NOMEX has announced the recipients of the Top 20 Under 30 – Nordic Music Biz awards for 2026.

This year’s representatives from Iceland are Atli Freyr Hjaltason, Aurora DiRienzo, and Francesca Stoppani. They will receive this prestigious recognition at a formal ceremony during the By:Larm music festival in Oslo this September.

The awards are presented by NOMEX (Nordic Music Export), a pan-Nordic platform for the region's music export offices. Each year, the offices open for nominations, and an international jury reviews the submissions to select 20 individuals under the age of 30 who are honored for their outstanding contributions to the Nordic music industry. Iceland’s representatives on the jury were Agnes Hlynsdóttir (event manager), Soffía Kristín Jónsdóttir (co-founder of Iceland Sync), and Ægir Sindri Bjarnason (musician, publisher, and promoter), all former recipients of the award.

The goal of NOMEX is to strengthen co-operation within the Nordic music industry; together, the Nordic countries form the sixth-largest music market in the world. The Top 20 Under 30 awards support this vision by shedding light on the vital work of young professionals in the region, fostering international networking.

María Rut Reynisdóttir, Director of Iceland Music, notes that the Top 20 Under 30 awards play a crucial role in supporting young talent in the music sector and encouraging continued professional growth:

"We are incredibly proud of our three representatives this year. Each has made a vital contribution to the Icelandic music community, working with passion, ambition, and professionalism for Icelandic music and its creators. Their work often takes place behind the scenes, making it particularly rewarding to see them receive the recognition they so truly deserve. We offer them our warmest congratulations," says María Rut.

About the Top 20 Under 30 – Music Biz Winners

Atli Freyr Hjaltason – Vökufélagið

Atli Freyr Hjaltason is the chairman of Vökufélagið, an association dedicated to supporting and developing the folk arts scene in Iceland. Alongside this role, he organizes numerous events centered around intangible cultural heritage, including the Vaka Folk Festival, Sagnavaka, and dance evenings with the Reykjavík Folk Dance Society. Additionally, Atli Freyr conducts research into folk dance and music; last autumn, he spearheaded the publication of Danslög Jónasar, a violin manuscript dating back to 1864. The release was accompanied by workshops and concerts designed to inspire children and youth to engage with the material, learn the dances, and perform the music themselves.

Atli Freyr is a staunch advocate for the folk arts. He holds board and advisory positions within various Icelandic and Nordic organizations, dedicating his work to sustaining cultural life and passing heritage and art down to future generations.

Aurora Di Rienzo – Trúnó Music

Aurora Maria Sif Di Rienzo is an Icelandic-Italian manager and consultant. She earned her BASc in Arts and Sciences from University College London (UCL) and later an MSc in Cultural Management from Copenhagen Business School (CBS), where she co-founded the CBS Music Bizz Society in 2023.

Following her studies, Aurora went straight into artist management and currently works with some of the country’s most compelling young musical acts, including Inspector Spacetime, Lúpína, and RAKEL. In early 2026, Aurora founded her own management and consultancy firm, Trúnó Music. Shortly after launching, she secured a major sync deal with tech giant Apple for the band Inspector Spacetime.

Francesca Stoppani – Worship Bookings

Francesca Stoppani is an Italian event manager, accountant, and music journalist based in Reykjavík. She brings extensive experience from the European music industry, having lived and worked in Paris, Oslo, Bergen, Rovaniemi, and the Faroe Islands before moving to Iceland.

From 2023 to 2025, Francesca penned the regular column Filthy Interviews for the music and culture magazine The Reykjavík Grapevine, providing in-depth coverage of the Icelandic underground scene. In 2024, she founded Worship Bookings, an agency focusing on heavy metal and experimental music, and joined the organizing team of Andkristni, Iceland’s oldest heavy metal festival. Alongside promoting concerts locally and abroad, Francesca books international tours for Icelandic underground bands and assists artists with promotional material, branding, and public relations.

Other Award Winners

Denmark

• Luna Hernø Balslev (30) – Senior Project Manager // All Things Live Denmark
• Breki Adiel Stefánsson (26) – Co-Founder & Booker // Urban Breakout
• Sofie Juul Lind (30) – Head of Live Marketing, Nordic Team Lead // United Stage
• Carl Emil Stolpe (28) – A&R Manager // Universal Music Denmark / Island Records Nordic

Finland

• Iina Ahdeala (28) – Content Manager / Impact Team // Warner Music Finland
• Dante Correa (27) – Co-Founder // Below0 & Helsinki Music Week
• Emma Rühr (27) – Promoter & Agent // Fullsteam Agency

Sweden

• Susanna Boder (29) – A&R / Artist Manager // Monza Music Entertainment
• Mamdouh Elmchad (27) – Founder, Not Your Habibi // Digital Communication & Programme Development, Göteborg & Co
• Evie Bloom (29) – Senior Manager, Nordics (Artist Development & Commercial Partnerships) // AWAL
• Jonathan Haile (28) – A&R & Label Manager // Ada Nordics
• Linnéa Alouani (30) – Creative Manager, A&R // Universal Music Publishing Nordics
• Lili Rönkä (28) – Senior Manager, Impact Marketing, EMEA // Warner Music

Norway

• Fredrik Børstad (28) – Head of A&R // Toothfairy Publishing
• Imane Istaleb (29) – Head of Live // Kreatell, World of Walker
• Shirin Khademi (30) – Co-Founder & Partner // AirTime AS
• Ulysse Bonfils (22) – Founder // Distortion

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