Seven multi-talented female music professionals representing seven cultural backgrounds recently came together as part of SSI’s delegation at Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) culminating in a glamorous ceremony at the heart of Meanjin/Brisbane.

Founder of Australia’s bestselling rap and R&B publication, Simone Amelia Jordan, is set to join a stellar delegation of culturally diverse women artists at Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) to help foster diversity and equality within mainstream music.

He’s played to some of Australia’s largest music festivals, invented an innovative new guitar style, and even made it through to the finals of Australia’s Got Talent, but now Chris Tamwoy is returning to his roots, with a headline performance at one of southeast Queensland’s biggest multicultural food, arts, and culture festivals, World of Culture.

When Marina Poša, classically trained mezzo-soprano, was chosen as one of seven female musicians to attend the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) and conference last year, she was thrilled but had no idea how transformative those few days would be.

For the third year running, Settlement Services International (SSI) is partnering with Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) to turn the spotlight on culturally diverse female artists and music practitioners through the SSI Diversity in Music Award.

Touching down at Sydney airport Syrian singer and oud player George Karam looked at his wife, Hana, and their daughter, Atra, and said: “Finally we reached Australia, a place where we will be treated with dignity and respect.”

The spotlight was turned on Australia’s culturally diverse female artists and music practitioners earlier this month at the Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA).

For the second year running, Settlement Services International (SSI) is partnering with Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) to turn the spotlight on culturally diverse female artists and music practitioners through the SSI Diversity in Music Award.

The Australian Women in Music Awards is drawing attention to the accomplishments of our female musicians, who have traditionally been under-represented in parts of the music industry.

Settlement Services International launches partnership with Australian Women in Music Awards Settlement Services International (SSI) has partnered with Australian Women in Music Awards (AWMA) to turn the spotlight on culturally diverse female artists and music practitioners through the SSI Diversity in Music Award.

Over 350 women from across Sydney and communities worldwide attended the second annual Women of Diversity Dinner in Bankstown on July 29 — over 50 of them having been in our community less than six months. 

Renowned performers from one of Sydney’s leading world music groups will showcase the talents of multicultural artists and help to shift negative perceptions about multiculturalism in Australia at NSW’s leading festival celebrating refugee arts and culture.

SSI is excited to support Net Diasporas, a pilot internet music project that will enable musicians from migrant and refugee backgrounds in urban and regional areas to collaborate and perform culture specific musical repertoires online.

Multi-talented visual artist and musician Babak, from Iran, will collaborate with Ethernet Orchestra, led by musician and researcher Dr Roger Mills, for a series of special performances at the Parramatta Lanes Festival 2015. Babak came to Australia as a refugee and he receives support from SSI’s Humanitarian Services Program.  

Recently arrived refugees and asylum seekers from around the world came together with community members for a Harmony Day celebration held by Settlement Services International (SSI).

The 2015 program of the SSI Community Music Program for refugees and asylum seekers living within the community began in the last week of February. The sessions, which are based on creative music therapy, are facilitated by a registered music therapist (RMT) from Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.

SSI client Pouya and the Asbati Family performed an eclectic set of world music to an enthusiastic audience in Ashfield on November 18. The performance was presented as part of Ashfield Council’s ‘Frolic in the Forecourt’ – a series of free concerts and activities at midday on Tuesdays in the council’s forecourt, on Parramatta Road.

Asylum seekers may not be able to bring many material possessions with them when seeking safety in Australia, but many of them bring impressive skills. To give their talents an outlet, and so more people can enjopy them, Settlement Services International (SSI) an a Sydney music organisation have facilitated opportunities for a group of refugee and asylum seeker musicians from Iran and Burma. 

The musicians in Eddie Boyd and the Phatapillars didn’t know much about where the asylum seekers came from, they said, but knew they understood music. Eddie Boyd, Sandy Clarke and Andy Nielsen from the Sydney-based blues and roots band took part in Settlement Services International’s (SSI) first Community Kitchen Jam Session for 2014, on March […]