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About Me.

I am a professional Inter-disciplinary Artist and Senior Youth & Community Arts Worker.

Relocating back to Cairns after being away for 25 years, in late 2022 I founded RHYTHM ARTS NORTH.  Which consists of a tight nit team of professional artists who are committed to bringing traditional & contemporary, World Music and Dance to the communities of Far North Queensland. I have over 25 years’ experience in conceptualising and implementing Youth Arts programs. I have designed these for local governments, schools, Indigenous communities, not-for-profit organisations, as well as for culturally and linguistically diverse communities and groups.

 

My extensive professional networks enables me to create innovative youth programs and events, for which I have developed an outcomes’ tracking and measuring system. I have a verifiable ability to liaise and secure project partners and stakeholders from various fronts of industry - making the improbable, possible.

 

Competent interpersonal and written communication skills is key to a successful track record, writing, delivering and acquitting grants for youth and community projects. Below is a selected overview of youth Dance and Music events, projects and programs, of which I played a key role or created and delivered.

PAST PROGRAMS

YOUTH DANCE

Ausdance - Inaugaral National Youth Dance Festival. Selected as the Queensland youth representative on the national committee, which via national teleconferences steered the content and direction of the festival, I also featured as a keynote speaker. I was further motivated by receiving a considerable grant, towards travel, accomadation and expenses to take 12 young people to the Ausdance - Inaugaral National Youth Dance Festival. As part of this grant, I delivered a series of workshops and created a performance piece with the young people who participated in the workshops. My reflections as of the entire experience was published by Ausdance.

 

In the position of Senior Youth Arts Worker for a not-for-profit. I successfully raised $30k [for capital works] for a professionally sprung dance floor and Tarkett, in order to reactivate a very underutilised Youth Arts Centre. I was responsible for selecting the floor and managing the installation, ensuring compliance with safe dance standards. For the following 2 years, I nurtured a youth dance scene that grew exponentially, and catered to everyone, from choreographic development projects by graduates of the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts to developing a thriving Krump & Street Dance youth culture.  A number of young artists I mentored became successful teachers touring regional WA, or created commercial works and secured management, even opened their own dance studio’s becoming business owners.

YOUTH MUSIC

HOOPS & JAMS

YOUTH HIP HOP & BASKETBALL ENGAGEMENT

I created and delivered reoccurring 8-week program combining, live DJs & open mic with 3x3 basketball, delivered by program partner Basketball WA.  A cohort of youth Hip Hop MC’s that met a minimum expectations/criteria including: informal mentoring of younger participants, ability to create lyrics that did not include profanities and expressed positive themes, and consistency with set up and pack down. Were invited to take part in the following program.

Feel free to request some links that showcase this program being successfully delivered

IMPACT

YOUTH HIP HOP PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

A reoccurring 8-week program. Program participants received mentoring by nationally recognised established artists, meet with JJJ presenters who conveyed insider industry expectations and tips. Sound and lighting equipment, artist management and stagecraft. Culminating in a 100% youth driven performance that was professionally staged and delivered by young people. Scouts looking to represent new talent were present for the final performance. Some participants have gone on to have professional careers, touring and playing support acts for major artists.

Feel free to request some links that showcase this program being successfully delivered

MOSH FOR MENTAL HEALTH

YOUTH ENGAGEMENT & MENTAL HEALTH DESITGMATIZATION

During mental health awareness week. National and interstate Heavy Metal bands performed to a sell-out youth show. The bands agreed to speak openly about their own mental health challenges whilst on stage as part of their act, with the objective of de-stigmatising mental health issues amongst young people.

YOUTH CRIME PREVENTION

SUCCESSFULLY FUNDED & PROVEN TO WORK

A collaborative effort from inception to delivery, designed for males, this 10 week - full time program provided repeat youth offenders an immersive experience comprising:

1. Creativity and expression through drumming, DJ works, dance, alternative movement and fitness.

2. Bush survival skills and bush survival skills, delivered by former ADF soldiers.

3. Connection to culture, delivered by Elders from Yarrabah.

These three elements were strategically curated with the objective to create a sense of possibility towards a positive alternative future.

LEADERSHIP | TEACHING | PERFORMANCE  MANAGEMENT

POSITIONS AND POSTINGS

ENTERTAINMENT PRODUCTION & PROMOTION

Owned and operated a successful Arts and Entertainment production business. Specialising in providing World Music and Dance talent for a broad range of clients and budgets. Repeat clients ranged from schools, community groups, local and state government departments to the other end of town with Woodside and BHP Billiton, Duxton & Hilton Hotels, Food & Wine festivals, The Burswood Casino & Sir Richard Branson. The business also enjoyed success promoting national / international acts and curating alternative stages for major electronic music festivals.

FEB 2017- DEC 2019

YMCA HQ - WA

SENIOR YOUTH ARTS WORKER

Directly responsible for reactivating the youth centre and developed a Youth Leadership and stakeholder reference groups. Conceptualized and delivered innovative workshops, programs, events and festivals with young people, resulting in a 90% increase of meaningful engagement. I produced periodic reports and was in a core team that developed a 3year strategic plan which put the place on the map. I provided informal case management for young people accessing education and employment training programs and successfully raised $30k [capital works] towards a professionally sprung dance floor. Responsible for selecting and managing the dancefloor installation, ensuring compliance with safe dance standards.

2005 - 2020

PROFESSIONAL PERFORMER, FACILITATOR & MANAGEMENT

Multiple one-off workshops and school term primary & high school programs throughout the metro area.

Outreach and regional tours providing interactive workshops across the South West, through the Wheat belt and as far north as Derby. Organised & and stage-managed at least 100 events within these 15 years.

2010

CITY OF PORT HEDLAND

YOUTH ARTS CONSULTANT

Engaged by The Town of Port Hedland to create and deliver a series of multi-artform workshops for schools and adult community members, culminating with performances and activities for the official Launch of the new Town Centre. Key responsibilities included: selecting and contracting 12 professional arts workers, travel and logistics, program delivery and reporting, ensuring compliance.

2000 - 2020

BANTUS CAPOEIRA PERTH

NFP. ORG

Co-Founder, Senior Practitioner & Workshop Facilitator

Delivered hundreds of youth and community workshops and performances throughout metro and regional WA.

Achieved success working with refugee integration programs, Indigenous communities, at-risk youth and other marginalised groups.

1998 - 2000

CAIRNS CITY COUNCIL

Developed and delivered a comprehensive Youth Arts Outreach Program for communities with a high Indigenous population. Completed a 2-year mentorship with Youth Arts Development Officer - Michelle Lenders.

1997 - 2020

GRANTS & ARTS MANAGEMENT

A recipient of six government grants towards professional development, production and promotion of youth & community arts projects.

YEAR?

FINALIST - YOUNG AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR

Nominated by the Chairperson of the Far North Cultural Industries Association in the Outstanding Service to Community category. For creating a comprehensive Youth Arts Outreach program that was adopted by the Cairns City Council, ensuring equity to young people and communities that would otherwise be underserved.  

FILM, TV, RADIO

  • Subject of a 30-minute SBS documentary,  featuring Emerging Australian Artists.

  • Multiple feature appearances on popular Australian series E Street.

  • Feature appearances on television commercials, clients included Toyota, Red Bull, Freedom Furniture.

  • Featured artist on Australian music videos for bands Jebadiah and 28 Days.

  • Guest co-presented on community radio stations and held numerous interviews, promoting events.

  • Helped a considerable amount of young artist to have their music played on national radio.

COMMITTEE EXPERIENCE

  • Regional representative for Youth Arts QLD, peak body for youth arts in Queensland

  • State representative for the Inaugural, Bi-annual National Youth Dance Festival.

  • Youth representative for the Far North Cultural Industries Association.

  • Representative for the Regional Arts Development Fund - Multicultural arts & Youth categories.

*REFEREES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST*

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