COASTERS BRING THE MUSIC
The Games provided much more to the Gold Coast than just a pathway for athletes. Musicians also got a chance to shine
GOLD Coast athletes featured highly on the medal table during the city’s Commonwealth Games.
Off the track, some of our emerging music talent were also able to showcase their abilities on the Sound Stage in Broadbeach.
More than 20 TAFE Queensland bachelor of contemporary music practice and diploma of music industry students performed 10 concerts across the Games. Sound and lighting support was also provided by sound-production students.
“Performing in front of the world’s media was an incredible opportunity for all the students as they gain crucial real-world performance experience in front of a live audience at a major event, and put into practice the repertoire of skills they’ve been developing,” said Karen Dickinson, general manager of the TAFE Queensland Gold Coast region.
“For our bachelor students it was a chance to showcase and polish their acts as they prepare to transition into industry upon graduating from the bachelor program later this year,” Ms Dickinson said.
A wide range of genres, performance styles and uses of music technology were showcased during the Games.
Nick Byng, aka Mosaic, started the program at the Media Centre. The Parkwood student is studying his music pathway, a bachelor of contemporary music practice, through the University of Canberra, at the Coomera Campus. Nick’s love for music began when he started playing piano as a child before developing his interest in theory, country music and finally evolving to producing electronic music.
Like his fellow students, Mr Byng was also involved in various gigs around the Gold Coast during the Games, as well as 98 Records, a local community label for a range of artists to promote and host music events.
“I love being a music student at TAFE Queensland, and with the assistance of the incredible teachers who are actively involved in the music industry, this has been a great help and motivated me to step up my game in preparation for the GC2018 event and for my future ventures,” Mr Byng said.
“I can’t wait to perform and showcase my skills to the guests visiting our talented city.”
Mr Byng has ambitions of one day being a sound engineer and owning his own creative hub encompassing studio, film and art. Fellow bachelor of music student, Dana Lowrey, going by the stage name Tobi, hails from Mermaid Beach and was also thrilled to perform her one-hour set on the Sound Stage.
“It is so awesome to be a part of the Games. I’m totally stoked to be playing my music to the world’s media and delegates at the media centre,” said Ms Lowrey after her performance.
“I’ve only played my latest music that was developed in class to 100 people. “It’s awesome to know that people from other countries will be exposed to the music developed by TAFE Queensland students. The teachers at the Coomera campus have helped us develop our techniques and given us the skills necessary to feel confident to perform at our best at this event.
“Our TAFE teachers offer us real-life experience and actually care about our future careers and want us to succeed in the music industry.”
Those wanting to learn more about TAFE Queensland’s music program or to explore their music future can head to their website,