Answered by: Jesse Hooper - Head of Music & Tommy Rando - Head of Music Production
What kind of courses do you offer? JH: We offer a handful of courses for every kind of person passionate about the entertainment industry including Music Performance, Music Production, Audio Production, Entertainment Management, Entertainment Journalism, Content Creation and, our latest, Fashion Marketing!
What kinds of people would most benefit from these courses? TR: Anyone who's passionate about music, arts, fashion and entertainment will love the Collarts community and benefit from how we tackle learning about the industries. We celebrate all kinds of artists and tastemakers, our courses working towards teaching students industry skills so that they are job-ready.
JH: We do this by teaching them essential skills, both practical and theoretical. For those dreaming of being a recording artist, composer, writer or more, Collarts offers something for everyone as we have a wide range of course options and electives available. Want to learn how to use Pro Tools or the ins and outs of basic live sound? We have options for everyone.
Do you offer practical on-site learning or more of a theoretical base? JH: Our Music Performance course balances practical, creative, technical and industry-related skills with a focus on contemporary music performance and songwriting. Working with our ARIA Award-winning teachers and staff, you will extensively develop your ability in solo and collaborative music performance, analysis, songwriting and technical musicianship, all the while working closely with industry professionals.
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TR: Within our Music Production course, you will be trained and mentored by international industry experts who are currently working as music producers, DJs, audio professionals, recording artists, composers and music creators. Aside from mastering a variety of software applications, you will gain practical skills, comprehensive knowledge to collaborate and perform with technology. Furthermore, you'll create a portfolio with artistic direction and entrepreneurial skills within the music business.
What makes you different to other educational institutions? TR: Being an independent tertiary college allows Collarts to offer a more specialised experience than a traditional university. Students are taught by industry leaders who have collectively worked with the world's best music acts, produced and recorded award-winning albums, managed some of Australia's best-known events and created creative content for some of the world's leading media outlets. We're experience-focused at Collarts and believe students should be mentored by industry leaders in order to work in the industry.
What kind of social activities do you offer? JH: We pride ourselves on creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for all students, with a range of student activities, experiences and opportunities happening throughout the entire year. Collarts is involved in a number of events and festivals, and students have exclusive opportunities to get involved in activities like St Jerome's Laneway Festival, UNIFY - A Heavy Music Gathering and Paradise Festival. Likewise, students have plenty of opportunities to put their talent on display - our staff and students putting together events like composition and mixing competitions, open mic nights, gigs and holiday celebrations. We're big on socialising at Collarts, where we also provide ample opportunities to get to know your classmates with movie nights, parties, free breakfast during exams and pizza days.
Do you offer job opportunities, internships, or other ways to help students get ahead? JH: By offering a hands-on, collaborative approach to learning, Collarts strives to support those who want to succeed in the creative and entertainment industries, both nationally and internationally. Throughout their education, students are given opportunities to gain work experience at music festivals, entertainment venues, recording facilities, radio stations, and with brands and organisations at the forefront of contemporary culture. It's really exciting and as part of each degree students also undertake a comprehensive work placement.
What's an example of your students' post-education achievements? TR: Collarts students have gone on to wide-ranging success in the music and entertainment industries. Our students are regularly featured artists on triple j Unearthed with several students doing exciting things in music including Georgia State Line, The Bean Project, Pat Wilson, TRQS and Rachel Sosbey. Collarts students are making their mark in the live music scene, working on the UNIFY - A Heavy Music Gathering, Sia, Stevie Nicks and Adele tours. Our alumni are working in a range of roles at great organisations like Barely Dressed Records, UNIFIED Music Group, Beyond The Valley festival, SYN FM radio station and VultureHound magazine.
What was one of the highlights of your institution's 2017? JH: 2017 has been another incredible year for Collarts. We've seen such a demand for our unique brand of industry-connected education that we have introduced three new courses in Music Production, Content Creation and Fashion Marketing. We continued to expand our industry involvement, partnering with the 2018 Australian tour for hypnotising multi-platform artist Sevdaliza, giving one of our students the chance to join the touring team and working alongside the crew to gain industry-recognised experience. Collarts also entered an exciting new partnership with the sold-out UNIFY - A Heavy Music Gathering and celebrated another successful year partnering with St Jerome's Laneway Festival — both of these partnerships providing invaluable opportunities and industry experience for our students
When and where is your next Info Day/Open Day? 20 Jan, Collarts Open Day, South Melbourne and Fitzroy campuses. Register at collarts.edu.au/open-day
Website link for more info: collarts.edu.au
