MusicNSW Reveals Participants for Inaugural Wamarra Music Lab

The participants and facilitators of MusicNSW's inaugural Wamarra Music Lab - a First Nations led business program - have been revealed.

The one-of-a-kind program, happening in Sydney in May, was created by MusicNSW First Nations Development Manager Kaleena Smith to strengthen the First Nations music ecosystem and support First Nations-led businesses to grow while maintaining cultural integrity and community centred practices.

Participants will come together to share their experiences and grow new knowledge and skills as they build a sustainable roadmap for growing their business.

Nine First Nations music business leaders working across artist management, record labels, community organisations, cultural advocacy and more have been selected to participate: Yellowbelly Bourke's Alex Clarke, Peace and Love Records' Dani Teveluwe, Sovereigh Arts Group's Joseph Clarke, Mad Proppa Deadly's Nate Weatherall, QMusic and BIGSOUND's Nat Lingwodock, Soward Management's Patrice Soward, NATSIMO's Sue Ray, Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation's Robert C Bundle, and Pawa Haus Creative's Wall Pawa-Oui.

The program will be delivered with guidance and care from industry experts Alfred Walker (Yarpa), Catherine Satour (Support Act), Daen Phillips (Terri Janke and Company), Leticia Forbes (Yirra Miya), Letisha Ackland (Balya Productions) and Monica Davidson (Creative Plus Business).

“Wamarra Music Lab is really special to me. This is a program led by the First Nations team at MusicNSW and that is informed by mob and grounded in culture and community," Smith said of the inaugural program. "The participants are all leading deadly music businesses already doing incredible work. This lab is about backing them to grow, connect and lead on their own terms.”

MusicNSW Managing Director Joe Muller added: “Wamarra Music Lab is informed by an ongoing process of deep listening and consultation with community, led with care by Kaleena Smith and her team. This is reflected in the calibre of participants and speakers in this first year. We are thrilled to support them as they develop and grow their music businesses.”

For more information, see here.