JMC NATIONAL COMPETITION

Katya is an international student alumni who grew up in Russia and moved to Sydney to explore the world of film. During her time in JMC she was a part of more than 20 productions. Her main passion lies in the Camera Department and she recently finished working on her first feature film production as both a camera assistant and key grip. Katya is using her time employed by JMC to become a better filmmaker and expand her knowledge, interests, and skillsets while simultaneously guiding students closer to their goals.

Matt has over 18 years Broadcast experience as a TV studio camera operator, working on some of the UK's most iconic game shows.(Deal or No Deal, Family Fortunes). Since 2008 he has taught Film and Television Production within the further and higher education sectors across the UK.  Matt has been documentary module leader, personal tutor and final year major project supervisor helping guide students into careers in the Film and television Industry.

Kemo’s teaching methods and influence reflect his own passion and extensive skills in composition, arranging and music technology, especially since he is a piano accordion virtuoso and an Australasian Accordion Champion.

By the age of 13, Kemo had learned early on how important it was to market one’s self as a musician, a concept which he aims to instil in his students. Kemo ensures that his students understand how to develop themselves as well-rounded musicians and teaches them the importance of being progressive within the industry.

James graduated with a Bachelor of Music (performance) from the Queensland Conservatorium in 2001 and immediately began work as a touring musician successfully traversing the jazz and popular music worlds. With modern piano trio Misinterprotato, James toured around Australia, the U.S., Canada and Japan and contributed to the group's first two releases through the Melbourne based Jazzhead label.

As singer and songwriter in Brisbane-Melbourne based indie-pop group The Boat People, James has released three albums, toured the U.S. 8 times (including two trips to SXSW), the U.K. twice and supported many outstanding Australian and International acts including Powderfinger, Crowded House and The Shins. The Boat People have had 8 songs playlisted on national radio station Triple J and in 2007 James signed a publishing deal with Ivy League/Mushroom which has seen his songs used extensively in television and film.

In 2012, James co-wrote and sung the breakout single "Half of It" for producer duo YesYou which received high rotation radio play on Triple J. James currently works as touring bass player with avant-folk group Machine Translations and songstress Kate Miller-Heidke. With his new group Darling James, he produced and music directed the "8 First Dates" event at the 2014 Melbourne Fringe which featured guests Ainslie Wills, Angie Hart (Frente), Jae Laffer (The Panics) and many others. Darling James are about to release their debut single and recently opened for legendary Australian group, The Church.

Gritty. Grounded. Heartfelt. A stand-out performer. From energetic tracks such as the single ‘Countrified’ to emotive ballads like ‘Simple Then’ (with Brooke Schubert), it’s no surprise that Will is making an impact on the country music scene.  2021 has been a wild ride, with single ‘Countrified’ added to iHeartCountry and KIX Country with the song reaching #12 on the KIX Country Charts and ‘Simple Then’ added to ABC Country, reaching #9 on the KIX Country Charts and #5 on the Countrytown Hot 50 Charts. Both tracks are included on Will’s debut album ‘Countrified’ and will be accompanied by a national tour reaching every state over the next 12 months.

Will has opened for the likes of Morgan Evans, Shannon Noll, Diesel, Hoodoo Gurus, The Baby Animals, The Black Sorrows, Col Finley and The Viper Creek Band while also appearing at  Australia’s most iconic country music festivals, including Tamworth Country Music Festival, Groundwater Country Music Festival and Gympie Muster.

With a genuine gift of storytelling, combined with compelling vocals and the ability to connect with a crowd, Will Day is fast becoming one of Australia’s premier rising country artists and one that will undoubtedly be around for many years to come.

Graduating a double degree with distinctions and winning the UNSW 2015 award for best performance in Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Education, Bree has been teaching in Music and Wellbeing for the past 9 years.

Having grown up working in a music studio, Bree continues to do session singing and teaches a wide range of vocal students.

Bree recently graduated a Masters degree with excellence/high distinction, and a Counselling degree to further her education in student support, diversity and mental health. She has a passion for using this to help students in the creative fields to succeed both professionally and in their personal lives. 

Jane is an Actor, Director, Theatre Producer and Teacher. She is co-founder and Artistic Director of award-winning theatre company Secret House. Originally from Wales, Jane trained in London before moving to Sydney in 2011, where she has worked on numerous productions across a wide range of venues. Award nominations include Sydney Theatre Award for Best Performance in a Supporting Role, Best Ensemble and the winner of Best Independent Production (Albion) and Broadway World Award for Best Supporting Performer (Hedda Gabler).

Having recently moved from New Zealand, Ben has immersed himself in the performing arts industry in Melbourne. In New Zealand, Ben has performed in several musicals, concerts, cabarets & music festivals across the country. His performance credits include singing, acting & dancing in major stage productions such as Carmen, Cats, Fiddler on the Roof, Hair, Curtains, Coca-Cola CCITP & Nelson Opera in the Park.

Ben has also performed alongside many New Zealand artists, with production companies such as Showbiz, Canterbury Opera & Chant et Danse, and was involved extensively in the New Zealand Jazz & Arts festivals for many years. During his time in Melbourne, Ben has been building a career in singing & teaching whilst standing by the words of Stephen Sondheim “..if I cannot fly, let me sing.”

Josh is Senior Lecturer in the Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) at JMC Academy. His expertise in design thinking, ux, and graphic design spans across agencies in Asia and Australia working with clients including Google, YouTube, Telstra, Toyota, Dulux, Maybeline, Flybuys and more. Josh's contributions to this industry have been recognised by significant politicians and CEOs through direct interactions, corporate events and installations. Expanding on his practice of design, Josh is currently pursuing further study and professional development in the education space through learning design and teaching in higher education & vocational.

Nitzan leads JMC Academy’s design program with a global perspective shaped by years of experience in human-centred design, innovation, and entrepreneurship. She has taught at Stanford University’s d school and Tel Aviv University’s Coller School of Management, where she co- founded a successful startup pre-accelerator.