MusicNSW is delighted to announce the nine participants who will be joining us in Sydney (Gadigal) this May for the inaugural Wamarra Music Lab – a 5-day First Nations-led incubator program designed to support the development of First Nations businesses.
Wamarra Music Lab was created by MusicNSW First Nations Development Manager Kaleena Smith to strengthen the First Nations music ecosystem and empower First Nations-led businesses to thrive while maintaining cultural integrity and community-centred practices.
We are so excited to bring this incredible group of First Nations music business leaders together:
- Alex Clarke (Yellowbelly Bourke)
- Dani Teveluwe (Peace and Love Records)
- Joseph Clarke (Sovereign Arts Group)
- Nate Weatherall (Mad Proppa Deadly)
- Nat Lingwodock (QMusic)
- Patrice Soward (Soward Management)
- Robert C Bundle (Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation)
- Sue Ray (NATSIMO)
- Will Pawa-Oui (Pawa Haus Creative)
The Lab will provide First Nations music business leaders a culturally safe space for vital skills development, mentorship and networking through workshops, masterclasses and opportunities for shared reflection, guided and mentored by six key industry figures:
- Alfred Walker (Yarpa)
- Catherine Satour (Support Act)
- Daen Phillips (Terri Jenke and Company)
- Leticia Forbes (Yirra Miya)
- Letisha Ackland (Balya Productions)
- Monica Davidson (Creative Plus Business)
Participants will explore key areas including building a clear, sustainable roadmap for a music business, financial capability & sustainability, building meaningful connections within the music industry & more.
For Kaleena Smith, who leads First Nations development at MusicNSW, the first Wamarra Music Lab is an opportunity to create connections between and support the growth of First Nations-led music businesses already doing exceptional work in their communities.
“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. 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 shared that the program has been shaped by First Nations artists and industry through extensive consultation by Kaleena and her team.
“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.”
MEET THE PARTICIPANTS:
Alex Clarke
Yellowbelly Bourke
A proud Ngemba-Murrawarri man, who is a music producer, rapper and barber, Alex Clarke runs Yellowbelly - a barbershop, cafe and music studio in Bourke built on a passion for community.
Dani Teveluwe
Peace and Love Records
A proud Wayilwan woman, Dani Teveluwe owns Peace and Love Records, an independent label that is people, art and Earth-first, and is the creative force behind the music project Sunny Luwe.
Joseph Clarke
Sovereign Arts Group
Joseph Clarke owns Sovereign Arts Group, a First Nations artist management and promotions company focused on removing industry barriers and providing holistic support to the next generation of First Nations musicians.
Nate Weatherall
Mad Proppa Deadly
A Gumbaynggirr and Gamilaroi man from Armidale, Nate is an artist, producer, youth worker and the Co-Founder and Director of Mad Proppa Deadly. He runs music workshops for young people and supports them to build confidence, express themselves and showcase their talent.
Nat Lingwodock
Artist Manager / QMusic / BIGSOUND
A Birri, Kabi Kabi, Byelee and South Sea Islander woman living on Kabi Kabi country, Nat brings deep roots in community, music and culture to her work. She represents Bundjalung and South Sea Islander rapper JK-47 and supports First Nations artists at QMusic and BIGSOUND.
Patrice Soward
Soward Management
A proud Wiradjuri woman with nearly two decades in event and talent management in music and sports, Patrice runs Soward Management, working as a business analyst and coach, keynote speaker and MC, cultural consultant, and First Nations Producer in Residence at Canberra Theatre.
Robert C Bundle
Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation
A musician for over 40 years, Robert upholds a conscientious approach to speaking on First Nations matters through music. He is the CEO of Songlines Music Aboriginal Corporation, which advocates as a collective voice for greater recognition of contemporary Aboriginal Music.
Sue Ray
NATSIMO
Sue Ray is a Gamilaraay singer?songwriter, producer, and educator. She currently serves as Program Manager at the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office (NATSIMO), where she leads initiatives that strengthen industry pathways, cultural safety, and career development for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music creators.
Will Pawa-Oui
Pawa Haus Creative
The founder of Pawa Haus Creative, Will is a proud First Nations creative, LGBTQIA+ advocate, and cultural changemaker working at the intersection of music, media, and community. He presents Let’s Talk Black Arts on Triple A Murri Country & has previously supported First Nations artists through Support Act.
MEET THE FACILITATORS:
Alfred Walker
Yarpa
Alfred “Alfie” Walker is an artist, storyteller, community leader, cultural awareness facilitator and the Training & Development Coordinator at Yarpa. Along with leadership roles including Deputy Mayor of Goulburn Mulwaree Council, he has 20+ years of board experience and working with NGOs sharing cultural knowledge and promoting respectful engagement with Aboriginal communities.
Catherine Satour
Support Act
Catherine Satour is a Arrernte Pertame Mirning singer-songwriter from Mparntwe Alice Springs. She is also the First Nations Programs Manager for Support Act. Her involvement in the music scene spans over two decades as a passionate advocate for music, art & developing and implementing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and workers.
Daen Phillips
Terri Janke and Company
Daen is a proud Kamilaroi and Yorta Yorta man living on Bidjigal Country. He is a solicitor for Terri Janke and Company, a 100% Indigenous owned and run law firm that empowers clients to achieve success in business and innovation.
Leticia Forbes
Yirra Miya
Leticia is the founder and creative director of First Nations creative agency Yirra Miya. She is a proud Wiradjuri and Torres Strait Islander yinaa ‘woman’ and Wiradjuri artist, with family ties to Narrandera and community ties to Dubbo, and now lives on Darkinjung Country, Central Coast.
Letisha Ackland
Balya Productions
Founder of Balya Productions, 2025 Australian Women in Music Live Production Touring Award winner and 18-year live events veteran, Letisha is a proud Kokatha, Wirangu and Mirning woman who creates pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within Australia’s touring, community events and festival industry.
Monica Davidson
Creative Plus Business
Founder of Creative Plus Business and Australia’s first Creative Industries Business Advisor, Monica has spent over a decade building business skills and financial literacy for creative professionals across the country.