The year of 2013 will mark the twentieth anniversary of the Australian International Conservatorium of Music.

To kick off the party, and to celebrate a fantastic and event-filled 2012, AMPA held a concert, Sounds on the Harbour, at the beautiful Utzon Room, Sydney Opera House on October 14.

The concert showcased the immense diversity of student talent on offer at AMPA and featured some of our finest artists across classical, jazz, contemporary and world music.

Some notable acts on the day were vocal trio, Secret Chords (Zulfa Shafira, Amelia Ltavao, and Ane Ltavao) who performed a hauntingly beautiful version of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’; and Amelia Richards with her original track “I’ll Bring the Sunshine”. Siamak Farrukhsereshti and Mahoor Jadidi added a vibrant splash of the Middle East with their group, Persian Fusion.

Secret Chords with 'Hallelujah' Amelia Richards Band Persian Fusion: Mahoor, Siamak and Mustafa

Sounds on the Harbour not only illustrated the rich history of AMPA, it also signalled the beginning of a bright future as the conservatorium evolves into the music school of the future.

Alongside current AMPA students, Sounds on the Harbour featured performances from teachers Evgeny Ukhanov and Kornelia Perchy, who have both joined the AMPA staff in 2012. Australian Performing Arts Grammar School student Angel Tairua mesmerised the audience with her rendition of Grenade by Bruno Mars, and future AMPA student and One Scholarship winner Nadia McCarthy performed her spectacular version of Nina Simone’s ‘Plain Gold Ring’.

Evgeny Ukhanov and Kornelia Perchy APGS student Angel Tairua One Scholarship winner Nadia McCarthy who will be joining AMPA in 2013

Congratulations to everyone who performed and helped on the day for putting together a truly spectacular concert. You guys are awesome!

The AMPA Vocal Ensemble performing the Sounds on the Harbour finale, 'Bohemian Rhapsody'

Events News

AMPA students are in for a treat next week when renowned bassist, composer and music producer, Leon Gaer gives a masterclass on record production.

DATE: Friday 9th March
TIME: 12.30 - 2.00pm
VENUE: AMPA, Rozelle

“Leon Gaer is not only an amazing performer but also an amazing teacher and mentor for young players intent on a musical career. He gives inspiration to students who are fortunate enough to study with him.”
– Dr Greg Whateley, AMPA Senior Advisor

Sharing techniques and ideas on record production, the masterclass will include:
PRE-PRODUCTION

Producers Fee Negotiation

Producers Fee Structure (Royalties or Buy Out)

Costing

Tessitura of Vocalist

Arranging

Headphone sends

Musicians and Vocalists Physical Needs

Negotiating and Booking Musicians

Rehearsals Before vs During the Session

The concept of “Demo Love”

Studio Set Up

PRODUCTION

De-Clutter the Studio

Musicians and Vocalists Emotional Needs

Headphone Mix

Home Studio or Commercial Studio

Realistic Time Structure (Working Hours)

Setting the Mood

Born in 1954 and raised in Los Angeles, Leon moved to Sydney in 1987. He has been a full time professional musician since 1973 and as a bass player, has played on over 1,500 recording sessions in Los Angeles, New York and Sydney for CDs and television. He has also performed in concert with many artists worldwide. His compositions and productions have been performed and broadcast worldwide on many programs including The Oprah Show and Channel 7 Sports Tonight.

Leon has lectured extensively on music production and AMPA is excited to have him present his masterclass in March.
All students and friends of AMPA are welcome to attend this FREE class. Students must register their attendance by emailing their names to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by 5pm Thursday 8th March.

Community News

The 1st Ars Nova International Piano Competition will be held in Singapore from 30th July to 4th August 2012. Organised by MW Events Management and supported by Yamaha Music Singapore and MS Works, this competition serves as a platform for young and aspiring talents to compete and achieve opportunities for artiste career development as well as allows for the collection of cultural exchange and networking.

This inaugural event is unique as it includes a non-competitive category where pianists may participate for exposure and experience to showcase their talents without being subjected to actual competition. Additionally, there is a piano duet category that other piano competitions around the Asian region have yet to offer.

The Ars Nova International Piano Compensation Lawyers consists of participants from China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, Thailand, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand. The judging panel will include pianists and professors from universities in Australia, Germany, United States and Singapore.

(AMPA BMus Undergraduate, Trimester 5)

Sit back and chill out to the smooth grooves of AMPA student Amanda Barnes. Amanda commenced her Bachelor of Music at AMPA in 2012 and is a contemporary and jazz vocalist.

How long have you been studying at AMPA and what do you like about it?

I have been studying at AMPA since the beginning of 2012, so I am heading into my 5th semester. There are so many things I love about the place, I'm not really sure where to start. One of the things that intimidated me about other uni's is that there were so many people. I come from a small town, and from a school that had 130 students from K-12, so I wasn't keen about going to a place that I would just be another number, rather than a musician who has the opportunity to be seen in a class, to be heard amongst the people, to get one-on-one attention with lectures and mentors who have the time to focus on you.

What inspires you? What makes you want to sit down and write a song?

Music that is simply beautiful, and that takes different forms. Sometimes it's just a melody that is so pure and genius, that slots in with the music and just makes you go 'wow'! Other times is the genuine heart behind the person delivering the song. Sometimes the whole band works together amazingly and everyone is doing there own thing, but you can hear them bouncing off each other and the energy of the music and musicians is catching.

Tell me about your favourite artists and musicians.

My favourite artists and musicians come from all over the place! I love Ella Fitzgerald, she’s someone who is just singing, not over complicating the melody or covering the music with trills, but trusting her voice to be pure and natural and all that is needed to be amazing. I also admire Aretha Franklin for her Passion and Soul. But there are really so many, that I wouldn't say I had a favorite.

How do you describe your music?

I try to apply these values that I admire in others music into my own. I mainly sing Jazz, Pop and a bit of Soul, my music tends to show a part of me to those who will listen... I think music is a great way for people to get in touch with their own emotions and passion, and I try to create music that helps.

If you could play at any venue in the world, where would you play?

I would love to play in one of the great New Orleans old music clubs - you know the kind of places where the musical greats of Jazz really lit it up? I just think that would be an awesome experience.

If you could play with any musician (past/present/dead/alive) who it would be and why?

Hands down, I would love to sing with Aretha Franklin and/or Tony Bennett. These guys totally opened my eyes to a new kind of music (after a childhood of listening to my sisters Spice Girls albums) and really shaped the way for my musical career.

If you could have written one song that someone else wrote, what song would it be and why?

If you asked me today, I would say "Someone to Watch over Me", it has such beautiful lyrics, and a melody that is so pure and genius. I love it, and it would be awesome to take credit for it.

What’s been your highlight of studying at AMPA so far?

The highlight studying at AMPA would be the Band nights, at the end of semester, showing off what you have been working on, and there has been a few bands in particular that I have worked with that have been really tight, and just a joy to produce music with.

The ACADEMY OF MUSIC AND PERFORMING ARTS (AMPA) is a leading tertiary institution in Sydney offering world-class degrees in music and the performing arts.

AMPA’s Music Production & Composition focus area offers tailored programs to nurture, encourage and develop the unique creative voice of each artist who undertakes the program.
 

Course Overview

AMPA’s innovative undergraduate degrees merge high-level performance and practical training with academic rigour and unparalleled industry insight. Students can personalise their degree based around their individual musical interests and aspirations. AMPA undergrads may choose to undertake a double major and focus on two areas and can choose electives across all focus areas to further tailor their degree.
 

Focus Area: Music Production & Composition

The AMPA Music Production & Composition department provides students with a range of songwriting and arranging techniques, as well as music production, mixing and recording skills. Students will develop their own unique ideas and explore different modes of music delivery, as well as gain enhanced analytical and theoretical musical knowledge. Students will undergo practical training through individual teaching sessions in the studio and workshopping of their projects, as well as the opportunity to take a second individual study in an instrument or voice. Alongside this, they will receive practical performance skills through collaboration with contemporary and classical performance students and ensembles at AMPA. Practical training is complemented by the study of harmony, ear training, music history and industry studies.

This course is particularly relevant for aspiring songwriters and composers, and those wanting to explore a career in music production, video game music, music for film, content creation and a range of other creative industries.  

Course Structure (by trimester)

Course Progression

Students can transfer from the Associate Degree into the Bachelor Degree at any of the below transfer points. Students that have started in the Bachelor Degree also have the option of exiting after 4 trimesters with an Associate Degree.

Teaching Faculty

The AMPA Teaching Faculty are highly experienced educators with extensive industry and professional experience. Excellence of instruction and rigorous training ensure that AMPA graduates are equipped for successful careers in a highly competitive industry. Staff continue to mentor and network with students after graduation in order to support their continued growth and career potential.

View the AMPA Teaching Faculty  

Graduate Pathways

Composition graduates go on to become composers for ensembles, films, video games, media and advertisements, as well as soundtrack producers, music directors, and marketing and administration professionals in arts councils and creative industries. Additionally, graduates are qualified to undertake postgraduate studies in a range of areas including: teaching in secondary schools, TAFE and universities/colleges, arts management, creative industries, and further composition studies.
 

Admissions

Entry Requirements: Completion of HSC or equivalent OR completion of at least one full time year of tertiary study OR as a mature age student. Provisional admission may be granted for students limited educational qualifications.

Admissions Process: Portfolio + Interview + Musical Knowledge Test

For further information on admissions procedures, please refer to Section 3.1 of the AMPA Student Handbook.
 

Download Flyer for the Music Production & Composition Course

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The Classical study program produces unique and professional musicians who, due to the highly practical and individual training offered at AMPA, are able to hit the ground running when they embark on their careers as classical performers and other music professionals.
 

Course Overview

AMPA’S innovative undergraduate degrees merge high-level performance and practical training with academic rigour and unparalleled industry insight. Students can personalise their degree based around their individual musical interests and aspirations. 

Unlike many institutions in Australia, AMPA remains focused on individual, one-to-one learning. This means that music students are entitled to receive a 60 minute lesson per week as part of their Principal Study unit, along with an additional 30 minute lesson as part of Second Study. The option of taking a Second Study is particularly unique to AMPA, and a valuable tool for students with more than one skill eg. piano/voice or violin/piano.
 

Focus Area: Classical Music

As a classical musician at AMPA, students intensively study a broad range of repertoire from across a number of different periods. Students will work closely with an expert tutor in their field and instrument of choice, and have opportunities to perform at many AMPA events, as well as external concerts and functions. AMPA boasts some of the finest classical teachers in Australia, who nurture and guide students through their musical journey. The institution designs individually structured courses to ensure students gain the utmost from their degree.

Choose electives to complement and refine your degree from classes such as: Conducting, Music Theatre, Arranging and Orchestrating, Studio Teaching, Recording, Jazz/Classical Fusion and more

Course Structure

Course Progression

Students can transfer from the Associate Degree into the Bachelor Degree at any of the below transfer points. Students that have started in the Bachelor Degree also have the option of exiting after 4 trimesters with an Associate Degree.
 

Teaching Faculty

The AMPA Teaching Faculty are highly experienced educators with extensive industry and professional experience. Excellence of instruction and rigorous training ensure that AMPA graduates are equipped for successful careers in a highly competitive industry. Staff continue to mentor and network with students after graduation in order to support their continued growth and career potential.

View the AMPA Teaching Faculty   
 

Graduate Pathways

Many classical performance graduates go on to perform as soloists and ensemble players in professional ensembles and orchestras, as well as conductors, arrangers, music directors, studio teachers and managers. Others choose to take the path toward marketing and administration in arts councils and creative industries. Additionally, graduates are qualified to undertake postgraduate studies in a range of areas including: teaching in secondary schools, TAFE and universities/colleges, arts management, creative industries, and further music studies.
 

Course Overview

Entry Requirements: Completion of HSC or equivalent OR completion of at least one full time year of tertiary study OR as a mature age student. Provisional admission may be granted for students limited educational qualifications.

Admissions Process: Audition + Interview + Musical Knowledge Test

For further information on admissions procedures, please refer to Section 3.1 of the AMPA Student Handbook.
 

‘Download Flyer for the Classical Music Course’

Career Pathways

As a graduate of AICM you will be able to demonstrate an advanced performing technique, a professional attitude, and a fluent confident manner for effective leadership. You will be able to value the skills needed for establishing and maintaining a network of contacts, and to diversify your professional skills to maximize opportunities in your chosen career.

Our graduates are typically employed in a variety of industries including: