From Cairns and Mackay, to Bundaberg, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Ipswich, these nine emerging music industry professionals will be mentored by eight industry-leading mentors to plan a regional tour circuit in Far North Qld, develop budgets, book venues and artists and manage the events, which will take place in the coming months.
QMentorship is an important initiative under QMusic’s Women In Music program and supports early-career industry professionals who are pursuing a career within the music industry, or who want to explore other skills for gaining employment.
It is a critical capacity building program that showcases local artists and injects much needed economic activity into Queensland’s regions.
Meet the QMentorship participants or find out more about the program.
Pictured: Temgazi, 2019 BIGSOUND. Photo by Aimee Catt.
First Nations Artist Management Mentee
Carli Willis is a dynamic, Cairns-based, journalist and arts worker with multi-cultural connections to Torres Strait Islander Kubin People (Moa Island), Scottish, English and Irish heritage. Carli has been operating in the media, music, art and events space for the past four years.
Artist Management Mentee
I have a diploma in Music Business & degree in Creative Industries, Music and Entertainment Industries. I can turn any situation into a Simpsons or Seinfeld reference. I LOVE DOGS. I am very passionate about the Brisbane & Australian local music scene. I play drums and manage the Brisbane band, BLUSSH. In the past, I have had various experiences in drafting press releases, compiling social media content and setting up PR campaigns. Working within small-knit teams at the Australian Radio Network, Time Off Magazine & Cheated Hearts, I’ve gained a diverse range of skills and am continuously eager to develop and learn.
Business Development Mentee
After undertaking an internship with BIGSOUND in 2019, Monique has remained active in Brisbane's music industry in multiple capacities including songwriting and band management, until eventually stepping into her role as Office Administrator with QMusic in January 2021.
She has a degree in Popular Music from Queensland's Conservatorium of Music and is incredibly passionate about Australia's live music scene. Monique remains an active songwriter, often collaborating on numerous music projects.
Project Management Mentee
Bre is a direct descendant of the Gubbi Gubbi, Wakka Wakka & Kullili Aboriginal Nations of South-East & South-West Queensland. With 20 years as an arts and cultural development worker, band manager, gallery assistant, facilitator and event coordinator, her experiences working for Indigenous health, marine science, youth justice and arts sectors have granted her insight, knowledge and skills, and clear directions and purpose.
Passionate about working with emerging and early career Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, Bre aligns with initiatives that inspire, empower and equip these creatives with the capacity to grow, retrieve and maintain culture, and realise their aspirations.
Project Management Mentee
Lauren is an emerging arts worker whose skill set includes event management and delivery, social media marketing, philanthropic and sponsorship servicing. Working at Bleach* The Gold Coast Festival for several years, Lauren was able to grow professionally during her time there, becoming an Associate Producer on the team. Lauren recently completed a placement with acclaimed visual artist and curator Craig Walsh within the arts programming team (Splendour in the Arts) at Splendour in the Grass. Her final year university placement was with APAM as a Programming and Marketing Assistant. Lauren graduated in 2017 from the Western Australian Academy for Performing Arts (WAAPA) with a Bachelor of Arts/Arts Management.
Promotions and Marketing Mentee
Rachael Hart is cutting her teeth in the music and communications industry at Brisbane’s historic 4ZZZ as their Interviews Coordinator. She has a background in graphic design and a growing skill-set in all things communications, public relations and marketing.
Sound Engineering Mentee
Ellen Hartwig is a Brisbane-based bassist (say that three times fast) and sound engineer with 10 years of experience in the studio, on the road, and behind the desk. Some highlights include winning the 2020 Tamworth Battle of the Bands with Vixens of Fall, touring nationally with Eight Second Ride, rocking the 2019 Gympie Muster mainstage with Col Finley and touring the east coast with Cheeky Velvet. While studying at QUT Ellen focused on sound production, honing her craft in both live and studio contexts, since engineering for artists including Jon Toogood, The Soul Movers, Killer Queen and Tammy Savoy & Chris Casello.
Tour Management Mentee
I began my industry journey booking an array of artists at the much loved Nobby Beach music hub The Cave in 2012.
After some months of travelling, I was then invited to the emerging Miami, Miami Marketta to oversee the Arts Creative Market and as the Miami creative precinct evolved, I then moved into the Music Director role which saw me programming all the local and touring shows at the venue in all capacities.
Music management came calling in 2019 and I launched my agency Cult Club, overseeing the musical adventures for local act Thee End Less and Byron Band collective, Sunrose.
Venue Booking/Producing Mentee
"To say Brittney is passionate about supporting her local music and arts scene seems like somewhat of an understatement." - Ipswich First.
As well as studying a dual Bachelor degree in Business (Public Relations) and Creative Industries (Entertainment) at QUT, Brittney is the Booking Agent for the intimate live music and arts development venue, Studio 188, in Ipswich, Queensland. With a key interest in live entertainment, performing arts, community engagement, and local music development, Brittney is always on the lookout for collaborative opportunities to support her local arts community.
First Nations Artist Management Mentor
Artist Management Mentor
Director of Kadence Group, offering Artist Management, Music Business Mentoring and Grant Writing Services and Managing Director of Lovely Records.
I've held senior management positions in a diverse range of fields across corporate, government and non-profit. I've managed teams, budgets, training, government contracts, events and sponsorship deals from education and training to finance, business development to youth work.
Proud to have won an Australia Day Award for Community Development and nominated for Young Business Person of the Year for Queensland's AIM Awards.
Our roster of artists includes AODHAN, BENNY NELSON, BUSBY MAROU, COLIN LILLIE and TIA GOSTELOW.
Business Development Mentor
Deb Suckling has worked within the Queensland music industry almost two decades. Deb was the Program Manager for QMusic from 2006 until 2012, overseeing a number of projects including Queensland Music Awards, BIGSOUND and coordinating professional development workshops.
Deb has been a peer assessor for the Australia Council and Arts Queensland and has spoken on panels and workshops across Australia. Deb runs the Big Sky Girls mentoring program for young women across Australia, manages Leanne Tennant, Jackie Marshall and is involved in regional mentoring programs.
Deb also runs the #noton project and #youcanttakeme using music to promote awareness around sexual and physical violence against women.
Project Management Mentor
Melania has extensive experience in live performance and touring, starting independently as a songwriter 15 years ago. She has co-produced a number of electronic music shows including The Ironing Maidens, Shiny Shiny, We Play Machines and Our Regional Centre; A 12 cast show with a narrative focusing on the particular challenges of regional artists, a topic which she is passionate about.
Melania's work is multiplatform and she provides the artistic direction and production of visuals for live shows and music film clips. She has credits on ABC (2nd unit director), live stream events -2016 ARIA’s with Costa Georgiadis and dirtgirlworld (ABC).
Promotions and Marketing Mentor
Samantha is an experienced strategic planner and community engagement specialist working in art and culture as well as conservation and land management. Sam is co-founder and director of Blank GC – a monthly magazine focussed on busting the boring stereotypes associated with the Gold Coast’s cultural offering as well as the GC Music Awards which is an annual program of events elevating Gold Coast musicians onto a national stage and celebrating the city’s rich musical talent. Sam works with regional communities on strategy, communication, project management and conflict resolution and is passionate about helping others find their voice and achieve sustainable goals.
Sound Engineering Mentor
Patty Preece has a Bachelor of Audio Production, specialising in studio production and electronic music production. She currently lectures at Central Queensland University in music and production. Patty Preece is passionate about pushing the sonic envelope of music creation & experimentation and creating opportunities for women to learn all aspects of audio tech. Patty’s major project is the Ironing Maidens, where she plays a key role in developing MIDI controllers and custom Synthesisers inside domestic irons to use as performance instruments. She has a passion for experimentation with non-traditional instrument design and its influence on the creative practice of music composition.
Tour Management Mentor
Sarah Ponturo is a creative event management specialist in the entertainment, arts, corporate and NFP industries, with over 15 years experience working on a vast range of large scale events, cultural and music festivals.
The SP team values an enormous passion for developing and producing creative and engaging events, community festivals and detailed production. SP works toward a deep commitment to artistic expression and cultural diversity through community engagement, aiming to always continue to explore new creative challenges with a ton of energy and imaginative flair!
Venue Booking/Producing Mentor
Lori Lee Cash is a professional Event Manager with over 20 years of experience in the events industry. As Managing Director of Robot Productions, she has delivered hundreds of concerts, large-scale festivals and cultural activities in Australia, and is best known for her signature event, the GreazeFest Kustom Kulture Festival, now in its 21st year. In her spare time, Lori Lee can be found crate digging for records, or tinkering in the garage on her 1967 Dodge Phoenix.
QMentorship aims to serve the needs of women with a focus on First Nations professionals and those from regional communities working as part of online mentor and mentee groups. QMentorship is proudly supported and funded by the Queensland Government.
This year’s team of nine mentees will create and deliver a regional tour for mid-2021; working with the industry-leading expert mentors to plan the events circuit, develop budgets, book venues and artists and manage events. Mentees will be supported with 3 x 90 minute one-on-one sessions (online) with an industry leader matched to their project role who they can lean on for knowledge and guidance, as well as fortnightly collaborative meetings (online) with the wider project team.
Funding for QMentorship is from the Queensland Government via the Advancing Women in Business initiative from the Department of Small Business, Employment and Training. This initiative supports and encourages more women to start and grow their own business and attain positions of leadership.
