Divas

Launched in 2010 by all-female, all-Aboriginal singers and songwriters, Divas was created for First Nations women interested in writing and performing their own songs.

“There were very few Aboriginal women performing music back then and we weren’t getting heard or supported through the mainstream music scenes. So we created our own group and brought in Shellie Morris as a guest mentor. There were five of us that first year and since then MusicNT has run with it and kept on supporting the Divas program.” says founding member Catherine Satour

Divas provides emerging female Indigenous singer/songwriters with expert mentors, practice and advice about writing songs or learning instruments, links to broader industry support, help with writing bios and setting up social media, etc.

Participants practice writing a song together, can bring in songs they have already written and can get help writing more songs during workshops.

The Divas annual workshop season ends with a public showcase giving participants experience in performing both solo and as a group in a professionally produced, well supported concert.

“I have more control of my vocals and more confidence to experiment as the mentors give me more confidence to push to new boundaries and be open to instrumental choices that can make my songs more unique.”

Shannen, 2021

“I loved the idea of writing my own songs as well as joining in with other Aboriginal girls and women and sharing all our music together. Women from Divas have helped support one another since then. We encourage each other at gigs like Open Mic.”

Tash, 2019

Desert Divas has been running since 2010 and the program expanded to include Saltwater Divas in Darwin from 2013. From 2013 to 2016 we also offered Barkly Divas. (links to each of the Divas programs).

Divas have released two compilation albums and more experienced participants have strutted their stuff at Bush Bands (link to Divas at Bush Bands not Bush Bands Bash page). Many participants have gone on to get their own gigs at festivals, community concerts, corporate and other events or to find employment related to music, media and the arts.

For more information please contact Liz Archer (program manager) at liz@musicnt.com.au or by calling (08) 8952 0322.

We are now celebrating over 10 years of deadly Divas!

Sep 9, 2022

Divas launched in 2010

Founding members Kirra Voller, Catherine Satour, Jacinta Castle (Price), Casii Williams and Kylie Sambo worked with mentor Shellie Morris.
Sep 9, 2022

From 2010-19 the Divas program has reached Aboriginal women across the NT

76 Desert Divas, 37 Saltwater Divas, and 39 Barkly Divas have joined our community!
Sep 9, 2022

Release of Desert Divas in 2012

In 2012 we recorded and released Desert Divas volume I, the first-ever compilation of original works by First Nations women.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2012 Catherine Satour and Jacinta Price collaborate with DSO

Two of our founding members partnered with Darwin Symphony Orchestra to have original songs arranged and performed by the orchestra in collaboration with Warren H Williams' Big Sky Country.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2013 Leah Flanagan, Catherine Satour & Jacinta Price receive internships with Sydney Festival

The three women work with Angelique Kidjo, Dianne Reve & Liz Wright as part of Sydney Festival 2013.
Catherine Satour also becomes the first Aboriginal woman in music supported by Artback NT to tour SA, WA, and the NT with her song Never Seen Anything Like It.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2014 Divas presented Gen2Gen Camp

This camp enables cultural and music sharing between generations of Arrernte women and girls.
In the same year, Jacinta Price takes her Dry River Tour through the NT, supported by Artback NT, and Catherine Satour is invited to perform at Garden of Unearthly Delights as part of Adelaide Festival.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2015 we partnered with Congress Alukura for songwriting sessions at their Diabetes Camp.
Sep 9, 2022

Desert Divas Voulme II is released
Sep 9, 2022

From 2016-17 three Divas are chosen each year for the Bush Bands Program

This program was open to soloists who would benefit from the week-long music development program.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2018 we partnered with Artback NT for Divas On Tour

This included 7 performances and community workshops through out the NT.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2019 we partnered with SugarRush Music

Divas Lena Kellie and Pele Savage joined young women from across Australia in workshops, and to have an original song recorded as part of Big Sky Girls Vol II, which was released in 2022.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2020 we adapted to serving the community online

When the COVID-19 pandemic arrived in 2020 we pivoted online and presented 6 live, online panel discussions. These resources can still be viewed on the Divas and Sista Sounds Facebook page.
Sep 9, 2022

In 2021 Shellie Morris was awarded an honorary Doctorate
Sep 9, 2022

Divas showcase as part of Alice Desert Festival and Darwin Fringe Festival

Our latest showcase was presented to a sold-out crowd at Brown's Mart as part of the Darwin Fringe Festival.
We’ve also presented showcases and brokered opportunities for First Nation women to participate in their own right in festivals such as Wide Open Space, Garma, Tjungu and Garmalang, and more recently in Parrtjima.