Education Focus: AIM

Ever seen the 1980 musical Fame? (If you haven't, put down this magazine, rent it, watch it, and then get back to us. It will change your life). There's this scene in which ridiculously talented teens starts jamming together and dancing in the food hall at a performing arts school and it's pretty much every creative's secret dream to recreate that moment. Well, the Australian Institute of Music is as close as you can get to Fame's High School of Performing Arts - but rather than a big musical number at the end, you get a degree... aaand probably a big musical number.

They offer Bachelor, Diploma and Post Graduate courses in Contemporary Performance, Classical Performance, Music Theatre, Composition and Music Production, Dramatic Arts, Entertainment & Arts Management and Audio. AIM also offers a large variety of short courses including Abelton, Songwriting, Logic, DJing, Music Business, Music Theory and one on one voice and instrument lessons.

"All AIM's courses are delivered at our purpose-built campuses in Sydney and Melbourne. AIM's courses are highly practical and taught by industry professionals. AIM students can shape their studies to integrate performance, business management, marketing, individual instrument or voice lessons, audio and sound engineering, music production and many more specialised units. Some students also undertake industry placements as part of their course," explains Marketing Manager Adam St. John-Foti.

"AIM is more than just a music school, with courses that deliver accredited music, entertainment and performing arts training. AIM's purpose built facilities in both Sydney and Melbourne, industry standard music courses, diverse student body and strong industry connections, means that students receive quality education through a range of diploma, degree and graduate programs. At AIM, students have best possible opportunity to build a career in music and entertainment."

With student associations in both the Sydney and Melbourne campuses, there's a strong sense of community nurtured by interaction between courses and departments. "They to do this by getting students together on regular occasions to network and engage with each other through social events such as jam nights, trivia nights, showcase nights, musicals, department networking nights, alumni events and many other events," enthuses St. John-Foti. Plus, there's heaps of opportunities for hands-on experience. "AIM has a formal internship program and a volunteer program. These programs provide students with an opportunity to make connections and familiarise themselves with their industry, as well as taking the knowledge and skills they have gained during their study into the workplace.

With their stellar reputation in the industry, AIM is a go-to for working professionals needing an extra pair of hands, eyes or ears. "AIM is recognised by the industry for providing a high calibre of musicians and industry professionals and are regular sought after for performance and event opportunities, across all areas of performance, production and management," says St. John-Foti.

Head to their information day in Melbourne on Saturday 10 Dec or in Sydney on Saturday 17 Dec to find out about all of the courses on offer.