Our Songwriting Courses

Diploma of Music with major in Songwriting

Bachelor of Music with major in Songwriting

Bachelor of Music with major in Songwriting

2 Years (6 trimesters)
Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane - Australia
Undergraduate

Covering the essential tools for writing music to appeal to publishers, record labels and producers across genres and media channels, this course will help you to create your own music and lyrics, develop your instrumental skills, produce demos and perform your own songs.

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Diploma of Music with major in Songwriting

8 Months (2 trimesters)
Sydney | Melbourne | Brisbane - Australia
Undergraduate

Through composition, arrangement, industry studies, harmonic analysis, lyric construction and technology – the Diploma incorporates an understanding of live sound and recording techniques.

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Notable Music Alumni

Little Green
Artist, 10 million Spotify listens
Earth Patravee
Singer/Songwriter, 50 million Spotify listens [Thailand]
Tim "Timomatic" Omaji
Multi-platinum selling + ARIA Award Nominee + APRA Award Winner
PANIA
Australian R&B Artist


Our Lecturers

Will Day

Head of Music, and Entertainment Business Management (Brisbane)

Gritty. Grounded. Heartfelt. A stand-out performer. From energetic tracks such as the single ‘Countrified’ to emotive ballads like ‘Simple Then’ (with Brooke Schubert), it’s no surprise that Will is making an impact on the country music scene.  2021 has been a wild ride, with single ‘Countrified’ added to iHeartCountry and KIX Country with the song reaching #12 on the KIX Country Charts and ‘Simple Then’ added to ABC Country, reaching #9 on the KIX Country Charts and #5 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Charts. Both tracks are included on Will’s debut album ‘Countrified’ and will be accompanied by a national tour reaching every state over the next 12 months.

Will has opened for the likes of Morgan Evans, Shannon Noll, Diesel, Hoodoo Gurus, The Baby Animals, The Black Sorrows, Col Finley and The Viper Creek Band while also appearing at  Australia’s most iconic country music festivals, including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival and Gympie Muster.

With a genuine gift of storytelling, combined with compelling vocals and the ability to connect with a crowd, Will Day is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier rising country artists and one that will undoubtedly be around for many years to come.

Will Day

Head of Music, and Entertainment Business Management (Brisbane)

Gritty. Grounded. Heartfelt. A stand-out performer. From energetic tracks such as the single ‘Countrified’ to emotive ballads like ‘Simple Then’ (with Brooke Schubert), it’s no surprise that Will is making an impact on the country music scene.  2021 has been a wild ride, with single ‘Countrified’ added to iHeartCountry and KIX Country with the song reaching #12 on the KIX Country Charts and ‘Simple Then’ added to ABC Country, reaching #9 on the KIX Country Charts and #5 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Charts. Both tracks are included on Will’s debut album ‘Countrified’ and will be accompanied by a national tour reaching every state over the next 12 months.

Will has opened for the likes of Morgan Evans, Shannon Noll, Diesel, Hoodoo Gurus, The Baby Animals, The Black Sorrows, Col Finley and The Viper Creek Band while also appearing at  Australia’s most iconic country music festivals, including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival and Gympie Muster.

With a genuine gift of storytelling, combined with compelling vocals and the ability to connect with a crowd, Will Day is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier rising country artists and one that will undoubtedly be around for many years to come.

Thomas Combes

Senior Audio Lecturer and Music Lecturer

Music has been a passion of Thomas' since he picked up his first guitar at the tender age of 10. Fast forward 17 years and Tom’s phenomenal finger-style playing, subtle tone and seasoned musical taste push the boundaries of what is possible on an acoustic guitar. His unique style of playing incorporates finger picking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a detailed wall of sound.

Tom has toured nationally as an in-demand session player, played on the main stage of several music festivals and has had his signature guitar playing recorded on several albums. These accomplishments have been complemented with his in-depth Audio Engineering and Production knowledge obtained through his degree in the Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith.

Tom now resides in Brisbane where he lectures Audio classes and teaches guitar at JMC Academy.

Thomas Combes

Senior Audio Lecturer and Music Lecturer

Music has been a passion of Thomas' since he picked up his first guitar at the tender age of 10. Fast forward 17 years and Tom’s phenomenal finger-style playing, subtle tone and seasoned musical taste push the boundaries of what is possible on an acoustic guitar. His unique style of playing incorporates finger picking with simultaneous percussion on the soundboard to create a detailed wall of sound.

Tom has toured nationally as an in-demand session player, played on the main stage of several music festivals and has had his signature guitar playing recorded on several albums. These accomplishments have been complemented with his in-depth Audio Engineering and Production knowledge obtained through his degree in the Bachelor of Popular Music at Griffith.

Tom now resides in Brisbane where he lectures Audio classes and teaches guitar at JMC Academy.

Simon Gardner

Senior Music Lecturer

Simon Gardner is one Brisbane’s premier rock guitarists and pre-eminent guitar teachers. He is also full-time Theory Lecturer, Guitar Tutor and Ensemble Coordinator at JMC Academy Brisbane. As an artist, Simon has 5 albums and 3 singles . His most recent releases “You Know Why I Asked You Here” and “Reflections on a Winter Sky” are featured in Australian Musician online Magazine and Candyrat Records Youtube channel.

Simon also performs regularly across a range of styles as a freelance guitarist and is Musical Director for theatre rock shows, "Good Morning Vietnam - Music from the Vietnam War Era" and "Simon Gardner's Classic Rock Legends"

Simon Gardner

Senior Music Lecturer

Simon Gardner is one Brisbane’s premier rock guitarists and pre-eminent guitar teachers. He is also full-time Theory Lecturer, Guitar Tutor and Ensemble Coordinator at JMC Academy Brisbane. As an artist, Simon has 5 albums and 3 singles . His most recent releases “You Know Why I Asked You Here” and “Reflections on a Winter Sky” are featured in Australian Musician online Magazine and Candyrat Records Youtube channel.

Simon also performs regularly across a range of styles as a freelance guitarist and is Musical Director for theatre rock shows, "Good Morning Vietnam - Music from the Vietnam War Era" and "Simon Gardner's Classic Rock Legends"

Shannon Brown

Senior Music Lecturer

Former tenor and Musical Director for the internationally acclaimed group The Ten Tenors, Shannon toured full-time for six years, performing an average of 250 shows per year across five continents.

Recorded a Platinum-selling album 'Here's To The Heroes' at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra and launched the album performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Shannon has recorded with Sting’s guitarist, Dominic Miller. American drummer, Vinnie Colaiuta. ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ lyricist, Don Black OBE, and Academy Award & Golden Globe winner, John Barry OBE.

Shannon has worked with Australia’s Guy Sebastian and Paulini Curuenavuli. John Foreman OAM, Chong Lim AM, James Morrison AM & Producer, Ken Laing AM. He has toured with Country star Jasmine Rae and been the Musical Director for the 2013 winner of The Voice, Harrison Craig.

Shannon continues to work with Australia’s Got Talent Winner, Mark Vincent, as his Musical Director for over 11 years.

Shannon Brown

Senior Music Lecturer

Former tenor and Musical Director for the internationally acclaimed group The Ten Tenors, Shannon toured full-time for six years, performing an average of 250 shows per year across five continents.

Recorded a Platinum-selling album 'Here's To The Heroes' at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra and launched the album performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Shannon has recorded with Sting’s guitarist, Dominic Miller. American drummer, Vinnie Colaiuta. ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ lyricist, Don Black OBE, and Academy Award & Golden Globe winner, John Barry OBE.

Shannon has worked with Australia’s Guy Sebastian and Paulini Curuenavuli. John Foreman OAM, Chong Lim AM, James Morrison AM & Producer, Ken Laing AM. He has toured with Country star Jasmine Rae and been the Musical Director for the 2013 winner of The Voice, Harrison Craig.

Shannon continues to work with Australia’s Got Talent Winner, Mark Vincent, as his Musical Director for over 11 years.

Matt Walker

Music Lecturer

Matt Walker is one of the most respected musicians on the Australian scene. His work as a songwriter, guitarist, producer and composer is credited on dozens of albums, films and documentary scores, and among his peers he enjoys the status of a true cult legend. He has toured with people such as Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Dirty Three, Nick Cave, Tony Joe White, Cat Power, The Black Keys and Joe Cocker. Matt has also written, recorded and performed with an eclectic bunch of outstanding artists including Brod Smith, Mick Harvey, Rob Hirst and Jim Mogine (both from Midnight Oil), Archie Roach, Tex Perkins, Kim Salmon, Henry Wagons and Ashley Davies...the list goes on. His commitment to other projects has, at times overshadowed his own work, but he has nevertheless won an ARIA award for his music, and it goes without saying that, within the Australian music industry, there is much respect for Matt Walker.

Although Matt may currently be found out front of the band, Lost Ragas, a collective of songwriters, he still ventures out to play in solo mode. Experimenting with guitar improvisation and often taking his songs out into cinematic realms. His latest solo album 'In Echoes of Dawn' is a stunning, uplifting piece of work that moves from swamp-soul through to harmony-rich country blues and lilting piano-driven balladry. Matt's voice is haunting, effortless and pure and his songwriting here is nothing short of a revelation.

Matt Walker

Music Lecturer

Matt Walker is one of the most respected musicians on the Australian scene. His work as a songwriter, guitarist, producer and composer is credited on dozens of albums, films and documentary scores, and among his peers he enjoys the status of a true cult legend. He has toured with people such as Bob Dylan, Patti Smith, Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, Dirty Three, Nick Cave, Tony Joe White, Cat Power, The Black Keys and Joe Cocker. Matt has also written, recorded and performed with an eclectic bunch of outstanding artists including Brod Smith, Mick Harvey, Rob Hirst and Jim Mogine (both from Midnight Oil), Archie Roach, Tex Perkins, Kim Salmon, Henry Wagons and Ashley Davies...the list goes on. His commitment to other projects has, at times overshadowed his own work, but he has nevertheless won an ARIA award for his music, and it goes without saying that, within the Australian music industry, there is much respect for Matt Walker.

Although Matt may currently be found out front of the band, Lost Ragas, a collective of songwriters, he still ventures out to play in solo mode. Experimenting with guitar improvisation and often taking his songs out into cinematic realms. His latest solo album 'In Echoes of Dawn' is a stunning, uplifting piece of work that moves from swamp-soul through to harmony-rich country blues and lilting piano-driven balladry. Matt's voice is haunting, effortless and pure and his songwriting here is nothing short of a revelation.

Kemo Bunguric

Head of Music (Sydney)

Kemo’s teaching methods and influence reflect his own passion and extensive skills in composition, arranging and music technology, especially since he is a piano accordion virtuoso and an Australasian Accordion Champion.

By the age of 13, Kemo had learned early on how important it was to market one’s self as a musician, a concept which he aims to instil in his students. Kemo ensures that his students understand how to develop themselves as well-rounded musicians and teaches them the importance of being progressive within the industry.

Kemo Bunguric

Head of Music (Sydney)

Kemo’s teaching methods and influence reflect his own passion and extensive skills in composition, arranging and music technology, especially since he is a piano accordion virtuoso and an Australasian Accordion Champion.

By the age of 13, Kemo had learned early on how important it was to market one’s self as a musician, a concept which he aims to instil in his students. Kemo ensures that his students understand how to develop themselves as well-rounded musicians and teaches them the importance of being progressive within the industry.

James O'Brien

Head of Music (Melbourne)

James graduated with a Bachelor of Music (performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2001 and immediately began work as a touring musician successfully traversing the jazz and popular music worlds. With modern piano trio Misinterprotato, James toured around Australia, the U.S., Canada and Japan and contributed to the group's first two releases through the Melbourne based Jazzhead label.

As singer and songwriter in Brisbane-Melbourne based indie-pop group The Boat People, James has released three albums, toured the U.S. 8 times (including two trips to SXSW), the U.K. twice and supported many outstanding Australian and International acts including Powderfinger, Crowded House and The Shins. The Boat People have had 8 songs playlisted on national radio station Triple J and in 2007 James signed a publishing deal with Ivy League/Mushroom which has seen his songs used extensively in television and film.

In 2012, James co-wrote and sung the breakout single "Half of It" for producer duo YesYou which received high rotation radio play on Triple J. James currently works as touring bass player with avant-folk group Machine Translations and songstress Kate Miller-Heidke. With his new group Darling James, he produced and music directed the "8 First Dates" event at the 2014 Melbourne Fringe which featured guests Ainslie Wills, Angie Hart (Frente), Jae Laffer (The Panics) and many others. Darling James are about to release their debut single and recently opened for legendary Australian group, The Church.

James O'Brien

Head of Music (Melbourne)

James graduated with a Bachelor of Music (performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2001 and immediately began work as a touring musician successfully traversing the jazz and popular music worlds. With modern piano trio Misinterprotato, James toured around Australia, the U.S., Canada and Japan and contributed to the group's first two releases through the Melbourne based Jazzhead label.

As singer and songwriter in Brisbane-Melbourne based indie-pop group The Boat People, James has released three albums, toured the U.S. 8 times (including two trips to SXSW), the U.K. twice and supported many outstanding Australian and International acts including Powderfinger, Crowded House and The Shins. The Boat People have had 8 songs playlisted on national radio station Triple J and in 2007 James signed a publishing deal with Ivy League/Mushroom which has seen his songs used extensively in television and film.

In 2012, James co-wrote and sung the breakout single "Half of It" for producer duo YesYou which received high rotation radio play on Triple J. James currently works as touring bass player with avant-folk group Machine Translations and songstress Kate Miller-Heidke. With his new group Darling James, he produced and music directed the "8 First Dates" event at the 2014 Melbourne Fringe which featured guests Ainslie Wills, Angie Hart (Frente), Jae Laffer (The Panics) and many others. Darling James are about to release their debut single and recently opened for legendary Australian group, The Church.

Chloe Harrison

Ensemble Coordinator

Previously hailing from Sydney, Chloe Harrison is now a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, producer, composer, and voice actor.

Chloe started her career young, starting voice acting at 6 years old, working on hundreds of advertising campaigns for TV, radio, and cinema, as well as two seasons of an animated series that was aired internationally. She later moved towards music, starting work as a session singer.


After completing her undergraduate degree in Composition and Production, she started her own production company, in the first year recording 3 albums, 4 EP’s and several singles for independent artists in both Sydney and Rural NSW. She then embarked on her post-graduate studies in composition, while lecturing, performing, and working as a producer.

More recently, she has moved into working as a composer, sound designer, and voice actor for video games, while continuously working on her own original music.

Chloe Harrison

Ensemble Coordinator

Previously hailing from Sydney, Chloe Harrison is now a Melbourne-based singer-songwriter, producer, composer, and voice actor.

Chloe started her career young, starting voice acting at 6 years old, working on hundreds of advertising campaigns for TV, radio, and cinema, as well as two seasons of an animated series that was aired internationally. She later moved towards music, starting work as a session singer.


After completing her undergraduate degree in Composition and Production, she started her own production company, in the first year recording 3 albums, 4 EP’s and several singles for independent artists in both Sydney and Rural NSW. She then embarked on her post-graduate studies in composition, while lecturing, performing, and working as a producer.

More recently, she has moved into working as a composer, sound designer, and voice actor for video games, while continuously working on her own original music.

Cassandra Long

Music Lecturer

Cassie is an indie folk singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocal pedagogist based in Sydney. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music, concentrated in Songwriting and Music Production, from Berklee College of Music, she aims to help her students hone all aspects of their craft and amplify their artistry.

Cassandra Long

Music Lecturer

Cassie is an indie folk singer/songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and vocal pedagogist based in Sydney. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Music, concentrated in Songwriting and Music Production, from Berklee College of Music, she aims to help her students hone all aspects of their craft and amplify their artistry.

Cameron Bower

Senior Music Lecturer

Cameron Bower is a composer, producer, songwriter and improvising musician from Brisbane. His principle projects include work with Big Dead (2010 -) and Milk Buttons (2015 -) and is the artistic director and principle composer for New Music/Jazz ensemble Cowbird (2016 -).

As a composer he works within a world of improvised and composed forms, electronic and rock music, synthesising his tendency towards jazz and improvised music with the formal structures of contemporary classical idioms and techniques. As a producer he works in electronic/ambient and alternative rock contexts.

Cam teaches composition, piano and guitar as part of the Browning Street Music and Dance Teachers cooperative and works as a Sessional Academic at QUT and JMC lecturing on topics from music theory and composition to history and aural studies.

Cameron Bower

Senior Music Lecturer

Cameron Bower is a composer, producer, songwriter and improvising musician from Brisbane. His principle projects include work with Big Dead (2010 -) and Milk Buttons (2015 -) and is the artistic director and principle composer for New Music/Jazz ensemble Cowbird (2016 -).

As a composer he works within a world of improvised and composed forms, electronic and rock music, synthesising his tendency towards jazz and improvised music with the formal structures of contemporary classical idioms and techniques. As a producer he works in electronic/ambient and alternative rock contexts.

Cam teaches composition, piano and guitar as part of the Browning Street Music and Dance Teachers cooperative and works as a Sessional Academic at QUT and JMC lecturing on topics from music theory and composition to history and aural studies.



FAQs

This depends on what outcome you want to work towards, what career you want to ultimately pursue and where your passion lies. If you see yourself performing your music to a live audience and are excited about the thought of doing so then Contemporary Music Performance might be the way to go. Keep in mind that the Bachelor Degree in Contemporary Music Performance does teach two units in Songwriting.

If you love the idea of composing, creating, and telling stories through your music and you're not comfortable with the thought of performing in front of an audience then the song writing course may be a better option for you. 

Of course, if you decide to study the Songwriting course, there will be plenty of opportunities for you to perform on your own or within an ensemble.

No, our courses are hands on and practical. Students are required to attend classes to receive ongoing mentorship, learn new skills and work with the equipment provided. We do encourage our students to use online study resources, however our courses would not be as immersive as they are without the practical component.

Yes. However, for those with little or no theory background, we'll teach you what you need to know from the ground up. We also offer a program during orientation week which provides a crash course to help you get started if theory isn’t your strong point.  

This depends where your passion lies. Do you love performing and getting on stage in front of an audience, or do you prefer composing, creating, and telling stories through music? If you get stage fright and the thought of performing in front of a live audience makes you feel weak at the knees, then the songwriting course could be a better option for you. As a songwriter, you’ll still have the opportunity to participate in an ensemble, in order to learn how to develop your musical ideas to be performance ready, but you won’t have to have the spotlight on your own performance.

Yes. The JMC Academy is registered and regulated by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) which is Australia’s independent national regulator of the higher education sector, both public and private.

No. For those with little or no theory background, we'll teach you what you need to know from the ground up. We also offer a program during orientation week which provides a crash course to help you get started if theory isn’t your strong point.  

JMC Academy is broadly recognised and accredited:

  • Registered Higher Education Provider.
  • Accredited by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)
  • Registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).
  • Regulated by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA).
  • Member of the Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia (ITECA).
  • Nationally recognised within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

Our strong industry links also ensure that JMC Academy qualifications are recognised within the creative industries.