Nkechi Anele is a dynamic artist and industry leader. As the former frontwoman of the acclaimed band Saskwatch, she has toured internationally and performed at major festivals. Her passion for music extends beyond performance, as she has hosted the popular radio show Roots N’ All on Triple J and co-founded The Pin, a platform for cultural discourse. Nkechi is a dedicated advocate for Australian artists and currently serves on the Board of Directors for Music Victoria.

I want to continue to work for and champion diverse voices and ensure a sustainable future for our industry through education and best practice approaches. I aim to continue to advocate for artists of all ages and stages, prioritising mental health support and safer working conditions.

By focusing on best practices across venues, festivals, bookers, bands and hospitality, I firmly believe we can strengthen our music scene and by supporting artists to understand their strengths within and beyond music to have sustainable and creative livelihoods.

I'm passionate about advocating for artists and have deep experience in the music industry. My time as a musician has given me valuable insights, while my professional career has honed my strategic skills. I'm committed to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all artists, especially those who feel marginalised or underrepresented.

By leveraging my expertise and dedication, I aim to contribute to the growth and sustainability of our music scene.

I am a solo artist, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer. I have built a diverse and established career since 1983. Over the years, I have performed and recorded music across Australia, the USA, Europe, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. I’ve collaborated with notable Australian acts like Wet Taxis, Louis Tillett, Sacred Cowboys, Deniz Tek, and Epic Brass, and also with overseas artists. I have released multiple solo albums with record labels from Australia, USA, Europe and Japan. My work was the subject of the documentary "Electra: The Music of Penny Ikinger", in which I was interviewed by Chrissy Amphlett, further highlighting my contributions to the Australian and international music scene.

I have served as a Director on the MV Board since 2021 and bring four decades of experience as a musician, composer, producer, and performer, both in Australia and internationally. I am committed to supporting Music Victoria’s mission of empowering musicians in an evolving industry. Passionate about giving musicians a central role, I aim to ensure their contributions are recognized and rewarded. My deep love for Australian rock’n’roll, coupled with an appreciation for diverse musical genres across eras and cultures, shapes my unique perspective on respecting and preserving our musical heritage while embracing future innovation for Victorian musicians.

I have built a diverse career as a self-managed solo artist, singer, songwriter, guitarist, and producer, performing and recording across Australia, the USA, Europe, Japan, Canada, and New Zealand. With a strong understanding of the music industry, both locally and internationally, I’ve served as a Director on the Music Victoria Board since 2021. I’m committed to advocating for musicians' fair remuneration and their vital role in driving the industry forward. There would be no music industry without the musicians. I look forward to continuing my work supporting Victoria’s music community.

I have loved music from a very young age, and have grown up either playing musical instruments, singing in choirs or driving around blasting my favourite songs. I believe that music offers an insight to the soul of people and love attending as many live music events as possible. With a background in government and the not for profit sector I understand how important diversity of voice and experience is, and am eager to contribute my skills and capabilities to music Victoria. I bring a passion for music, and am a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

I am passionate about the music industry and eager to contribute where I can. I hope to achieve positive outcomes for all musicians and the industry to help support and grow Victoria’s and Australia’s music industry.

With a background in policy, governance and research I have experience in participating in government and non government committees, groups and organisations. I pride myself on bringing a collaborative and engaged approach, prioritising diversity of voices to achieve outcomes.

Anthony has recorded and performed extensively with International and local Australian artists for over 45 years, establishing himself as a significant contributor to the Australian Music Industry.

A Victorian College of the Arts Graduate (Performance 1983) and composer, Anthony has shaped a career with insight and a vast experience. He is a much sought after musician with many artists, including 12 years recording and touring with the Black Sorrows (1989 - 2001).

As an engineer, Anthony's strength lies in his ability to draw out the absolute best from artists, sharing an empathy and rapport as a performing musician and composer. It is a collaboration that clarifies an artistic vision and magnifies the essence of a performance.

Awards received by projects upon which ToK has worked include: 6 ARIAs, 3 AFIs, 1 Platinum and 2 Gold Records.

Anthony has also lectured in Audio Engineering at Melbourne's RMIT University for two decades, providing him with a unique insight into the current challenges faced by emerging artists and engineers alike.

www.tokwerx.com

His latest project is the Hip-Hop/Jazz Sextet, the Beatnik Preachers. Blending social commentary with danceable grooves and classic jazz instrumentation.

www.beatnikpreachers.au

With a career in our local and international music industries spanning over 45 years I feel intrinsically linked to our live music scene; especially for original music.
I have run studios, venues and toured extensively in AU and abroad and performed, recorded, produced, engineered and mastered for a wide range of AU, AU Indigenous and other artists.
The issues facing our live music scene are forefront in my day to day practise and I'd dearly like to contribute to resolving these, along with developing further opportunities and expansion initiatives for musicians, venues and recording studios.

Through my extensive career I have also developed exceptional communication skills with a broad and diverse demographic of people in all related industries to our music communities.
My equally strong organisational skills also provide me with the ability to ensure completion of projects and maximising opportunities that emerge.
Targeting of the live music scene and related challenges is core to my nomination; an area I know extremely well through my own career but also through the careers of my music clients, network and graduates.
With two previous personal managers who ran venues I have a specific insight into the realities of running a music venue; a core element of my focus for this board position.

I’m a psychologist, teacher and researcher at the University of Melbourne. My research (https://tinyurl.com/43tc2zud) explores wellbeing benefits of music engagement, from live shows through to streaming. My work has improved our understanding of intense music experiences, social benefits of choirs, and overcoming stress with relaxing music. Currently, I’m interested in how being in audience at live music events can empower and support wellbeing in young people. My leadership experience over 30 years in Education includes roles as Research Director of the Centre for Wellbeing Science, President of the Australian Music Psychology Society, and Founding Director of a digital app company.

Music has been a lifelong passion, both personally and professionally. From annual treks to Port Fairy Folk Festival in the 80s and enjoying local talent at the Gaso or Nightcat, through to my research in music psychology, living with music has been a cornerstone of my social and emotional wellbeing.

With three decades of music research and leadership experience, and a personal belief that everyone can benefit more from music, I would be a conscientious and capable contributor and mentor at Music Victoria. I would be particularly passionate about leading initiatives which enable and promote greater diversity in the music industry. For example, my education background could facilitate more inclusive training to create safe and equitable opportunities for women, nonbinary individuals and neurodiverse individuals to thrive. I would also enjoy publicising the proven benefits of music for health and social connection to foster new audiences at live and digital music events.

I'm Rachel Simmons, a self-managed ARIA-charting musician and songwriter (Fallow Fields) with nearly 30-years’ experience in the music industry. I've worked with Premier Artists, Frontier Touring, Andrew McManus Presents, The Push (and more!), and lectured in university Music Industry courses. An experienced board member, I currently serve on the Collarts Board, combining my passion for creative industries and education. I've held a range of senior executive roles and have experience working closely with government (State and Federal). I believe in the power of music and storytelling, and advocate that a strong and empowered creative community is critical to Victoria’s success.

As a passionate self-managed musician with solid governance expertise, I'm eager to use my skill set to support our music scene's growth. I’ll work with Music Victoria to help our contemporary music community thrive, ensuring that all Victorian's can benefit from the cultural and economic benefits of a strong scene.

With a unique blend of artistic, creative industries and business expertise, I'll bring a broad range of skills to the Music Victoria Board. My experience as a self-managed ARIA-charting musician (Fallow Fields) and music industry professional equips me to understand and advocate for artist and sector needs. As an AICD member, experienced board member and senior executive, I bring financial acumen, governance, strategic planning, and leadership skills. This diverse experience equips me to effectively champion Victorian music and support our community's growth and sustainability.

I’m a Senior Research Fellow at RMIT, pursuing a four-year project on crisis in the Australian music industries. I have published widely on the contemporary music sector, including work with the City of Melbourne, Live Music Office, SA Music Development Office, and City of Adelaide. My book, Small Venues, was published in 2023.

I have served on the Arts Industry Council of South Australia, on SA’s Artists at Work taskforce, as a local councilor for the City of West Torrens, and am an active member of Musicians Australia.

I am a 2024 Churchill Fellowship recipient, and will travel to Europe to research alternative models for grassroots music venues, which will inform Australian music policymaking.

The Victorian music industry has been my professional area of research for over 10 years, and I would like to use that expertise to give back to the community that I love, to improve the livelihoods of musicians and the sustainability of the grassroots music sector and venues.

I have considerable skills in research and advocacy, and have experience advising policymakers and scrutinising public policy, both as a local government representative and as an academic.

I bring a well informed and external perspective to the role, and am driven by service to the music community, not because I represent a particular part of the sector.

I have over ten years of experience in terms of music industry research, advocacy and guidance on policy, as well as governance and financial experience as an elected representative on city councils, peak bodies and civil society groups, and am good at building coalitions and consensus-making.

Professionally, I'm an executive digital technologist (RMIT) holding advanced mathematics degrees and Fellowship of the Australian Computer Society. I'm highly literate in all facets of directorship and fiduciary duty as graduate of Australian Institute of Company Directors and former member of Oxfam Australia, Advisory Board. With a family background in opera and dance, I came to appreciate music relatively late since overcoming profound deafness until eight years old. It is a passion that continues to grow - as fundamental as air to my life. I'm endlessly curious and love to solve problems as part of an impactful team.

I’m devoted to the role music plays in shaping culture and community. Music inspires, connects and transforms, and I’m eager to contribute to the growth and success of Victoria’s music scene. Music Victoria is an opportunity to strengthen local music industry, support emerging artists and ensure diverse voices are heard.

As an advocate for members of the music industry, I bring a unique blend of extensive management and commercial experience and deep appreciation for live and recorded music. My commitment to the thriving of this industry is unwavering, particularly in ensuring better stewardship for artists and creatives. With a proven track record in board roles, I'm eager to leverage my skills to drive meaningful change and support our local scene. I believe my dedication and career expertise make me an ideal candidate to contribute fresh perspectives and positive outsider's voice, as this new era of Music Victoria progresses.