Vyvienne Abla is the director and founder of Vyva Entertainment, with over two decades of experience across the music and creative industries. Her expertise spans festival direction (including the 10-year-running 4ESydney), event producing, artist management and development, community engagement, and sector consulting.
Over the years Vyv’s work has gained international recognition, leading to speaking invitations in New Zealand, USA, UK, Europe and Middle East, all driven by her initiatives in Western Sydney and across Australia.
Her contributions have earned multiple awards, including the 2023 NSW NLMA for Excellence in Live Music and Western Sydney University’s Woman of the West Business Award in 2022.
A passionate advocate for industry reform and cultural development, Vyv serves on several advisory boards, including Sound NSW, Riverside Theatres, Shock Therapy Arts, the ARIA Hip Hop & R&B Committee, and the Community Music Commission for ISME.
She is also leading The Gathering, an initiative focused on assisting to develop a road map for a vibrant night-time precinct in Blacktown, bringing together creatives, businesses, and community leaders to shape the future of the area’s after-dark economy.
Awards
Winner
● NSW NLMA Award, National Live Music Awards 2023
● Woman of the West Business Award, Western Sydney University 2022
● Creative Arts Woman of The Year, Local Women’s Awards 2018
● Community Business Partnership for 4ESYDNEY, Zest Awards 2018
Nominated
● Breakthrough Manager of the Year, Association of Artist Managers (AAM) 2023
● Community Engagement, AAM 2023
● FBi 2022 SMAC Awards for Best Music Event – 4ESYDNEY & WARRANGU; River Story
● Outstanding Community Partnership for 4ESYDNEY, Zest Awards 2020
● All-Age Ambassadors Award, NLMA 2016
On the board of
● Sound NSW
● Riverside Theatres Parramatta Advisory Committee
● Shock Therapy Arts Board
● ARIA’s Hip Hop & R&B Committee
● Community Music Activity Commission (CMA) for the International Society for Music Education (ISME)
● Cumberland Council’s Arts Advisory Committee
Selected for
● Australian Women in Music Awards, SSI Arts & Culture Delegation 2019 (1 of 6)
● Creative Development Fellowship, Create NSW 2019-20: 1 of 11 (statewide)
● The Seed Fund Residency 2019: 1 of 30 (nationally)
● IETM Campus Residency, Croatia 2018: 1 of 29 (globally)
● Future Leaders Program, Australia Council for the Arts 2018: 1 of 19 (nationally)
International Producer & Production Experience
● Shubbak Festival, London 2017 and 2019
● Dubai Design Week, UAE 2018
● Hammana Artist House, Lebanon 2018
Invited Speaker eg. selection
● 33rd World Conference of International Society for Music Education (ISME) in Baku, Azerbaijan
● Community Music Pre-Conference, Georgia 10-14/07/18
● Engaging with Communities: Creative Pedagogies, New Zealand 22-25/11/17
● Inclusive & Cohesive Communities in NSW Conference 2-3/11/17
● LGNSW Conference: Integrating new elements/building in audience sectors for your events 18/9/17
● TafeNSW Bankstown Community Services Graduation 31/5/17
● French Parliament House 13/7/16
Qualifications:
● Bachelor of Business majoring in Event Management
● Cert IV Youth Work
● Cert IV Training & Assessment
● Cert IV in Small Business
● Set & Costumer Designer – NIDA Short Course
● Principles and Applications of HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points) – food
● Mental Health First Aid and Accidental Counsellor Training
● Domestic and Family Violence Accredited Skills Training
● Responsible Conduct of Gambling (RCG)
● Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA)