What’s Happening?
Wellington Point’s Casey Brown has been selected for the 2026 CMAA Academy of Country Music Junior Course.
Casey has been named as a singer-songwriter-performer student.
The Country Music Association of Australia announced its next group of young artists for the Junior Course.
The program will take place in Tamworth before Hats Off to Country.
Casey’s place in the course is supported by Music Australia funding.
CMAA Academy General Manager Roger Corbett said the applications showed the strength of young country music talent.
“There’s so much young talent coming through Australian country music at the moment and the Academy gives these artists a real chance to learn, grow and connect with people in the industry,” he said.
Academy Director Lyn Bowtell said the course helps students grow beyond performance alone.
“The thing I love most about The Academy is watching students grow in confidence over the week, both onstage and off,” Lyn said.
Why It Matters
Casey’s selection gives Wellington Point a place in a national country music development program.
The Academy has helped launch the careers of many Australian country music artists and industry professionals.
For Redlands, it is a strong local link to Australia’s next generation of country music talent.
The course gives young artists time with experienced tutors and industry mentors.
It also gives students the chance to build confidence, sharpen their skills and meet other young musicians.
By The Numbers
- 28 emerging artists have been announced for the 2026 CMAA Academy of Country Music Junior Course.
- 24 students will take part as singer-songwriter-performers, including Wellington Point’s Casey Brown.
- Four instrumental students will also join the course, adding more depth to the 2026 group.
Local Impact
Casey Brown’s selection puts Wellington Point on the map in the 2026 Academy group.
It also gives the Redlands Coast music community a local student to support.
Casey will take part alongside other young Queensland artists selected for the Junior Course.
Queensland students include artists from Wellington Point, Tallebudgera, Mudgeeraba, Robina, Black Mountain and Springbrook.
For Casey, the week offers a chance to learn, perform and connect with country music leaders.
Zoom In
The 2026 tutor team includes instrumental tutor Brendan Radford.
Singer-songwriter group leaders will include Brendon Walmsley, Aleyce Simmonds and Sarah Buckley.
Casey will join the singer-songwriter-performer stream.
That stream focuses on performance, songwriting and artist development.
The course is designed to help students grow in confidence onstage and offstage.
Zoom Out
The Academy continues to play an important role in Australian country music.
It has supported many artists and industry professionals as they developed their careers.
The 2026 Junior Course also reflects wider support for young musicians across regional and metropolitan communities.
The Academy is supported by the Australian Government through grant funding provided by Music Australia.
Music Australia is Creative Australia’s dedicated body for music.
What To Look For Next?
Casey Brown will head to Tamworth for the Junior Course in July, then the graduation concert at Liberty College will mark the end of the program.
