Elizabeth Younan has been announced as the winner of the 2021-22 Layton Emerging Composer Fellowship. The selection panel declared the Sydney-based composer of Lebanese descent to be a “clear and unanimous” choice, awarding her a coveted $10,000 to write two works over the course of a 12-month period.

Composer Elizabeth Younan

The Fellowship, which aims to foster greater engagement in and recognition of composition and chamber music activities at University of New South Wales, is made possible through the financial support of Emeritus Professor Roger Layton AM and his wife Merrilyn.  Candidates are assessed in terms of their musical creativity, originality, and personality, and need to demonstrate a high level of craft, technical competence, care and professionalism.

“I am honoured to be the 2021-22 Layton Emerging Composer.” Younan said. “It is the generosity of Emeritus Professor and Mrs Layton and the Australia Ensemble UNSW which makes the creation of new works – the enriching continuation of the Australian musical landscape – an exciting reality.”

According to UNSW, Younan took the top spot across what was deemed an especially high standard of submissions. Her work was described by the panel as both “imaginative and technically accomplished”...