L-R: Lillian Fromyhr, Molly Jae and Sophie Edwards in the recording studio control room. (Image: Yun Hu/ANU)
The Australian National University (ANU) Community Music Centre (CMC) is excited to welcome two young First Nations singer-songwriters, Lillian Fromyhr and Molly Jae, to participate in the Recording First Nations program throughout June and July.
Funded by artsACT, the program is designed to engage First Nations artists to learn recording, mixing and mastering skills that can be taken back into community.
The two candidates were selected in late 2025 by Emily Thornton, a Birrbay-Dunghutti musician, writer and community arts practitioner, appointed as the program’s Indigenous Engagement & Impact Officer. Holding a double degree in Music and Criminology from ANU, Emily was appointed to manage program scoping, recruitment and communications with Indigenous participants.
Proud Yuin woman, Lillian Fromyhr, is a professional singer, composer, actor and recent graduate of the University’s Bachelor of Music (2025), majoring in jazz performance and composition. An active member of the arts community, Lillian frequently performs in theatre productions and collaborates with other local musicians, recently featuring on Young by singer-songwriter, L’Alexandrina.
Joining Lillian is proud Wiradjuri Year 11 student, Molly Jae. Performing under the moniker, Yiray – meaning ‘Sun’ in Wiradjuri – she described that her work “blends indie sounds with artivism – using creativity as a voice for justice, identity, and joy.”
“The Recording First Nations project is a fantastic, well designed and timely initiative that will address systemic inequalities in music recording and production,” says Professor Samantha Bennett PFHEA, ANU Professor of Music and Associate Dean of Higher Degree Research.
Research shows that access to spaces and equipment, and inclusion in production praxes, are critical factors to ensuring the participation and advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music producers.
Sophie Edwards (Image: Mix with the Masters)
Recording First Nations will take place under the tutelage of Senior Technical Officer, Sophie Edwards. A dynamic singer-songwriter and performer, and the first Australian to study a Masters of Songwriting and Production at the Berklee College of Music in New York City,
Sophie brings a wealth of contemporary industry knowledge and musical expertise to deliver a technically proficient, holistic mentorship.
The participants will utilise the ANU School of Music’s Yil Lull Studio; an all-Indigenous facility, coordinated and overseen by Torres Strait Islander multi-instrumentalist and resident recording engineer, Will Kepa.
Meaning ‘To Sing’, Yil Lull Studio is a safe space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians to develop their craft, with an abundance of equipment and tools to facilitate the learning objectives.
Will Kepa, Yil Lull Studio (Image: Jamie Kidston/ANU)
This program will deliver essential workshops, training and skills development in recording, production techniques, live music recording, and post-production.
L-R: Molly Jae, Sophie Edwards and Lillian Fromyhr (Image: Yun Hu/ANU)
The first few sessions are scheduled to commence this week, with additional teaching blocks over late June and early July. Both artists should walk away with an original song recording, and a host of new production knowledge to share with their communities and support their ongoing musical development.
We are very excited to support participants and to see how their projects develop!
Quotes from Professor Samantha Bennett, PFHEA, unless otherwise attributed.
Image Gallery
Lillian and Molly under the skilled tutelage of Sophie Edwards, supported by Will Kepa and Matt Barnes.