As World Music Day is celebrated around the globe on Friday, a spotlight is shining on a local TAFE NSW music graduate achieving success in the multi-billion-dollar industry.

According to Sound NSW’s first State of the Scene Report, the live music industry employs more than 14,000 people in New South Wales and has an economic output of $5.5 billion each year.

Supporting this industry are musicians and technical professionals, including sound engineers, record producers, and composers. TAFE NSW is delivering a pipeline of workers to the sector through the music and production courses it offers, including at TAFE NSW Wollongong.

Corey Gee studied a Certificate IV in Music (Sound Production) there, graduating in 2017, and has gone on to become one of the South Coast’s most sought-after live music producers for concerts and gigs across the region. The leap into the industry has seen Mr Gee mix sound for artists including Grinspoon singer Phil Jamieson, Ben Lee, Skegss, and Jen Cloher. He has also worked with the likes of You Am I, Regurgitator, San Cisco, Art vs. Science, and Thirsty Merc.

“I was initially interested in learning about sound production so I could record my own band, so I enrolled at TAFE NSW to develop those skills; but while studying I instead grew a love for live sound production,” Mr Gee said.

“At the time, I was working in a hardware store and my mate said to me, ‘Why don’t you try and use what you’re learning to get a job in the music industry?’. That really resonated with me, so I quit my job and started contracting to local venues in the Illawarra and producing their music gigs. It was a big leap, but I was young and wanted to take the chance.”

“I feel incredibly fortunate to be working full-time as a live sound engineer. I’m working in an industry I’m passionate about and in a job I love - where I can use my skills to bring magic to the lives of others and contribute to a thriving Illawarra music scene,” Mr Gee said.

“Studying at TAFE NSW gave me a strong set of practical skills that enabled me to hit the ground running. Instead of entering the industry completely green, I knew the ground rules of sound production, what was expected, the terminology, and had the skills and confidence to start producing gigs.”

Mr Gee said he is proud to be contributing to the vibrant live music scene in the Illawarra.

“The Wollongong music scene is one of the greatest and most unique music scenes in all of Australia, and I’m so proud to be a part of it. Everyone supports each other and there’s a real hunger for local music in the city,” he said.

“Wollongong keeps turning out great bands and I’m glad to play a part in helping elevate their prominence, all thanks to the skills and insights I’ve gained by studying at TAFE NSW.”

TAFE NSW Media, Arts, Design, and Entertainment Head Teacher John Kilbey said the music courses provide students with the knowledge and practical skills they need to start working in the industry.

“World Music Day is a timely moment to recognise the people who contribute to the music industry and how they enrich the lives of others through their work,” Mr Kilbey said. “TAFE NSW has a long history of delivering a pipeline of talented workers to the music industry through our courses in the discipline.

“By studying music here, students have access to teachers with significant experience and connections in the industry, as well as high-quality equipment to enhance their learning and ready them for the workforce.

“Our courses provide students with the opportunity to develop practical skills that will see them hit the ground running when they begin working professionally – whether that be as musicians or in technical and sound production roles.”

Media contact: Rob Virtue, Communications Specialist, rob.virtue@tafensw.edu.au