Photographer: Georgia Jane Griffiths
Dave Burgener, Ali Buckley, Kayne Mills, Sam Rees and Sophie Jones are our team based across NSW and lead regional music development across the state.
Their remit is to deliver development opportunities and work to expand touring circuits across regional NSW. The newly-created roles have been made possible thanks to Create NSW following a landmark four-year funding commitment.
Dave, Ali, Kayne, Sam and Sophie build capacity and relationships between local industry and artists, and provide on-the-ground support for regional musicians, venues and live music professionals to grow regional touring.
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Dave Burgener
Regional Manager, Based on Bundjalung Country, focusing across the North West and Northern Rivers regions.
Dave is a music champion from Northern NSW previously working as a Cultural Planner role for 6 years at Tweed Shire Council where he organised small-scale music festivals, free live music in public parks, professional development workshops and forums. During that time he helped build relationships between the music industry and government sector, provided performance opportunities for local musicians, and advocated for regulatory reform.
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Ali Buckley
Regional Coordinator based on Gumbaynggirr Country, focusing across the Orana, Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast regions.
Ali has been working with MusicNSW since 2021 via the regional music officer program for the Mid North Coast. Ali has also managed her own regional arts consultancy for 20 years, developing and producing projects across the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She was previously Media and Marketing Officer for the Woodford Folk Festival and the Dreaming Festival, and served as assistant to the Executive Director of the Queensland Folk Federation. She founded the Sustainable Living Festival in Armidale and developed the Gumbaynggirr Music Futures program.
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Kayne Mills
Regional Coordinator, based on Wiradjuri Country, focusing across the South West, Riverina and Murray regions.
Kayne is a self-taught multi-instrumentalist and vocalist who has been heavily involved in the development of the Riverina's original music scene for the past 10 years. As a multidisciplinary performer, Mills has a passion for live performance and wants to see the music community of the Riverina thrive.
Sam Rees
Regional Coordinator, based on Yuin- Djiringanj Country, focusing across the Far South and Southern Tablelands regions.
As a lifelong musician growing up in Coolagolite, Rees has been active in the south coast music scene developing relationships with musicians, venue owners and industry professionals for years. During that time he has fostered relationships within the music community and industry providing leadership and mentorship for local musicians. Through his studies in Entertainment Business Management and multiple national tours as a musician, he has found passion and purpose through the entertainment industry.
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Sophie Jones
Regional Coordinator, based on Wiradjuri Country, focusing across the Central West, Outback and West Darling regions.
Sophie is a musician, mentor and music teacher who grew up in Tamworth NSW before moving to Bathurst to complete her B.A Communications (Theatre/Media). Sophie has been actively involved in the Bathurst community and surrounds through touring and performing with her band Smith & Jones, running community choirs and workshops, event management and bookings such as The End Festival in Hill End and the Local Emerging Artists Program (as part of the Inland Sea of Sound Festival), running her own business teaching guitar and singing.