Bachelor of Creative Technology (Audio Engineering & Sound Production)

Duration

3 Years (9 trimesters)

Locations

Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane

Fees

FEE-HELP Available

Domestic Fees

Intake Dates

February, June, September

Apply now →

International

Domestic Only

The double degree in Audio Engineering and Entertainment Business Management at JMC Academy is tailored for individuals looking to acquire a well-rounded education in both the technical and managerial aspects of the entertainment industry. This program offers a structured pathway to gaining practical audio engineering skills while understanding the business dynamics of entertainment projects.

Audio Engineering & Sound Production Component

Core Understanding

The Audio Engineering segment of the degree offers a well-rounded understanding of sound principles and audio technologies. Students learn about the science of sound, how to operate audio equipment, and the techniques involved in capturing and manipulating audio. This core knowledge forms the basis for exploring various applications within the entertainment industry.

Practical Application

Alongside theoretical learning, students have the opportunity to apply their knowledge in practical settings. Through hands-on projects and collaborative efforts, they gain experience in recording, mixing, and producing audio across different media platforms. This practical aspect ensures that students are not only knowledgeable but also capable of executing audio engineering tasks in real-world scenarios.

Entertainment Business Management Component

Business Knowledge

On the Entertainment Business Management side, students will learn about marketing, branding, contract negotiation, and business planning. This component is designed to provide a solid grasp of how the entertainment industry operates from a business perspective.

Practical Experience

Students will have opportunities to gain real-world experience through managing external and in-house events, planning event logistics, and creating promotional campaigns. This hands-on experience is crucial for understanding how to apply business principles in practical settings within the entertainment industry.

Interdisciplinary Synergy

Broader Understanding

The double degree program encourages learning across both technical and business areas, providing a broader understanding of the entertainment industry. Collaborative projects and real-world applications help students see how audio engineering and business management come together in a professional setting.

Industry Relevance

The curriculum, informed by industry experts, ensures that the knowledge and skills acquired are relevant and applicable in the professional realm, preparing graduates for various roles within the entertainment industry.

Career Prospects

Diverse Opportunities

Graduates of this double degree program may find opportunities in a variety of roles within the entertainment industry, such as an audio engineer, producer, entertainment manager, or in marketing. The blend of technical and business education enhances employability, offering a competitive edge in the job market.

This double degree at JMC Academy is aimed at equipping students with the essential skills and knowledge needed to navigate the complex landscape of the entertainment industry, fostering a balanced understanding of both its technical and business dimensions.

Why Study Audio and Entertainment Business Management at JMC?

Gain real-world experience working on real projects throughout your degree

Holistic understanding of both the technical and business dimensions of the audio/entertainment industry

Gain a real competitive edge in the job market over those with a single degree

Technology & Facilities

We take audio seriously at JMC, with studios full of the best tech in the trade including high-end equipment and recording studios, fitted with 5.1 surround sound and all the latest gear, including:

Consoles: SSL Duality 48 Channel, Avid C24 control surface, Pro Tools HD with Avid HDX conversion

Mics: Neumann U87, FET 47, U89, Royer 121, AKG C414 and many more

Plugins: Full Universal Audio Plugin Suite, Waves Mercury Bundle Outboard: Avalon 2022, Universal Audio 2x610, Empirical Labs Distressors, Manley Vari Mu

In just 3 years you can graduate with a Bachelor double degree thanks to our accelerated full-time course. Part-time study is also available to domestic students.

Students who have successfully completed 4 trimesters of the programme may successfully graduate with an Associate Degree of Audio Engineering & Sound Production qualification.

Students who have successfully completed 6 trimesters may successfully graduate with a Bachelor of Audio Engineering & Sound Production.

Our internship subject is designed to connect students with industry partners to get real-world experience and put you in the best position to land employment.

Audio Engineering and Sound Production

We have partnered with Lighting, Sound, AV, Recording Studios, Film and TV companies such as The Brain Studios, ARN, KISS FM and many others.

Entertainment Business Management

We'll help you find placements at companies like Universal Music Publishing, Vivid, Ministry of Sound, Mushroom Records, Foxtel, Furst Media, Sydney City Council (NYE), Big Sound, Big Tree Artists, Ditto Music, Parker and Mr French (Artist Management Company), Great Big Events, George P Johnson Experience Marketing, Sydney Mardis Gras, Mountain Sounds & Jungle Love festival, Merchfan + more.

Study Abroad (Entertainment Business Management subjects)

JMC Academy offers the opportunity for students to spend one trimester (either 7, 8 or 9) abroad at Fontys University Academy for Creative Industries (ACI) in Tilburg, Netherlands. As part of the exchange, JMC Academy receives Fontys University ACI students in February each year.

The JMC exchange students study alongside others from around the world as they undertake subjects offered by the Fontys Academy for Creative Industries. Students receive subject credits that are the equivalent of one full trimester of study. All subjects are delivered in English at the Tilburg campus.

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CURRICULUM

Audio Engineering: Foundations (Trimesters 1 & 2)

Introduction to the Audio Industry - ASP201

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit introduces students to the diverse range of careers available in the industry as well as some of the equipment and standard practices in various industry sectors. It introduces professional practice in various settings and identifies the skills required to function within them as well as developing networks for future engagement in industry.  

The student will also develop the academic skills of research and referencing, independent learning and effective written and oral presentations through specific content and assessment processes. This unit provides grounding for many of the concepts studied in later units.

The Art of Music Production - ASP205

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

This unit introduces the concepts and techniques of contemporary music production. Various technical, artistic and creative concerns are surveyed in context to various contemporary and popular musical styles and genres. Production and sonic characteristics are discussed and analysed, illuminating fundamental principles of music production and their qualities.

Introduction to Sound - ASP202

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit will discuss the nature and behaviour of sound waves as well as how they are experienced and described. Students will explore how sound waves may exist acoustically or be represented as electrical or digital signals and also how they may be generated, captured, stored, reproduced and manipulated by various devices. Human perception of sound is investigated as well as how to protect hearing from damage. This unit will provide the theoretical grounding to the course and support the practical application of these concepts.

Introduction to Mixing Techniques - ASP206

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

In this unit, students will learn the basics of mixing techniques to achieve release-quality music. Listening and mix evaluation skills will be explored with the technical concepts expected of a professional production. Editing, arrangement, and monitoring use, alongside psychological and psychoacoustic techniques will give students foundational mixing skills.

Digital Audio Workstations Techniques - ASP203

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

This unit provides fundamental concepts for digital audio workstation (DAW) operation that will be used throughout the degree. It involves a practical introduction to software-based recording systems with an emphasis on file handling, editing, and arranging using a DAW. You will learn about the fundamental hardware and software components required for digital audio production, as well as the function an audio engineer plays in preparing and completing a mix. This unit covers an introduction to signal processing in the context of plug-in based digital signal processing in the form of equalisation, dynamics processing and time modification effects.

Studio 2 - ASP208

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

This unit builds on the practice and concepts presented in Studio 1 (ASP204). Students will apply practical approaches to recording and mixing using a combination of digital and analogue recording techniques. Students will explore areas including further application of microphone techniques; overdubbing, appropriate instrumentation; and the application of mixing techniques for specific purposes.

Studio 1 - ASP204

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 1

In this unit, students will apply technical and theoretical recording, digital editing and mixing concepts to a podcast and simple recording project. This unit involves a practical approach to using microphones and digital recording equipment as well as exploring the demands of editing voice and working with musicians in the recording studio. Students will apply the knowledge learnt in other units to practical situations and reflect upon their work and the work of the group. Both recordings will be mixed in a format suitable for professional distribution.

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 2

This unit introduces students to copyright principles as it broadly applies to musical, literary, dramatic and artistic works and the functions and responsibilities of publishers and publishing companies. Areas relating to the application of copyright and the workings of publishing are considered. This unit also introduces foundational understanding of music publishing contracts. This unit provides key principles of publishing and will enable students to familiarise with legal parameters of copyright and to apply business principles to music, film and entertainment publishing ventures in traditional and digital contexts. 

Audio Engineering: Polish and Build (Trimesters 3 & 4)

Applied Music Production - ASP301

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop an understanding of advanced concepts in evaluating sound in audio and musical recordings, and further develops the ideas presented in the Art of Music Production unit (ASP205). The history of sound recording technologies from the early 20th Century will be investigated and how they have affected recording in the present day. Sound production techniques, and the producer or engineer’s contribution to the sound of the era will be explored along with the development of different mediums and tools used to record, reproduce or master sound and how the application of these tools influenced the sound. This unit will further develop student’s critical listening skills.

Music Business and Communications - ASP305

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

This unit provides students with an insight to the strategies for future employment, across job seeking skills as well as business planning and communications. This unit will introduce students to the fundamentals of how to present professionally, as it applies to their professional practice. The unit will cover marketing and personal communication skills with a commercial focus incorporating different digital platforms and strategies.

Sound for Screen - ASP302

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

This unit covers a range of approaches and techniques required to create and capture various sound sources for screen and moving image. Techniques will include how to effectively combine and merge different sound sources to various visual media. Students will be introduced to the processes of Foley and ADR and develop specific workflow practices that will enable them to work effectively with other creative disciplines. The unit also covers various online platform delivery and format requirements.

Immersive Audio - ASP306

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

In this unit students learn cutting edge sound manipulation techniques and delivery mediums for Virtual reality (VR), Augmented reality (AR) and Mixed reality (MR). Students will create an immersive audio work and learn how to publish to a variety of platforms. This entails building an understanding of the range of immersive audio techniques, and associated methods of encoding and decoding spatial audio.

Electronics and Maintenance - ASP303

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

This unit introduces students to basic electrical circuits and the properties of fundamental electronic components. Their effect on audio circuits will also be discussed. Principles of inter-connecting analogue audio devices will be explored. This deepens understanding of the recording and mixing process and the limitations of various pieces of equipment involved in the process. Soldering and lead construction techniques will also be covered. This will give students valuable repair and fault-finding skills which can be used in their professional practice.

Studio 4 - ASP308

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

This unit provides students with an opportunity to specialise and build upon their growing skill-sets in audio engineering and sound production. The student will develop their creative and technical knowledge further in a high-end studio environment.

Studio 3 - ASP304

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 3

This unit develops students’ knowledge and technical skills in recording, mixing and editing, and requires them to apply these skills to an interdisciplinary production activity. In this unit, students will experience working with an industry professional producer and will develop artist communication skills in the recording studio. Students will put into practice all the knowledge they have gained from previous units into a variety of production projects.

Talent Management 1 - EBM303

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 4

This unit will deepen students’ knowledge learnt in the Talent Development unit in trimester two. Talent Management 1 explores the business of managing creatives and their career. Students will learn management principles and obtain practical experience working with talent. Students will be able to choose their talent from diverse sectors of the entertainment industry (i.e. music, film, TV, theatre, digital media or sports etc.) to take on the role of ‘managing’ the talent. This management will cover all facets, responsibilities and the function of the talent manager in a contemporary environment addressing career strategies, team development, leadership, contracts and ethics within the modern industry. 

Audio Engineering: Showcase and Project (Trimesters 5 & 6)

Acoustic Design - ASP401

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

This unit considers acoustic design for various environments and situations where sound control is required. Acoustic problems such as standing waves, flutter echo, excess reverberation and strategies for controlling these are explored and discussed, particularly from the aspect of working in non-ideal spaces, such as the bedroom studio. This will allow students to evaluate commercial studio designs and performance spaces from a knowledgeable point of view and be able to adapt that knowledge to non-traditional spaces.

Sound Design and Aesthetics - ASP403

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

Students will investigate sonic arts and related aesthetics, and apply the insight gained to creative works. This unit will provide students with a contextual framework that can help to inform their own creativity through an investigation of media, art forms and situations where complex sound design and concepts are applied.

Advanced Audio Engineering - ASP402

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

This unit provides students with the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in recording small and large ensembles using advanced stereo recording techniques. Students will identify and articulate complex sound production requirements for recording projects including ensembles of numerous sizes, choirs, solo acoustic instruments, and more. Students will also investigate advanced mixing techniques and the creative use of digital manipulation approaches, including the use of time and pitch correction tools. The unit explores parallel processing, multiband compression, harmonic enhancement, and sophisticated digital signal flows.

Entertainment Marketing - EBM205

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

This unit introduces contemporary marketing practices as applied to the creative industries and the challenges faced when commercialising entertainment products and services.  

This Entertainment Marketing unit will supply students with overall theoretical knowledge of the process of marketing and its importance to the success of entertainment businesses.   

Students will analyse marketing information from established entertainment businesses to complete a range of activities related with branding, positioning, and loyalty. To enable further learning, students will experiment with social media practices and analyse the marketing mixes of entertainment businesses.

Major Project - Design - ASP404

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

In this unit, students will have the opportunity to design and plan their major project for ASP408 Major Project - Delivery. Students can choose to design their project from a creative practice approach, or conduct applied research, while also examining comparable projects in their industry and conducting research related to their specialized field. Under the guidance of their lecturer, they will synthesize a major project and develop crucial skills in project management, problem-solving, decision-making, and planning that can be applied to their professional practice.

Major Project - Delivery - ASP408

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 6

In this unit, students will deliver their Major Project. Students will focus on the delivery and realisation of their creative project and learn how to identify and manage unexpected situations in a timely fashion and employ appropriate strategies to solve problems. Students will discuss their project and share their ongoing progress with their peers throughout the trimester. Students will be mentored throughout the trimester and will conclude with a presentation of their project to an industry panel.

Finance for Entertainment - EBM301

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 5

This unit will provide students with an interactive way to develop both an understanding of financial literacy and a positive relationship with the management of money.  It will provide an understanding of the impact of paying close attention to budget, cash flow, business activity statement, ratio analysis worksheets; as well as, the vocabulary to articulate different scenarios that exist in entertainment finance. 

EBM: Polish and Build (Trimester 7)

Digital Content Creation 1 - EBM202

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 7

This unit introduces students to digital content creation as part of the overall knowledge of content marketing. Students will identify what makes an appropriate story for specific target market and how to apply that into different content formats and distribution channels.

Students will be learning/using different types of software and will also learn valuable content production skills that can be transferred into diverse projects, businesses, and marketing departments.

Business Planning and Funding - EBM305

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 7

This unit allow students to select a business idea that they are genuinely interested in and realistically might want to pursue. They will learn about key considerations and components while developing their business plan. This unit will provide a clear understanding of the financial options available to them as businesspeople. It will discuss the most appropriate way to make the most appropriate financial situation to start their business as all funding opportunities will be explored and evaluated. This unit will also address the scenario where start-ups might not have access to finance. Hence, students will look at ways to get started with shoestring budgets and strategies to build the business so that the traditional funding methods can become an option. 

Tour Management - EBM306

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 7

This unit allows students to expand their knowledge of event management into design, plan and execute touring strategies for entertainment products. Students will create a strategic tour plan that is delivered as an industry standard manual. This unit will focus on fundamental concepts of tour management that can be applied to diverse entertainment businesses. Students in this unit will apply their critical thinking, initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making through the creative tour planning process. 

Creative Development Hub - EBM403

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 7

This work integrated learning unit focuses on the student’s personalised professional development and allows them to put into practice much of the skills and knowledge learnt so far. Students will get to operate in a Creative Development Hub environment while being one on one mentored through individualised professional development, aimed at producing job ready students. 

This unit encourages autonomous project development with the student, and their own professional development being the focus of the project This unit is designed to give the students the resources, equipment, facilities, and professional mentoring to enable them to pursue their chosen career paths. Students will research, have hands on experience and apply practical knowledge while they hone their skills as well as further develop industry connections. 

EBM: Showcase and Project (Trimesters 8 & 9)

Major Project 1 - EBM401

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 8

This unit will allow students to continue building up their creative project knowledge through the development of a major project of their own choice, from concept through to final project plan, whilst operating in a mentor and peer style environment. Students will learn advanced project management concepts including testing project feasibility, creating project charters and project management plans based on the Project Management Body of Knowledge framework, and pre-production phases of a creative idea.   

This unit will focus on the planning and pre-production phase of a student’s creative idea, which will then evolve into the production and delivery phase of their project’s as well as the evaluation and debrief during the following Major Project 2 unit. 

Major Project 2 - EBM405

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 9

This unit will allow students to develop their Major Project through the realisation and completion stage of project management. They will create a complete portfolio of deliverables as outlined in their approved final project plan in EBM401, develop an industry focused presentation in relation to their project, as well as document and critically reflect on the production and post-production of their project. Through this process the students will also consider how the development of a project management plan is of benefit to the end production of their project in the post-production stage.  

In this unit students will be given most of their class time to work on their project deliverables, with lecture content tailored to the types of projects being executed to support the students in their project execution. Engagement in class time will contribute towards both project peer work and evidence of deliverables as part of their overall unit assessment work. 

Strategic Public Relations - EBM402

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 8

This unit enable students to gain advanced marketing theory and techniques in a manner of applying strategic public relations (PR) into an entertainment business context. It provides insights on contemporary public relations, with particular focus on public relations campaign development. This unit provides students with an understanding of best practice approaches - an important platform for strategic, innovative and highly effective campaign design. The aim is to build in students an understanding of how to develop an effective PR campaign - firstly by providing the opportunity to analyse PR campaigns, and then by developing a PR campaign for a client or an organisation. 

Deal Making - EBM406

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 9

This unit will enable students to have a broad coherent theoretical and technical knowledge with depth in contracts and negotiation. This unit will enable students an understanding of common contracts and deals which will be useful throughout their professional career. Students will practice their negotiation skills to close deals and achieve better outcomes for their artists, content, events, or projects while incorporating appropriate ethical considerations. 

Talent Management 2 - EBM404

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 8

This unit provide students with advanced talent development and management in the contexts of multi-talent rosters, talent with established careers and talent with third party relationships. 

This unit provides the opportunity for students to create and coordinate a multi-talent roster for a mock talent management business. Students will undertake a range of practical preparation to further understand the role of entertainment managers. 

Festival Management - EBM407

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 9

In this unit students will develop a major outdoor festival based in a “real world” location. This will require the students to consider and evaluate the festival’s staging, production, security, staffing, ticketing, marketing, and merchandising needs into their final plan. Students will apply their knowledge learned in previous production management units into concepts related to satisfy the range of government, statutory and regulatory legislation such the liquor licensing, workplace health and safety, environmental protection, police, and security requirements. They will also be required to satisfy the requirements of local government bodies, such as planning and building permits, parking, noise, waste management, risk management, and the complexities of road closures and traffic management. Students will also be encouraged to explore ethical issues relating to festivals and events while applying them to their own set of developing values. At the end of this unit, students will not only understand what it takes to stage a festival, they have created a (fully-fledged) complex festival manual that will enable them to produce that festival or present the project to someone who does. 

Choose 1 Elective

Trimester 8

Digital Commerce - EBM410

Credit Points: 6
Trimester 9

In this practice-based learning unit, students will investigate, design and develop a digital commerce artefact (e.g. website or similar) for their entertainment business. They will explore the vital role digital commerce plays in the management of sustainable entertainment businesses, including surveying the relationship between e-commerce and emerging digital or virtual payment systems. Students will further apply their knowledge of consumer behaviour to increase their understanding of the opportunity digital commerce presents in the realm of audience engagement, product distribution, and monetisation.  

In the process of creating their digital commerce site, students will be required to consider their digital marketing strategy, and how to use a digital platform to engage their audience and monetise their offering. They will think about how best to apply digital marketing theories whilst complying with relevant global and regional laws and regulations.  

Class will be held in a studio environment, and time will be given for students to physically develop their idea, including researching, designing, building and trialling their artefact to MVP stage. They will be expected to actively seek critical feedback from their peers and lecturer in the process. 

Elective Units

Independent Music Producer Techniques - ASP411

(Available in Trimesters 4, 5 or 6)
Requirements: ASP301

This unit explores advanced processes of music production, providing insight into how an independent producer works and communicates with the artist to create a final product. This unit details techniques for working with artists, songs, arrangements, and pre-production techniques, budgeting, and equipping a home studio to glean a professional result.

Students will practice ‘soft skills’ in class and as they are assessed by their peers use a process of refinement to improve upon their communication strategies. Additionally, students will use post-production techniques to alter the dynamics and improve the story and shape of a pre-recorded work. There will be an opportunity to reflect on the processes used and their effectiveness on the outcome

Cool Hunting - EBM408

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: -

This unit allow students to expand their knowledge into the history, culture, fashion, people, and business of “Cool”. By exploring contemporary cultural theory, the student will investigate the personalities, the symbols, and the society that contribute to current occidental notions of “Cool”. 

This unit also gives the student an understanding of the concept of “Cool” as a complex yet fleeting proposition that underpins the vast majority of new trends in fashion, style, music, brands, products and art. Throughout this unit, students will study the social impact of major events, brands and personalities that have the “cool” factor; MTV, Apple, hip hop, and street fashion, as well as media giants, music and film producers. This study will be delivered in the context of enabling the students to understand and develop their own contribution to the business of “cool”. 

International Tour Planning - EBM409

Credit Points: 6
Requirements: -

This unit expands on EBM306 Tour Management. This unit introduces students to the opportunities and challenges of establishing and exporting Australian creative products and services into global markets. Students will learn how to successfully penetrate international markets using available economic support and creative ideas while scoping opportunities throughout the world. This unit also helps students investigate the differences between a manager who plans a tour and a tour manager who goes on tour and coordinates the execution of the tour.

Internship - COL401

Credit Points: 6

*by application only

COL401 Internship aims to provide students with an internship opportunity that has sound educational value and provides students the chance to initiate and/or develop relationships with professionals in their discipline. COL401 allows students to prepare or consolidate their know-how to work as a professional and increase their technical and creative skills base. It also allows students to explore potential areas of employment.

In this unit the National Society for Experiential Education’s definition of “internship” is used. This is internship is a carefully monitored volunteering or working experience where an individual has intentional learning goals and reflects actively on what they are learning throughout the experience. For this reason, beside the time students spend during their internship, they will also spend self-study time. They will reflect upon their awareness of applying theory to practice during their internship, practicing their ability to evaluate situations, critical thinking, and effective communication of their decision-making.

Students will also elaborate a professional plan where they explain their aspiring professional development goals and the activities that would assist them to achieve these under the guidance of their Internship Coordinator/Supervisor.

International Study Tour - COL400

Credit Points: 6

(by application only)

This subject is a special project based on research, experiences and learning undertaken in conjunction with the overseas academic partners and JMC Academy. Students will be immersed in two weeks of educational experiences prior to JMC Academy trimester start, hosted by the overseas academic partners. They will cover a range of topics, skills and knowledge taught by industry experts and educators in the students’ area of study (Entertainment Business Management, Music, Design, Film and Television, Audio Engineering, Animation and Game Design).

On completion of the two weeks of study, students will continue with a 12 week special project on campus at JMC Academy in Australia.

Individual projects are based on a specific project topic of the student’s choice made in consultation with their term supervisor. That is then developed over the length of the subject. Students will be supervised and will work in conjunction with their supervisor to complete their project (Academic or Practical).

Our Lecturers

Glenn Ferguson

Head of Audio Engineering & Sound Production (Sydney)

Glenn commenced lecturing at JMC Academy in 1996 and has held the position of Department Head since 2006. This experience, coupled with 20 years of industry experience and academic accomplishment has made Glenn a master specialist in his field. Having worked in a variety of recording situations, from world class SSL equipped studios, to temporary setups in farmhouses, schools and garages, Glenn has built a broad repertoire of skills.

Glenn has recorded a variety of acts from rock bands to jazz artists; Welsh choirs to brass bands. He also has extensive location recording experience including gigs at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Town Hall, Newcastle Town Hall, Enmore Theatre and Cessnock Town Hall to name a few. Personally inspired by Rick Rubin, Glenn encourages his students to develop their own unique ‘sound’ to ensure they establish a competitive, sustainable career in the industry.

Glenn Ferguson

Head of Audio Engineering & Sound Production (Sydney)

Daniel Spirovski

Head of Audio Engineering & Sound Production (Brisbane)

While completing his performance degree in Jazz on Tenor Saxophone, Daniel developed his skill in music production and recording. For close to 20 years, he has been working as a professional musician performing locally and internationally in corporate and original bands. He is also a composer, music director, recording session musician, and multi-instrumentalist (saxophone, keyboards, and bass guitar).

Since 2008, he has worked as an independent music producer, live sound, and mix engineer and produced a large body of work across many genres. Daniel has traveled and performed on saxophone extensively with the Chicago-based Gospel group, Light of Love (backing vocalists for Paul Simon and Toto) in the US and in Australia. He was their Production Manager for a Live Recording in Stavanger, Norway.

Daniel has worked for Education QLD and Brisbane City Council music program initiatives and was the USQ Summerschool Music Program Co-ordinator for five years.

He started at JMC academy as a sessional music lecturer in 2013 and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in Music where he coordinated the Ensemble Program, Music Technology, and Production units as well as lecturing and mentoring in Songwriting. He has represented JMC internationally on trips to India, Nepal, and Indonesia.

In 2020 Daniel was promoted to the role of Head of Audio in Brisbane.

Daniel Spirovski

Head of Audio Engineering & Sound Production (Brisbane)

Daniel has worked for Education QLD and Brisbane City Council music program initiatives and was the USQ Summerschool Music Program Co-ordinator for five years.

In 2020 Daniel was promoted to the role of Head of Audio in Brisbane.

Paul McKercher

Audio Lecturer

Credited with five Aria Awards and hundreds of releases, the Sonic signatures of clarity, power, punch and musicality are the defining qualities of Paul's work. He understands musicians and can tap into the essence of their artistic vision while making the recording process transparent, enjoyable, even transcendent.

Over the course of an extensive career in music production, Paul’s inclusive approach and versatility has led to successful collaborations with artists from multiple genres.

He has a deep technical knowledge and is a multi-instrumentalist with formal training in music (AMEB grade 7) and the recording arts, working at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation for a decade taking the role of Triple J live music producer for three years.

Bringing a critical approach to studio practice and an empathic ear to music production, Paul has written articles, spoken at industry conferences, podcasts and lectured extensively in music production.

Paul McKercher

Audio Lecturer

Dan Sugars

Audio Engineering Lecturer

Dan has been involved in the Creative Industries since 2004, turning his childhood passion for music performance into a rewarding and diverse professional career.

He is a professional music producer, sound engineer and composer, and spends most of his time producing music for game developers and recording artists. He also plays drums for the rock band Go Van Go.
Some of his recent work has achieved nominations for various songwriting awards, national radio play and international licensing contracts.

Dan Sugars

Audio Engineering Lecturer

Jane Gazzo

EBM And Music Lecturer

Jane Gazzo wears many hats in the world of music and entertainment. As a music journalist, TV presenter, author, MC, DJ and public speaker, she's a true industry legend. Jane extends her expertise as both an Entertainment Business and Music Lecturer at JMC Academy. Jane's remarkable accomplishments include multiple nominations for the AWMAs Music Journalist Award, with a notable win in 2023 - a clear indicator that she is one of the absolute best in the business.

Jane Gazzo

EBM And Music Lecturer

Adrian Marchesani

Head of Entertainment Business Management (Melbourne)

Adrian originally set up an independent techno label and music publishing company which focused on licensing Australian dance music to overseas markets. The label achieved much overseas success with various dance acts and DJ’s. Following this, Adrian joined Ralph Carr’s Standard Group, which encompasses Ralph Carr Management, RCM Sport, RCM Touring, Standard Publishing and Illicit Records.

Ralph Carr Management is one of Australia's leading Artist Management and Entertainment Company's, managing some of Australia’s leading artists. Adrian worked at RCM for 22 years. Adrian was involved ,as 2IC, in all facets of the company which included Artist Management , Music Publishing, Recording , Licensing, Marketing, Synchronisation, Sponsorships, Project Management, Production of TV Specials, Brand Alliance and Business and Legal Affairs.

Adrian was also course coordinator of the Bachelor of Business Music Industry degree at Victoria University for 10 years. Adrian promoted and developed close ties with the course and the music industry. One major achievement whilst at Victoria University was conceptualising and developing the "Potential Unlimited" student record label. Potential unlimited ran for 8 years and won the US based Independent Music Award for campus record labels in 2014 ( the only non US based campus to win ). Potential Unlimited was also a finalist at the IMA's for 6 years.

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/victoria-university-student-record-label-potential-unlimited-wins-independent-music-award-in-the-us/news-story/423a0d698ddc8be375f76db943e7a846

Adrian Marchesani

Head of Entertainment Business Management (Melbourne)

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/leader/news/victoria-university-student-record-label-potential-unlimited-wins-independent-music-award-in-the-us/news-story/423a0d698ddc8be375f76db943e7a846

Tania Wilson

Senior Entertainment Business Lecturer

Tania has worked in a diverse range of roles throughout her 25+ years in the music and events industry. From development and planning through to production and delivery of events, both boutique and major; in both independent artists and nightclub publicity, branding and marketing; out on national and international touring through the USA and Europe; and in independent artist management; to name a few areas of her career, she brings the breadth of skills learned throughout the years, to every class and to support every student at JMC.

Her history includes working on iconic major events such as Midsumma Festival, Hanging Rock Concert Series, Australian Open, Melbourne Fashion Festival, Laneway Festival, Soundwave Festival, Melbourne International Comedy Festival, and the Royal Melbourne Show. She's also worked on shows and tours with headliners as varied as Bliss N Eso, Bruce Springsteen, Taylor Swift, Ed Sheeran, Leonard Cohen, Midnight Oil, Slipknot, Stone Sour, as well as countless independent Aussie artists.

Still working out in the industry alongside her role at JMC, Tania is super passionate about supporting students to use their studies to develop real-industry projects and businesses, so they can start their journey into the wide wonderful world of the entertainment industry, even before they have finished their degree.

Tania Wilson

Senior Entertainment Business Lecturer

Nigel Tucker

Entertainment Business Lecturer

An entertainment industry professional with over 20 years’ experience, Nigel specialises in Artist Management for developing and established recording artists. He has personally managed the careers of numerous recording artists from superstar DJ’s and 10 piece funk bands to pop, commercial and indie-alternate rock acts.

Nigel has planned, organised & managed many National & International tours, including to Japan, South-East Asia, Europe & Eastern Europe. Artists managed have performed at all major local festivals including Big Day Out (Australia & New Zealand) Splendor in the Grass and Homebake.

Some career highlights include: - No1 on US Billboard Dance Chart, No 1 National Charts, Top 5 in Japan, Gold Records, numerous ARIA nominations & international support tours including supporting Prince, Moby, Roy Ayres and Jarvis Cocker. Nigel currently consults to establishing entertainment businesses, record labels & venues.

Nigel Tucker

Entertainment Business Lecturer

Dale Prinsse

Entertainment Business & Music Lecturer

Dale is a bassist and touring musician in Caligula’s Horse, lighting designer, audio engineer, tour manager, videographer and photographer, as well as a Ph.D. candidate at the Griffith University Conservatorium. His studies include a fascination with sociology, particularly Artificial Intelligence music and its effects on consumption, production, and creativity in popular music.

Touring through continental Europe, Latin America, and North America, and Australia throughout the past decade with bands such as Opeth, Dead Letter Circus, Cog, Tesseract, Monuments, Osaka Punch, Circles, and so on, he has developed a breadth of experience in live popular music.

Caligula’s Horse have received many accolades in progressive metal spheres, with their 2015 album ‘Bloom’, ‘In Contact’ (2017), and 2020 release ‘Rise Radiant’ released under InsideOut (Sony Music), charting as high as #16 on the Australian Arias and receiving an award for Bloom at the QMAs.

Dale’s understanding of local, international, and festival music scenes as well as many facets of contemporary experiences as an artist enables him to provide unique perspectives in his style of teaching. He encourages participation and facilitates engaging conversations that cater to individual student outcomes, and understands that each person has their own trajectory in the music industry.

Dale Prinsse

Entertainment Business & Music Lecturer

Hayley Marsten

Audio Engineering, Entertainment Business and Music Lecturer

Hayley Marsten is a self-managed, independent singer-songwriter. Since graduating from a Bachelor of Creative Industries in Music & Entertainment Management at QUT with Distinction, she has successfully managed her career. Overseeing the release of multiple EPs and an Album, along with various tours and release campaigns. Hayley has crowdfunded over $30k for the recording of her music throughout her career and is has successfully secured multiple grants. She has been nominated multiple times at the Queensland Music Awards and Golden Guitars and is set to play the biggest country music festival in the southern hemisphere, CMC Rocks in 2023 and release her sophomore album.

Hayley Marsten

Audio Engineering, Entertainment Business and Music Lecturer

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Avid Certification

After a rigorous review of JMC Academy’s facilities and superior technology used in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane’s Audio courses, JMC Academy is also a certified AVID Training location. This recognition allows JMC Academy to offer 100 and 200 level courses in ProTools for introductory and formal ProTools certification.

This certification makes JMC Academy the only provider in Australia to offer 200 level courses in more than one state.

FAQs

Can I complete both Audio Engineering and Entertainment Business Management bachelors at the same time?

No, you must complete the course in the order set out. That is, Bachelor of Audio Engineering for 2 years, followed by Bachelor of Entertainment Business Management for 1 year.

Are JMC courses available to study online?

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.

Is a JMC Academy degree of equal standing to a university degree?

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.