The current members of the AYMC are: Michael Sollis (Chair), Kellie Wilson (Vice Chair), Jehan Kanga (Secretary), Rowan Brand (Treasurer), Alex Masso (Communications), Andrew Stone, George Jackson, James “Jimblah” Alberts, Asher Christophers, and Erinn Swan.
MICHAEL SOLLIS
Michael is an Australian born composer and artistic director of The Griffyn Ensemble. Michael completed a composition major under Jim Cotter and Larry Sitsky at the ANU (Australian National University) School of Music in 2005, and in that year received the Harold Allen Memorial Prize for Composition. In 2006 he received a scholarship from the Australian Research Council to participate in ethnomusicological research in the Papua New Guinea highlands for which he received the University Medal from the ANU School of Music and Department of Anthropology.
He has been recognised by leading established composers such as Martin Bresnick and Stephen Leek, and has been Composer in Residence for The Australian Voices and Music For Everyone. Michael has also written for diverse ensembles such as dominantSEVEN, Tucana Flute Quartet, the Canberra Mandolin Orchestra and the Queensland Conservatorium Brass Band. Between 2005 and 2007 Michael established the SoundACT program which saw over 1000 school students premiere new works. He is currently ACT Manager for Musica Viva Australia, General Manager of the Young Music Society’s Summer School, and member of the ACT Cultural Council, as well as the conductor of several community and youth groups in the ACT.
Michael was elected Chair in September 2010.
www.michaelsollis.com
KELLIE WILSON has a background spanning a wide range of musical genres, and subsequent experience in festival coordination, arts promotion, broadcasting, fundraising and management. She has been a presenter of ‘Daybreak Classics’ with 4MBS Classic FM in Queensland.
In 2008, Kellie represented Australia at the International Federation for Choral Music’s inaugural Arts Management forum in Caen, France, and subsequently worked in fundraising and philanthropy with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s Capital Campaign. As part of Europa Cantat’s Young Event Management Program, Kellie was the only participant from Australia/NZ in the 2009 Choral Music Festival in the Netherlands.
Kellie is passionate about all forms of music styles, and has performed in various orchestras and ensembles as a chamber and solo violinist and singer. She now works in Perth for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra.
Kellie is the Vice Chair of the Australian Youth Music Council: vicechair.aymc@mca.org.au
JEHAN KANGA is a baroque violinist and Early Music Director representing the next generation in Australia’s early music scene. Currently completing a n honours year in Chemistry as part of a Bachelor of Science (Adv) and Bachelor of Commerce degree majoring in Chemistry, Pharmacology, Finance, and Economics – his real passion is music and he spends much time arranging concerts for various groups around Sydney.
Jehan studied violin with Alex Todicescu, and Janos Negyesy in San Diego. His studies in historically informed performance practice has him performing with The Renaissance Players, Sydney Conservatorium Early Music Ensemble, Barefoot Musica Antigua (founder), and Ensemble Con Brio, USA (founding Director). Jehan has studied conducting with Chris Shepard assisting the Sydneian Bach Choir and is currently Artistic Director of The Madrigal Society. Recently Jehan was appointed Assistant Director of the Song Company under Roland Peelman.
With a growing reputation as enrepreneur from success starting new groups and re-vamping older ones, among Jehan’s current and recent commitments are Director of the Verge Arts Festival 2009, co-founder of the Sydney University Opera Company, and co-founder of the Sydney University Performing Arts Network. Plans for 2010 include two concert series with the Renaissance Players, several engagements with his various Sydney based choirs, and enough work with The Song Company to keep him busy.
Jehan is Secretary of the Australian Youth Music Council: secretary.aymc@mca.org.au
ROWAN BRAND currently holds a number of positions in the Australian and international music industries: he co-manages the Sydney alternative band Boy & Bear, and provides management consultancy to self-managed artists.Rowan is also Artist Coordinator for one of Australia’s largest drug-and-alcohol-free music events, Easterfest, and Coordinator of the GMA-ANZ, the peak body for Christian music in Australia and New Zealand, a position he was offered at age 20.
Rowan has completed a Bachelor of Creative Arts (International Studies) at Macquarie University. He was selected to attend the JB Seed Management Workshop for emerging artist managers in 2008 and has worked with the prestigious CMJ Music Marathon in New York City.
Rowan is the Treasurer of the Australian Youth Music Council: treasurer.aymc@mca.org.au
ALEX MASSO is a drummer who identifies most with jazz and improvised music. He holds a Bachelor of Music (Jazz Performance) from Sydney Conservatorium. Alex has played with several jazz groups, including Trio Apoplectic, The Vampires, Marc Hannaford Trio and The Cope St Parade. He is also involved with the improvised/experimental music scene, particularly The Splinter Orchestra.
Alex works as Event Co-ordinator, Jazz Assistant and music teacher at Wollongong Conservatorium of Music. He has served on committees for The Jazzgroove Association (2006-08) and theNOWnow (2007-09) and has organized a number of touring and festival projects over the past few years.
During 2010 Alex was Chair of the AYMC and Youth Councillor for the Music Council of Australia.
ANDREW STONE is a musician, composer and band manager who has been working in and around the Australian music scene for the past seven years. Trained in classical and jazz piano, Andrew spent 18 months in France refining his art before moving back to Australia and collaborating with several artists and bands in both jazz and contemporary fields.
Andrew has toured Australia with various Big Bands, and spent time with the Queensland Youth Orchestra Big Band in far-north Queensland working with young indigenous musicians. Well-known for his work with Brisbane based rock-pop group, The Quills, Andrew’s latest project Montpelier recently returned from the USA where they recorded a debut record with renowned producer Kevin Augunas, and has just returned from a highly successful Australian tour
In addition to this, Andrew is interested in new models of music management and developing independent artists in the sector. He is also involved in school contemporary music workshops, where topics include music and lyric composition, group instrumental workshops, music marketing and studio recording.
Andrew Stone was instrumental in setting up the AYMC and as the Youth Councillor on the MCA during the period of creating the group.
ERINN SWAN is a dynamic 23-year-old artist from Brisbane, Australia. Erinn is known mostly for her work with the performance and industry sides of the Australian music scene as songwriter, performer, and talent scout for major and independent record labels. Her new project ‘Streamer Bendy‘ has medium rotation on Triple J, and she has just returned from a songwriting trip in Stockholm, Sweden where she wrote with the likes of Wayne Beckford (Akon, Britney, Robyn).
Erinn is Sony Music’s A&R scout for Queensland. She also ran a small independent label ‘Smile Or Die Music’ for three years where she managed and worked intimately with the Brisbane scene. Erinn also worked at Mercury Mobility for a year, programming music for the mobile platform, and researching ideas for how to cope with the music industries’ shift to the digital realm.
JAMES ALBERTS (aka Jimblah) is a hip hop artist from South Australia. In 2007, he won the Hilltop Hoods initiative and since then has performed all over the country, including at the Big Day Out and Good Vibrations festivals. His debut album will be released this year.
In an eclectic musical life, the Adelaide MC also plays drums, works as a dj, produces for other artists and works in a record store. He does lots a great work in the community, teaching hip-hop workshops, and has participated in many projects including Blak Trax 05 and 08, supported by Kurruru Youth Performing Arts, and as a Tutor for Carclew Youth Arts on their Nunga days, the leadup to Blak Nite, and as Tutor for Vibe Alive.
Jimblah represents his Indigenous roots to the fullest, never forgetting nor compromising who he is, and that strength of self shines through in his music.
GEORGE JACKSON
George started performing with family in New Zealand at the age of 9 touring full time, presenting an educational show in schools. In 2005 he moved to Australia (age 16) to begin work with the Queensland Arts Council’s “Ontour in Schools” and “Ontour by Request” touring schemes, taking him all across QLD until 2008.
He has received two scholarships (2007, 2008) to study fiddle music in America at the Valley of the Moon Fiddle Camp, studying with master fiddlers from across the globe. He has also performed in Korea as part of the New Zealand Highland Dancing Team (2007). Recently George has been performing fiddle with country bands “The McClymonts” and “The Garth Brooks Tribute Show”. Recent awards include; FAA Young Folk Musician 2010, CMAA Australian Bluegrass Fiddle and Banjo Championships 2010 and Australian Golden Fiddle Award 2009 for Youth Achievement.
George lives in Brisbane and is currently studying jazz at Queensland Conservatorium.
ASHER CHRISTOPHERS is a passionate musician, environmentalist and entrepreneur who runs www.austepmusic.com.au – providing CD replication, printing, and promotion resources for the Australian music industry.
Recognising the power of music to influence culture, Asher is an active figure in the green music movement, working with industry to raise awareness and take action.
Asher first joined the Australian Youth Music Council when he was invited to speak on a green music panel at the Music Council of Australia’s annual assembly in 2010.
Among other adventures, Asher also manages the LED lighting division of www.propa.com.au, however music remains his main focus.
