Balya Productions

19/10/2026

Stoked for Letisha Ackland to be named a finalist for Best Live Production Crew at the 2026 South Australian Music Awards! 🧡

Nearly two decades behind the scenes in live music, and still just as passionate about the work, the people and creating pathways for the next generation.

Proud to be the only woman among this year’s finalists!

Big congratulations to fellow finalists David Musch, Luke Hancock, Nathan Smith and Ryan Martin John! 🫱🏽‍🫲🏾

📸 Shane Mankitya Cook | Photography

Photographer: Shane Cook, who captured this moment while working at the 2026 National Indigenous Music Awards.

Big love to everyone who continues to back and champion the work! ❤️💛🖤

08/10/2026

Support Act and Music SA have teamed up to host a special Yarning Strong panel at the Regional & Remote Music Summit 2026 in Mt Gambier, SA.

Facilitated by Letisha Ackland – Founder & Director, Balya Productions, the panel brings together:

Basso (Dem Mob) – Singer/Songwriter
Bec Gollan – Musician/Storyteller/Artist
Jay Gonsalves – Musician/Producer

Presented by Support Act, Yarning Strong is a gathering that centres the social emotional wellbeing and mental health of First Nations peoples working in the music industry. This session invites the broader music community to listen, learn, and connect through shared stories and lived experience. Featuring respected voices from the First Nations music community, the conversation will explore healing, cultural strength, and the importance of safe, inclusive spaces particularly in the context of regional music communities.

Location: Varcoe Foundry,
14 Ferrers Street, Mount Gambier, SA
Date: Friday 30 October 2026
Time: 8:30am - 9:30am

Please note: This session is exclusively available to delegates who have purchased tickets to the Regional & Remote Music Summit 2026.

Presented by Support Act with thanks to JB Hi-Fi, Creative Workplaces, the Tony Foundation, MusicSA

Balya Productions Bec Gollan JAY GONSALVES Basso Edwards

09/09/2026

Meet Joey, who travelled from Tennant Creek to Griffith, NSW, to join the Balya Productions crew at triple j’s One Night Stand 2026.

Through Balya Productions’ First Nations Workforce Development Program, Joey gained hands-on experience working alongside industry professionals on one of Australia’s major live music events.

Balya Productions’ First Nations Workforce Development Program is supported by the Australian Government through Music Australia, in collaboration with APRA AMCOS.

08/09/2026

Balya triple j One Night Stand 2026

Eight First Nations crew. One national festival stage. Hands-on, paid industry experience.

From bump-in to show day, our crew worked alongside some of the best in the business - building skills, connections and real pathways into live production and touring

Cheers to legends on this event 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼

📸 Odessa

28/08/2026

A little NIMAs reflection through the moments captured behind the scenes 🖤📸 Shane Mankitya Cook

Most people see what happens on stage. These photos capture a little of what it takes behind it.

The bump in, rehearsals, changeovers, problem solving, being gig fit, watching the clock, and those moments side stage when everything you’ve been working towards finally comes together.

After five years Stage Managing the NIMAs, it’s still incredibly special to stand side stage on Larrakia Country and watch our artists, culture and stories take over the stage and captivate an audience.

Creating space for more First Nations crew to be part of the teams that make these events happen is exactly why Balya exists.

We don’t just belong on the stage. We belong behind it too.

Proud of our crew. Proud of the work. Proud to keep creating pathways behind the scenes.

26/08/2026

Yas!! 👏🏾

Blakvine!
The Art House have partnered with NAISDA, Australia’s leading performing arts Registered Training Organisation for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people, to launch of a new training program, CUA40425 Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services.

The partnership reflects a growing industry response to a technical skills shortage as a new pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students seeking careers in lighting, sound, staging, production and live events.

NAISDA is currently calling for applicants for the first intake of CUA40425 Certificate IV in Live Production and Technical Services in February 2027.
Applications close 31 August followed by onsite auditions in late September.

Find out more and apply:
naisda.com.au/apply-to-naisda/

Image: Yillen Clement, NAISDA Mid-Year Show 2026 Trainee Assistant Stage Manager. Photography by Lisa Haymes

20/08/2026

First Nations Music Industry Review has launched

Check out the Support Act website for more information

The website includes information on 22 opportunities for First Nations music workers to engage and participate in the Review.

These opportunities comprise 17 in-person consultations nationally, 4 online consultations, the online survey, and an online submission option - all available from August through November 2026

19/08/2026

The Balya Productions crew are heading to triple j’s One Night Stand in Griffith, NSW this September!

8 First Nations crew will be working behind the scenes as part of the stage crew. The crew will gain hands-on experience while learning from and being guided by experienced industry professionals across live production and event delivery.

This is what the Balya Productions First Nations Music Workforce Development Program is all about. Creating culturally safe, real-world opportunities for First Nations crew to build their skills, confidence, networks and their experience on major stages.

A big shout out to HFJ and the wider production team and Triple J for getting behind Balya and supporting this opportunity for our crew. It takes industry backing and people willing to share their knowledge to create genuine pathways for the next generation coming through. 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼

15/08/2026

What does it mean to be Balya working at the National Indigenous Music Awards 2026?

Hear from the crew who’ve worked alongside us and experienced what Balya is all about 🫱🏾‍🫲🏼 Community. Culture. Connection.

Creating culturally safe pathways, real industry experience and opportunities for First Nations people across music, live production and events.

Shout out to Brother Shane Cook behind the camera and his assistant Latisha for helping us capture the stories and faces behind Balya. 🎥 📸 SCART

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Music Australia and APRA AMCOS, and is guided by our National Industry Advisory Committee, bringing together respected leaders from across the industry.

05/08/2026

Honoured to be announced as one of the first 25 speakers for the 2026 Regional & Remote Music Summit in Berrin / Mount Gambier.

Looking forward to joining an incredible lineup of industry leaders to share my experience in live music, workforce development, and creating stronger pathways for First Nations people in our industry.

Thank you to MusicSA and the Regional & Remote Music Summit team for the invitation. See you in October! 💙