Ethan mixes his own music industry career

“Music has been my life since I was 14, and I’ve always loved it. I knew that if I wasn’t going to perform on stage, I would be the one setting up the stages,” said Ethan.

Setting his sights on a career in live sound production, Ethan researched available courses, which brought him to the Sunshine State to study the Certificate III in Music (CUA30920).

“After visiting Brisbane when I was 12, I fell in love with Queensland and wanted to move here. The music courses TAFE Queensland offered me access to studios to learn mixing techniques using music recording software.”

Ethan further developed his live sound concert production skills by studying the Diploma of Music (Sound Production) (CUA50820), which gave him advanced live sound and studio production skills. 

On top of the industry-standard facilities, Ethan developed his studio recording and mixing techniques skills and live sound concert production at music festivals around the South East.  

“My class and I worked at the Blues Festival, Blues Broad Beach and Gympie Muster. From there, I got to freelance at our Promised Land and a few other little festivals. The experience was invaluable,” he said.

Each concert saw Ethan working as a backline stagehand, where he and his team ensure the stage is powered, the mics are set up, and the onstage instruments are connected to the public address system, providing the audience can hear the performers.

“Once we started doing it, it was easy, and now I’m comfortable doing everything from setting up to working the show to packing it down,” said Ethan.  

In a showcase of TAFE Queensland’s industry connection, Ethan and his class recently put their live sound production skills to work during an evening of work experience, producing a concert at Brisbane’s Princess Theatre.

Collaborating with IJS Productions Australia, who supplied backline for the live concert, the class produced an evening of entertainment using their training to ensure the show ran smoothly.

IJS supported TAFE Queensland with the Gympie Muster as the sole partner of the work experience program and supported the Princess Theatre event by donating the backline the students used. 

“IJS believes strongly in the TAFE process, and we remain committed to providing opportunities for young people to get a start within the industry,” said Steve Grimes, General Manager, IJS Productions.

“We created the internship program with TAFE Queensland teacher Heath Storrie to give students real-world experience in live production work.”

“We’ve employed six full-time TAFE Queensland graduates and have another three working here casually. They’re enthusiastic, knowledgeable and eager to learn more skills, and all have been working with us at major music festivals.”

“We strongly believe in the TAFE process, and we remain committed to providing opportunities for young people to get a start within the industry by providing pathways to employment,” said Steve.

Being one of IJS Productions' new full-time employees, Ethan credits TAFE Queensland’s close links to industry and his classes internship program.

“Thanks to all the course’s work experience opportunities, I was connected to amazing businesses within the industry, which led to me working full-time with IJS Productions, who took me and five others on full-time at the end of the course,” continued Ethan.

“I came here thinking I had a great knowledge of production, but when I started my course, I realised I had no idea. But from what I’ve learnt on the job, I’m now confident that I could mix a 50-piece orchestra, and I'm comfortable recording, mixing and polishing songs.”

“TAFE Queensland’s teachers are great mentors who constantly push you to do better, give you feedback and challenge you to be great – and their encouragement improved my skills.”

Now qualified, experienced and confident in his sound production skills, Ethan’s dream is to one day travel the world with an artist and do what he loves while visiting foreign places.

“I love the feeling of running a smooth show, where my skills are essential to everyone having a fantastic concert experience.”

“I recommend TAFE Queensland 100 times over, especially with their amazing teachers. 2023 was the best year of my life, and now I’m doing what I love; it will only get better from here,” concluded Ethan.