City of Clarence is thrilled to announce the recipients of this year’s coveted Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarships — with one student making history as the youngest ever recipient.
The recipients of the 2026 Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarship are:
- Xander Roberts (Elizabeth College) – new to guitar after years on bass, Xander is inspired by Chet Baker, Billie Holiday, Pat Metheny, and Tommy Emmanuel. His passion for melody, improvisation, and collaboration is fast becoming a jazz obsession.
- Austin Dickinson (Hobart College) – a pianist with a love of Latin jazz and fusion, Austin draws inspiration from Chick Corea’s rhythmic flair and inventive style. He is focused on building ensemble skills and sharing music that connects with audiences.
- Emilien (Emil) Robin (Taroona High School) – at just 16, Emil is the youngest scholarship recipient in the program’s history. A dedicated pianist since age 7, he discovered jazz at 12 and is inspired by Herbie Hancock and the freedom of improvisation.
- City of Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley said that the Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarship Program is one of the key pillars of the annual festival.
“For more than two decades, the Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarship has created pathways for young Tasmanian musicians to learn, perform, and be inspired. We’re proud to continue this tradition in 2026 as we celebrate our iconic Festival’s 30th year,” Mayor Blomeley said.
“Congratulations to Xander, Austin, and Emil – what an achievement to be named this year’s Clarence Jazz Festival Scholars. We can’t wait to see how they bring their own sound and energy to the Festival, and we’re proud to support them as the next generation of Tasmanian jazz talent.”
The Clarence Jazz Festival Scholarship program enters its 21st year in 2026, continuing its legacy of nurturing young Tasmanian jazz musicians and offering them the opportunity to perform, collaborate, and grow in a professional festival setting and receive tutoring and mentorship from some of the best jazz musicians in the country.
This year’s scholars were selected from a strong field of candidates for their talent, passion for jazz, commitment to their craft, and eagerness to grow as performers and collaborators.
The 2026 Clarence Jazz Festival – celebrating its 30th anniversary – will run from Thursday 19 – Sunday 22 February 2026 at Rosny Farm, with a packed program of free and ticketed events.
The scholarship program is an integral component of the annual Clarence Jazz Festival and represents a significant investment in emerging jazz musicians by City of Clarence.