Monday 9 October 2023

Diploma of Music students like Jessie Davies are taking advantage of the world-class facilities at TAFE NSW Grafton to transform their passion projects into professional careers.

According to the Australian Government’s labour market insight data for music professionals, the music industry is set to grow by over 8% by 2026. The number of jobs has almost doubled since 2018, with opportunities increasing as new technology is created.

Singer and guitarist Jessie, a high school music teacher who is upskilling with TAFE NSW, credits the hands-on learning at TAFE NSW, in addition to her dedicated industry-savvy teachers and Grafton campus’s specialty music facility, for giving her the practical knowledge to propel her side hustle in this new digital age.

Her eccentric rock band, the Black Cows, have just released its debut EP ‘Kinda Human’ on CD, vinyl and streaming giant Spotify. It is also stocked in the likes of the iconic Buckley’s Record Group in Grafton. 

Jessie said her diploma studies enabled her to perfect the in-demand skill of music production and use industry knowledge to navigate newer distribution avenues such as Spotify. 

“I’ve always been a teacher by day, muso by night, but studying at TAFE NSW has taken my music to a whole new level,” Jessie said.

“I now have the technical knowledge and industry know-how to enter the industry as a professional in the digital age. Music is my passion, but TAFE NSW has turned that into much more. It has been a big commitment to take a year off my teaching job to pursue diploma studies but it has been beyond worth it as I work towards living and working my dream.”

Team Leader for Media, Arts, Design and Entertainment at TAFE NSW in the north region, Steve McDonald, said the Diploma of Music opened a range of possibilities for music-lovers.

“The success of students like Jessie goes to show that music is not just a hobby, it can be a career, and our Diploma of Music program teaches students how to both develop as musicians and monetise their passion whether that’s through music production, performing professionally or plugging necessary skills shortages such as technician roles,” Mr McDonald said.

“TAFE NSW Grafton has some of the most specialised music facilities outside of Australia’s capital cities, enabling regional students to learn in an environment which replicates the real-life music industry. This means our students are industry-qualitied and ready to rock and roll their way into an in-demand career in our booming post-COVID music scene.”

Media contact: Lee Tobin, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, mediarelease@tafensw.edu.au