encourage opportunity for collaboration.
Due to capacity, Open Studio has space for 10 people to participate and will require an Expression of Interest to be considered. We encourage all computer-based musicians and producers to apply, with priority access given to those who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour), a person living with disability or as living in an low-income household.
Open Studio is supported by @ableton.
2026 Open Studio Participants
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Aurpan
Aurpan Kar is a young rapper, producer and artist based in Canberra, ACT, known for his genre-blending approach that mixes hip-hop, R&B and electronic influences with vibey, melodic soundscapes. His work ranges from catchy hip-hop tracks like Keep Me In Mind to experimental and dance-inspired singles such as BOOTH, reflecting a creative style that pushes beyond traditional rap boundaries and highlights his versatility as both a songwriter and beat-maker.
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Leila
Emerging from the nation's capital - Leila is a Country/pop singer-songwriter, with a unique tone & honest, raw storytelling that has proven to leave audiences craving more. Leila has set the scene for her music journey, opening for artists such as Bella Mackenzie (AU), The Eurogliders (AU) , Killing Heidi's Ella Hooper (AU), Fatai (AU) , Emma Pask (AU), and Nathan Cavaleri (AU). Performing in front of thousands, this emerging talent has captivated audiences around ACT, NSW, VIC & QLD.
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Mackenzie Sakaal
SAKAAL is an emerging R&B and soul artist born in Zambia and now based in Canberra, Australia, whose music blends emotive vocals with smooth contemporary R&B and soul, telling personal stories through intimate melodies and heartfelt performance. She’s been featured at live music events including Music in Exile Showcase and has won Pass The Mic Canberra, performing in the Sydney final, while also curating her own intimate live series like Lounge Room Sessions.
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Marcus
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Ophelia Sabine
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Ruben Hinton
Ruben Hinton is a pianist, keyboardist and emerging musician active in the Canberra music scene, often featured performing jazz, improvised and contemporary ensemble pieces in university and community music events — including ensemble concerts and student showcases at the ANU School of Music.
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Shethran Karthika
Shethran Karthika is a Canberra-based producer and creative organiser who’s active in the city’s live music and hip-hop scene. He’s known for producing tracks and beats online for local artists through collaborations and shared content. He’s also a key figure hosting and co-organising shows with local collectives like Bodega Collective and venues such as UCLivex.
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Skip Coble
Skip Coble is an Australian singer-songwriter and guitarist whose music blends rock and roots influences with honest storytelling about travel, friendship, love and spirituality. His work spans introspective acoustic pieces to foot-stomping electric rock, reflecting a wide emotional and stylistic range that draws on blues, folk and classic rock traditions.
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Varvara Efremov
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Winston Reed
Winston Reed is a Canberra-based DJ and selector known for bringing warm, groove-driven energy to the city’s dance floors. Blending disco, funk, soul and global rhythms, his sets move between classic cuts and deep selections, creating vibrant, community-focused dance experiences.
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2025 Open Studio Participants
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Gavin
Gavin (stage name: gavino) is an up and coming local RnB artist similar to the likes of Brent Faiyaz, Daniel Caesar, and Frank Ocean, with a unique blend of HipHop in his music. gavino is a talented pianist, lyricist, and performer with an intermediate experience in production. He possesses the dedication to spark the wave of RnB in Canberra, which he feels is soon.
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Mitchell
Mitch is an aspiring music producer, video game composer, and the lead vocalist in the Canberra band Salty Goodness.
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Prudence
Prudns is an alt-pop architect, crafting intricate, emotionally charged worlds from her bedroom studio. A singer-songwriter, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, she composes every detail, layering ethereal harmonies, kinetic drum samples, and field recordings into genre-blurring soundscapes.
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