When Jenna Pratt walked through the doors of JMC Academy to begin her Bachelor of Music, she was ready to take a leap. Having tried her hand at photography and journalism, she realised that music was the only pursuit that truly lit her up.
“I was working full-time in retail, which I hated,” she recalls. “The only thing that ever truly excited me was music: creating it, playing it, and listening to it. One morning, I decided to stop putting it off and commit fully. Within a week, I had enrolled in a Bachelor of Music at JMC Academy”.
That decision sparked a creative journey that has since seen Jenna compose for film, television, and video games, work alongside some of the country’s leading screen composers, and build a portfolio of placements across more than 50 shows worldwide.
It’s always so incredible to hear a graduate’s story years after they’ve walked out of JMC’s classrooms and into the real world. Jenna’s journey is one of those inspiring examples of how creative education can be the springboard not just for a first job, but for a thriving and sustained career in the Creative Industries. With over a decade of creative milestones in the bag, we caught up with Jenna to hear about her experiences and insights before, during and beyond her time at JMC.
Creativity Meets Discipline
For Jenna, JMC Academy was a place to not only learn musical theory but to also build discipline and focus.
“JMC showed me that creativity thrives when paired with discipline,” she explains. “The structured learning gave me confidence in my abilities, while performing, composing and collaborating helped me find my own voice. I learned that creativity isn’t just inspiration—it’s also commitment and persistence”.
Classes like Screen Music sparked a passion for film scoring, while subjects such as Music Business equipped her with the practical know-how to navigate the industry. Support from lecturers including Tony Cvetkovski, Kemo Bunguric, Greg Wise, Shannon Brown and Phil Scorgie made the difference. “Their dedication made my time at JMC especially meaningful, and I still draw on those lessons today,” she reflects.
Finding Her Voice in Industry
Transitioning from classroom to career is never without its challenges, but Jenna quickly found projects that cemented her place in the industry.
Her first commission came in 2019, when she was asked to score Magnetic, a short film by Nicole Delprado, as part of the Create NSW Screenability program. Premiering at the Sydney Film Festival, the project gave her a sense of belonging and sharpened her scoring skills. Soon after, she landed her first TV placement with Primerchord Music through Amara Primero’s International Women’s Day initiative.
“[Amara’s] belief in me was a huge confidence boost, and I’ve been writing with Primerchord ever since. That trust and ongoing support have been instrumental in building my career”.
Building Momentum
Since graduating from JMC in 2018, Jenna has built an impressive portfolio spanning short films, production music, advertising, TV, video games, and even podcasts. She credits her curiosity and persistence as key drivers of this growth.
“I built my portfolio through curiosity, persistence, and openness to opportunity,” she says. “Early on, I focused on learning as much as possible, experimenting across projects, and saying yes to things that pushed me outside my comfort zone”.
Mentorship has also played a pivotal role. Guidance from celebrated composer Caitlin Yeo helped her refine her creative process, while her ongoing collaboration with Amara Primero has provided both opportunity and inspiration. Jenna explains “Being mentored by Caitlin Yeo has been invaluable. Her guidance deepened my understanding of the creative process and the realities of the industry, especially for long-form projects. She helped me pitch myself with confidence and elevate my career”.
“Working alongside Amara Primero has taught me flexibility and adaptability while maintaining creative freedom. Her trust in my skills—and the endless opportunities she’s provided—have been pivotal. Beyond that, her generosity toward other composers is a constant source of inspiration and joy”.
Lessons in Resilience
Like many creatives, Jenna’s path has not been without setbacks. The pandemic, industry strikes, and the rise of AI all presented obstacles. But she credits resilience, adaptability, and time management as the skills that helped her thrive.
“Surprisingly, the most valuable skills weren’t just musical—they were time management, adaptability, and networking” Jenna notes. “Being proactive and resilient often matters more than raw talent. Navigating tight deadlines or unexpected project changes taught me to stay resourceful and keep momentum, turning challenges into opportunities for growth”.
Now working on her first feature film, multiple short projects, and video game compositions, Jenna is looking ahead to international collaborations, new projects and further learning for the end of this year and beyond. She says “I’m branching into longer-form content and starting a part-time Master’s in Music next year—a dream I’ve been aiming for since 2018”.
A Sustained Creative Career
Jenna’s story is proof that a creative education at JMC isn’t just about launching a career in the Creative Industries, but also sustaining it for the long term. From her first classes in Screen Music to placements across international film and television, Jenna has shown what’s possible when creativity, persistence, professional skills and expert mentorship intersect.
Her journey offers current and future JMC students a powerful reminder that the foundations built in the classroom can carry you not just into your first opportunity, but across an entire creative lifetime.
Advice for Future Creatives
To current students considering their own leap into the Creative Industries, Jenna offers simple but powerful advice:
“Take risks and see failure as a stepping stone, not a setback. Build genuine relationships, stay curious, and keep experimenting. Your education gives you the tools, but persistence, creativity, and putting yourself out there will turn it into a sustainable career”.
For Jenna, JMC Academy wasn’t just where she studied music: it was where she learned how to channel passion into practice, and how to step into the industry with both creativity and confidence.
