Each year, the Gold Coast Music Awards brings together a panel of industry professionals who generously volunteer many hours of their time to listen to, read and carefully consider the hundreds of nominations received each year to decide the finalists and winners.
The 2025 GCMA Judging Panel is made up of respected industry leaders, including promoters, producers, songwriters, musicians, venue managers, programmers, booking agents and creatives. Each judge is assigned to categories that align with their professional knowledge and where there is no conflict of interest.
Below is the full list of this year’s judges and the categories they assessed:
Judges for Artist Categories
Artist, Breakout Artist & Live Act
Adriana Steele-Boyce
Andrew Very
Brad Hosking
Claire Carlin
Dani Teveluwe
Elizabeth Sharpe
George Carpenter
Josie Cooper
Justin Hoareau (*shortlisting only)
Karen Waters (*shortlisting only)
Lann Levinge
Leah Martin-Brown
Marlena Katene (*shortlisting only)
Mella Lahina
Omar Hanlon
Samantha Morris
Sarah Howells
Zac Fahey
Judges for Release Categories
Song, Release & Video
Adriana Steele-Boyce
Andrew Very
Brad Hosking
Claire Carlin
Daniel Carroll
Danielle Lo Passo
Elizabeth Sharpe
Josie Cooper
Lann Levinge
Leah Martin-Brown
Mandi J Windus
Marlena Katene (*shortlisting only)
Mella Lahina
Samantha Morris
Sarah Howells
Tara Hart
Zac Fahey
Judges for Specialist Categories
Musician, Studio Producer, Venue, Visual Creative
Benny D Williams
Brad Hosking
Dana Lowrey-Palmer
Claire Carlin
Eleea Navarro
Elizabeth Sharpe
Lann Levinge
Mandi J Windus
Samantha Morris
Judges for Gold Coast Music Prize
Adriana Steele-Boyce
Andrew Very
Brad Hosking
Claire Carlin
Dani Teveluwe
Elizabeth Sharpe
George Carpenter
Josie Cooper
Leah Martin-Brown
Mella Lahina
Omar Hanlon
Samantha Morris
Sam Lethbridge (Parker)
Sarah Howells
We’re incredibly grateful to the judging panel for the time, care and expertise they bring to the process each year, ensuring the Gold Coast Music Awards continue to recognise and celebrate the depth and diversity of talent within our local music community.