Speakers

Grace Newton-Wordsworth is a multi-disciplinary creative, educator and mentor passionate about inclusivity and community. She fronts and manages alt-pop band Joan & The Giants who have become a staple in Western Australian music. The band have recently performed at Bigsound with some rave reviews including “Four Artists defining Australia’s Next Wave of Pop” by The AU Review. This year Joan & The Giants have embarked on their debut headline East Coast tour, they’ve sold out multiple WA shows and won 3 x WA Song of the Year Awards which include Best Rock Song, Outstanding Indigenous and Runner Up of the Song of the Year with single ‘Cool Kid’.

Outside of her own musical practice, Grace teaches music at Music Rocks Australia, working closely with emerging musicians and people with disability to find their voice as songwriters and performers. Beyond music, Grace works as a film director and acting mentor, facilitating screen acting workshops at Perth Film School and Perth Youth Film Academy for young people and aspiring film performers. In her spare time, Grace volunteers her photography and filmmaking skills documenting Perth’s vibrant music culture as a live music photographer and videographer. Grace has most recently been awarded The Propel Youth Arts ‘WA Creative Contribution’ Award and nominated for the 2022 WA Young Person of the Year.