LIFELONG Shire of Mundaring resident Elianie Watson has been awarded the $10,000 Robert Juniper award for the arts scholarship, supporting the creation of her second EP.

Known for her voice, the Mt Helena folk-pop musician has already released 11 original tracks, including her debut EP call my own, and has performed at HyperFest and Day in the Forrest, and headline shows and supports for local and international artists such as Thelma Plum and Drax Project.

She was also the Runner Up for the 2025 WAM (West Australian Music) Song of the Year.

The scholarship will fund studio recording, creative collaborations, visual materials and a live launch for her second EP, with singles set for release in April and July 2026, followed by the full EP in September.

With hopes set high, Ms Watson plans to submit the finished work to BigSound, one of Australia’s largest music festivals, in a bid to secure a performance slot in 2027.

“This project is an important step toward building a sustainable music career,” she said.

“I’m excited to deepen my creativity and contribute to the vibrant arts community here in the Perth Hills.”

At a recent Soiree held at Juniper Galleries to celebrate her award, Ms Watson extended her gratitude to mentors and collaborators who have shaped her journey, some of whom are previous award recipients including Annika Moses winning in 2016, Jett Biendurry known professionally as Kayps in 2023, and her former priest Chris Bedding in 2013.

Elianie continues to refine her craft under the mentorship of Annika Moses, and her upcoming EP promises to further establish her as one of the WA’s most exciting emerging voices.