Team

Joe Muller joined MusicNSW in November 2023 with over 15 years experience as a festival curator, creative producer, venue programmer, artist manager, independent label owner and artist. From 2021, he was the Music Curator for Vivid Sydney and has also curated music programs for Queensland Music Festival, Taste of Tasmania, Newtown Festival and Melbourne’s CHANGES festival and iconic Sydney venues The Basement and The Lansdowne. Joe has also worked as a live and studio musician for over 20 years. Joe is based on Gadigal country.

Laura became Operations Manager in November 2023. She has worked with MusicNSW as Executive Producer since 2017, working with the team to deliver services and programs across NSW. Leading strategic program development for the organisation, Laura has delivered outstanding results and continues to grow MusicNSW’s reach and impact. Laura is based on Gadigal country.

Ricky is most widely known as the former artist manager of Western Sydney’s ONEFOUR and has also worked with Sampa the Great and The Kid Laroi. He is widely connected and respected across the industry for his track record of contributing to the successful careers of emerging artists underpinned by strategic brand building. Recently, Ricky has also begun working as brand strategist and Creative Director for social enterprise and restaurant group Plate it Forward. Ricky leads MusicNSW programs and oversees our Newcastle, Wollongong and Western Sydney Coordinators. Ricky is based on Gadigal country.

Since June 2023, Helen has led engagement with MusicNSW stakeholders and communities to support our programs and a thriving NSW music industry. Helen is a musician and dedicated communications specialist with a wealth of industry experience. She is driven by a desire to foster rewarding careers for musicians, cultivate thriving and inclusive music communities, and drive recognition of the value of contemporary music. Helen is based on Gadigal country.

Kaleena has been in the music industry for over 22 years as a vocalist/songwriter/performer with Stiff Gins. She is Wiradjuri/Yorta Yorta, hails from Naarm, on Wurundjeri Country, and has lived most of her life on Gadigal land. As First Nations Development Coordinator, Kaleena provides direct support to NSW-based First Nations creatives, and connects them to opportunities and resources that will help sustain their music endeavours.

Ali has been working with MusicNSW in regional NSW since 2021 and is focused on the Orana, Upper Hunter and Mid North Coast regions. She has also managed her own regional arts consultancy for 20 years, developing and producing projects in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. She has held roles at Woodford Folk Festival and the Dreaming Festival, the Queensland Folk Federation and founded the Sustainable Living Festival and Gumbaynggirr Music Futures program. Ali is based on Gumbaynggirr country.

Sofia brings a Bachelor of Business (Marketing) and experience from working at the independent record label Elefant Traks to her role at MusicNSW, where she collaborates across the organisation to provide musicians and industry professionals with essential information on funding, advocacy, professional development, and more. She has studied at Berklee College of Music and Western Sydney University and completed internships at The Annex and Messiah Studios. Passionate about social media, playlist curation, marketing, podcasting, and content creation, Sofia also runs two small businesses supporting both independent and Christian artists. Sofia is based on Gadigal country.

Kelly has over seven years’ experience in the music industry as a member of Camp Cope and as Artist & Community Liaison for the Indigenous-owned and operated record label Bad Apples Music. During extensive Australian and international touring, Kelly discovered her purpose as a strong advocate for inclusivity and representation in music, including campaigns focused on ensuring safe and inclusive spaces at shows. Kelly is passionate about creating opportunities and platforms that celebrate the diversity and talent of her community. Born, raised, and living in Darug Country, she is of Mineng Noongar descent.

Maeve is a music industry professional with a passion for supporting and promoting independent artists. As the owner and founder of Gumnut Artists, she has established herself as a driving force within her music community and built her business into a reputable agency known for its commitment to artist development, nurture and success. Maeve holds a Bachelor of Creative Industries with a major in Media and Communications from the University of Newcastle and has completed AIR’s Women in Music Mentor program, where she was mentored by AAM Executive Director Maggie Collins. She’s also a working musician and plays regularly in Newcastle under her artist name Eliza Eve. Maeve is based on Awabakal country.

Cody is a performer, curator, recording engineer and business owner who has a passion for community connection through vibrant performances and musical events. Over 15 years in the music industry, he has worked on a wide range of creative and community-led initiatives, individual artistic projects and tours, and artist collectives and cultural events that generate cohesion across age groups, cultural backgrounds and wide expanses of the rural Australian landscape. Cody is the current Festival Director of the Illawarra Folk Festival, co-curator for Culture Mix Festival and co-owner of Stranded Recording Studios. Cody is based on Dharawal 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, Kayne has a passion for live performance and wants to see the music community of the Riverina thrive. He is based on Wiradjuri country.

Focusing across the Far South and Southern Tablelands regions, Sam is a lifelong musician who grew up in Coolagolite and has been active in the local music scene for years. In this time, he has provided leadership and mentorship for local musicians and built relationships with venue owners and industry professionals. Through his studies in Entertainment Business Management and multiple national tours as a musician, he found passion and purpose through the entertainment industry. Sam is based on Yuin-Djiringanj country.

Focusing across the Central West, Outback and West Darling regions. Sophie is a musician, mentor and music teacher who grew up in Tamworth before moving to Bathurst to complete her B.A Communications (Theatre/Media). She has been involved in the Bathurst community and surrounds through touring and performing with her band Smith & Jones, running community choirs and workshops, and managing events and bookings for The End Festival in Hill End and the Local Emerging Artists Program (as part of the Inland Sea of Sound Festival). She is based on Wiradjuri country.

Niño is a seasoned musician, artist, actor and multi-faceted arts worker with a wealth of music industry experience. Niño returns to the MusicNSW team to support contemporary music in the Northern Rivers & North West regions, having first served as a Regional Music Officer from 2021-22. He has also held roles at Mullum Music Festival, Bello Winter Music Festival, Bluesfest Byron Bay, and Falls Music and Arts Festival, and as presenter & promoter for Red Square Music events across the Northern Rivers. Niño’s roles in the famed Dustyesky choir and band Invisible Friend have seen him play countless festivals and tour internationally. Niño is based on Bundjalung country.

Julian is a musician, producer and senior academic. He has worked in the Australian and UK independent music scenes since the early 90s. One of his bands, Even As We Speak, achieved chart success in the UK and were among a handful of Australian bands to record sessions for John Peel on BBC Radio 1. As a producer/engineer, Julian has worked with a broad range of artists, including ARIA Hall of Fame inductees Ed Kuepper and Chris Bailey. Julian has wide governance experience in the not-for-profit arts sector, including as Chair of QMusic and member of the Music Board of the Australia Council for the Arts. In his academic career, Julian has held a range of leadership roles including as Head of School and Associate Dean across four universities. He is currently a professor of music and Executive Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Design at the University of Canberra.

Jane is Deputy Chairperson for the MusicNSW board, Director of VibeLab Asia Pacific and Director of EMC. She’s a proactive changemaker committed to the transformation of music and nightlife. Through persistent advocacy, Jane has contributed to outcomes including the repeal of the lockout laws and record government investment into the NSW contemporary music sector. Jane is also an Artist Manager, working with Sampology and his Middle Name Records imprint.

MusicNSW Treasurer Kristy Wilson works as the Tax Manager at film and TV specialist firm Above The Line Accounting and is a Bookkeeper for music technology start up Jaxsta. Kristy began her career in finance as the Business Manager for boutique investment company Romulus Management has undertaken specialist tax training at H&R Block. Kristy also brings a wealth of music industry experience including as National Event Administrator for the Big Day Out (2005 – 2011), freelance music publicist, and project manager at MusicNSW.

Vic McEwan is an interdisciplinary artist exploring sound, video and installation. He is a producer and director who is interested in landscape, communities, remote spaces and cross art form collaboration. Vic is the Inaugural Arts NSW Regional Arts Fellow. This involves Vic working as the 2015 Artist in Residence at the National Museum of Australia, exploring human engagement with the landscape.

Vic is also undertaking a major arts/health project in the UK with Manchester University and Alder Hey Children’s Hospital working towards the use of contemporary arts in trauma reduction. Vic has devised, developed and presented a diverse program of past work involving major partnerships with multiple outcomes ranging from flood trauma recovery to interactive gallery installations.

Michael is currently the Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House. With a strong background in First Nations culture and arts, Michael has held key roles at Creative Australia as the First Nations Program Manager, First Nations members representative at APRA AMCOS and developed MusicNSW’s Whichway Program. He has produced the First Nations Arts and Culture Awards for Creative Australia, curated First Nations roundtables, and led industry-first mentoring and residency programs for artists, produced First Nations events such as Yabun, and mentored and managed First Nations musicians.

Beau is Creative Director & Executive Producer of Sydney’s multi-award-winning Phoenix Central Park, a unique philanthropically funded performance space in Chippendale. She has recently taken over beloved Newtown music venue The Vanguard. Neilson channels her experience as a significant philanthropist, board member and arts professional to running venues, growing audiences and supporting artists. Beau is also currently a trustee of the Powerhouse Museum, President of business group The Chippendale Collective, and a Gifting Committee Member for The Neilson Foundation, one of Australia’s biggest contributors to arts and social cohesion focused charities.

Mardi carries a weight of global and domestic experience, operating as a leader in the Australian music industry for nearly 30 years. Across her career, Mardi has held multiple senior executive positions within Warner, EMI and Sony in Australia and the UK. In the early ‘00s she took a diversion into broadcasting, assuming the role of VP of Talent and Music at MTV UK. Mardi established The Annex in 2018 and, since then, the company has worked on campaigns for artists including Lime Cordiale, Bluey, Genesis Owusu, Matt Corby, Porter Robinson, Maanyung,Tash Sultana, Alice Ivy, Royal Otis and Hiatus Kaiyote.

A Widjabul Wiyabal woman from the Bundjalung territories, Rhoda is the Creative Director for Parrtjima Festival (NT), Boomerang Dreaming (NSW) and Shine on Gimuy (QLD) and the First Nations Advisor for Vivid Sydney. An experienced motivated and versatile arts executive, with a diverse range of international and national industry practice within commercial, community and non-profit organisations. She is currently the Elder in Residence for SBS, Creative Director, First Nations at NORPA, and is a consultant with NIDA. She has also held roles including Head of First Nations Programming at the Sydney Opera House, Founder and Festival Director of the Dreaming Festival (1995-2009) and Co-Founder of the Aboriginal National Theatre Trust.