Our Music Performance Courses

Diploma of Music with major in Contemporary Performance

Bachelor of Music with major in Contemporary Performance

Bachelor of Music with major in Contemporary Performance

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

This course is much more than just learning how to nail a performance. It’s about learning the tools to promote yourself and stand out in a digital age.

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Diploma of Music with major in Contemporary Performance

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

Discover and develop your singular musical talent in a rapidly expanding industry, and be taught by experienced and respected musicians through a JMC Diploma of Music.

 

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Notable Alumni in Music

Tim "Timomatic" Omaji
Multi-platinum selling + ARIA Award Nominee + APRA Award Winner
Little Green
Artist, 10 million Spotify listens
Earth Patravee
Singer/Songwriter, 50 million Spotify listens [Thailand]
Harry O'Brien
Audio Mixer and Frontman, Pacific Avenue
Mickey Pye
Founder & Director, Bathurst Academy of Music
PANIA
Australian R&B Artist
Chloe Dadd
Recording Engineer & Producer, Golden Retriever Studios + Artist
Chanel Loren
Alt-R&B Artist
Chelsea Wilson
Songwriter, Producer and Artistic Director


Our Lecturers

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

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.

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.

Rick Grossman

Music Lecturer

For the past 35 years, Rick has worked as a professional musician, spending five years (1982-1987) as a bass guitarist for Divinyls, and then in 1988 Rick began playing bass for the Hoodoo Gurus. From 1990 onwards Rick has been involved with a side project, Ghostwriters, along with Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil.

Rick has toured both Australia and internationally with the likes of Jimmy Barnes and Men at Work and produced albums such as ‘Caution: Life Ahead, Artists for Recovery’, a collection of Australian artists to raise awareness for drug rehabilitation.

He has been inducted twice into the ARIA Hall of Fame, in 2007 for his work with Hoodoo Gurus, and also in 2006 for his work with Divinyls. Recently, Rick and his legendary Aussie band, Hoodoo Gurus, have made it to the top 10 of the ARIA charts with the 40th-anniversary edition of their debut album, Stoneage Romeos.

At JMC Academy, Sydney Campus, Rick teaches Band Ensemble and encourages his students to follow their passions and always have commitment, creativity, and write original material.

Rick Grossman

Music Lecturer

For the past 35 years, Rick has worked as a professional musician, spending five years (1982-1987) as a bass guitarist for Divinyls, and then in 1988 Rick began playing bass for the Hoodoo Gurus. From 1990 onwards Rick has been involved with a side project, Ghostwriters, along with Rob Hirst from Midnight Oil.

Rick has toured both Australia and internationally with the likes of Jimmy Barnes and Men at Work and produced albums such as ‘Caution: Life Ahead, Artists for Recovery’, a collection of Australian artists to raise awareness for drug rehabilitation.

He has been inducted twice into the ARIA Hall of Fame, in 2007 for his work with Hoodoo Gurus, and also in 2006 for his work with Divinyls. Recently, Rick and his legendary Aussie band, Hoodoo Gurus, have made it to the top 10 of the ARIA charts with the 40th-anniversary edition of their debut album, Stoneage Romeos.

At JMC Academy, Sydney Campus, Rick teaches Band Ensemble and encourages his students to follow their passions and always have commitment, creativity, and write original material.

Olivia Nathan

Music Lecturer

Olivia is one of Melbourne’s most versatile freelance vocalists. With her silky smooth, soulful tones, Olivia has wowed audiences all over Melbourne, whether it is at a corporate event, wedding, nightclub, lounge or pub gig.

Singing since the age of 4, Olivia began performing at the age of 6 and has worked in and around Melbourne as well as interstate in various bands for the last 23 years.

Olivia studied music at Latrobe University and it was upon meeting fellow musician Robert John Sedky that she was introduced to a new network of musicians. Since that time 18 years ago, her music network has expanded immensely and she’s been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented musicians in Melbourne.

In 1999, Olivia and her then music partner formed a soul/rap rnb duo, Soul Class. They were signed to Molly Meldrum’s label, Melodian, a division of the then Mushroom Records. They released a single “You Left Me Behind” with Melodian then released “Downtown” the following year independently. Soul Class did many support shows, which were for acts such as Vanessa Amorosi.

Since the disbandment of Soul Class in 2001, Olivia has been freelancing with an array of different bands all around Melbourne. She has also performed as a backing vocalist for many other artists such as Vanessa Amorosi, Katie Cole, Tommy Rando, Josh Owen Band & Jade MacRae to name a few.

Olivia Nathan

Music Lecturer

Olivia is one of Melbourne’s most versatile freelance vocalists. With her silky smooth, soulful tones, Olivia has wowed audiences all over Melbourne, whether it is at a corporate event, wedding, nightclub, lounge or pub gig.

Singing since the age of 4, Olivia began performing at the age of 6 and has worked in and around Melbourne as well as interstate in various bands for the last 23 years.

Olivia studied music at Latrobe University and it was upon meeting fellow musician Robert John Sedky that she was introduced to a new network of musicians. Since that time 18 years ago, her music network has expanded immensely and she’s been lucky enough to work with some of the most talented musicians in Melbourne.

In 1999, Olivia and her then music partner formed a soul/rap rnb duo, Soul Class. They were signed to Molly Meldrum’s label, Melodian, a division of the then Mushroom Records. They released a single “You Left Me Behind” with Melodian then released “Downtown” the following year independently. Soul Class did many support shows, which were for acts such as Vanessa Amorosi.

Since the disbandment of Soul Class in 2001, Olivia has been freelancing with an array of different bands all around Melbourne. She has also performed as a backing vocalist for many other artists such as Vanessa Amorosi, Katie Cole, Tommy Rando, Josh Owen Band & Jade MacRae to name a few.

Kim Salmon

Music Lecturer

In 1976, Kim Salmon formed Perth’s first punk band the Cheap Nasties, who later became The Manikins. Salmon’s work with The Scientists in the 1980s influenced grunge music in a big way, with the band rising to prominence around Seattle, US, before impacting on popular music in the early 1990s.

The Scientists relied on unorthodox bass-heavy rhythms and distorted guitars, the latter being a direct precursor for grunge. The term itself was coined by Salmon in the mid-1980s to describe The Scientists’ sound, as noted in a documentary on Australian music, Long Way to the Top (2001).

Kim Salmon

Music Lecturer

In 1976, Kim Salmon formed Perth’s first punk band the Cheap Nasties, who later became The Manikins. Salmon’s work with The Scientists in the 1980s influenced grunge music in a big way, with the band rising to prominence around Seattle, US, before impacting on popular music in the early 1990s.

The Scientists relied on unorthodox bass-heavy rhythms and distorted guitars, the latter being a direct precursor for grunge. The term itself was coined by Salmon in the mid-1980s to describe The Scientists’ sound, as noted in a documentary on Australian music, Long Way to the Top (2001).

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.

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

If you are a vocalist, you are not required to play an instrument. However, if you have selected to play an instrument other than voice as part of your studies, your eligibility will be determined during the audition process. All successful applicants will be provided the tuition you need to progress through the course.

If you prefer to compose music electronically or use a DAW as your instrument, you should check out our Music Production course.

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.

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. Additional support throughout your course will be available.

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.

This depends on what you’re auditioning with – there are different requirements for vocals vs instruments for example, so check with your admissions advisor as to what you will need to bring to your audition.

To make the best of the audition - practice! Play something that you’re comfortable with and know well. Don’t bite off more than you can chew. Don’t base your audition song on what you think we want to hear – we want to see who you are as an artist, so choose a song that you love playing and that shows your own unique style. Make sure you’ve brought everything you need. Don’t stress. We want you to do well and will try to make you feel as comfortable as possible.

Definitely. As part of the application process we conduct auditions which will help determine your level. Vocal ability is subjective and everyone is their own worst critic, so we encourage you to come along and show us what you’ve got...keeping in mind that we don’t expect you to be an accomplished performer or finished artist. It's our job however to get you there!

You will work with three main types of software - Sibelius, ProTools and Ableton.