Overview

No ATAR
8 months accelerated
Full-time & Part-time

FEE-HELP Available

BRIS/MEL/SYD

FEB/JUN/SEPT

CRICOS 058467G

Songwriting at JMC

The Diploma of Music with major in Songwriting is your fast-track introduction to professional music creation. Across two trimesters, you’ll develop core skills in lyric writing, melody crafting, musicianship, and performance while shaping your sound in world-class studios and rehearsal spaces.

You’ll collaborate with students in Music Production and Audio to bring your original songs to life and benefit from JMC’s strong industry connections, including APRA AMCOS. This Diploma is your launchpad into the entertainment industry as a songwriter or artist.

Why Study Songwriting at JMC

Create impactful original songs: Transform your ideas into lyrics and melodies that connect with audiences and industry professionals.
Develop your artistic voice: Strengthen your songwriting, musicianship, creativity, and foundational production skills.
Build real industry experience: Record professional demos, perform your original work, and grow your network through JMC’s industry connections.
Course Overview

Notable Music Alumni

Little Green
Artist, 10 million Spotify listens
Earth Patravee
Singer/Songwriter, 50 million Spotify listens [Thailand]
Tim "Timomatic" Omaji
Multi-platinum selling + ARIA Award Nominee + APRA Award Winner
PANIA
Australian R&B Artist

Who is this for?

This Diploma is ideal for aspiring songwriters ready to take their first professional steps in creating original music. It’s perfect if you’re passionate about storytelling through lyrics and melody, eager to build confidence, and want to learn through practical, hands-on experience in a supportive creative environment.

Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your skills before committing to a full degree, the Diploma offers an immersive introduction to songwriting and a direct pathway into the Bachelor of Music with major in Songwriting.

Learn from industry Experts

Simon Gardner

Senior Music Lecturer

Simon Gardner is one Brisbane’s premier rock guitarists and pre-eminent guitar teachers. He is also full-time Theory Lecturer, Guitar Tutor and Ensemble Coordinator at JMC Academy Brisbane. As an artist, Simon has 5 albums and 3 singles . His most recent releases “You Know Why I Asked You Here” and “Reflections on a Winter Sky” are featured in Australian Musician online Magazine and Candyrat Records Youtube channel.

Simon also performs regularly across a range of styles as a freelance guitarist and is Musical Director for theatre rock shows, "Good Morning Vietnam - Music from the Vietnam War Era" and "Simon Gardner's Classic Rock Legends"

Shannon Brown

Senior Music Lecturer

Former tenor and Musical Director for the internationally acclaimed group The Ten Tenors, Shannon toured full-time for six years, performing an average of 250 shows per year across five continents.

Recorded a Platinum-selling album 'Here's To The Heroes' at Abbey Road Studios with the London Symphony Orchestra and launched the album performing at the Royal Albert Hall.

Shannon has recorded with Sting’s guitarist, Dominic Miller. American drummer, Vinnie Colaiuta. ‘Songwriters Hall of Fame’ lyricist, Don Black OBE, and Academy Award & Golden Globe winner, John Barry OBE.

Shannon has worked with Australia’s Guy Sebastian and Paulini Curuenavuli. John Foreman OAM, Chong Lim AM, James Morrison AM & Producer, Ken Laing AM. He has toured with Country star Jasmine Rae and been the Musical Director for the 2013 winner of The Voice, Harrison Craig.

Shannon continues to work with Australia’s Got Talent Winner, Mark Vincent, as his Musical Director for over 11 years.

Cameron Bower

Senior Music Lecturer

Cameron Bower is a composer, producer, songwriter and improvising musician from Brisbane. His principle projects include work with Big Dead (2010 -) and Milk Buttons (2015 -) and is the artistic director and principle composer for New Music/Jazz ensemble Cowbird (2016 -).

As a composer he works within a world of improvised and composed forms, electronic and rock music, synthesising his tendency towards jazz and improvised music with the formal structures of contemporary classical idioms and techniques. As a producer he works in electronic/ambient and alternative rock contexts.

Cam teaches composition, piano and guitar as part of the Browning Street Music and Dance Teachers cooperative and works as a Sessional Academic at QUT and JMC lecturing on topics from music theory and composition to history and aural studies.

Ruby's Story

From JMC graduate to Festival Performer - discover Ruby's journey to the stage.

What you learn

  • Core skills in melody, harmony and lyric writing
  • Musicianship foundations that strengthen your workflow
  • Techniques for shaping songs across multiple genres
  • Intro music technology for creating clear and simple demo recordings
  • Collaboration opportunities with performers, producers and other creatives
  • Fundamentals of arranging + developing musical ideas
  • Overview of popular music history and its most influential movements
  • Intro industry knowledge covering publishing, royalties and essential processes

What you gain

  • Practical experience writing and refining original songs for different contexts
  • Confidence using songwriting tools, creative techniques and demo-making workflows 
  • A developing artistic identity supported by early recordings and written material 
  • Valuable experience collaborating with performers, producers and creative teams 
  • Pathway into the Bachelor of Music with major in Songwriting for further study and growth

Songwriting Experience

Discover the performances, projects, and stories that define the JMC music journey.

Continue Your Journey

Into the Bachelor of Music with major in Songwriting

On completion, you’ll be ready to take your music to the next level. The Diploma of Music with major in Songwriting provides a direct and seamless pathway into the Bachelor of  Music with major in Songwriting with full credit for your completed trimesters, so you can continue developing your skills in lyric writing, melody creation, musicianship, and music production without starting over.

Life at JMC

Life at JMC is about more than classes - it’s about being part of a creative community. With state-of-the-art facilities, collaborative projects, and a vibrant campus culture, students are surrounded by like-minded people who share their passion for the arts. From industry events and performances to student showcases and social activities, JMC offers an environment where creativity thrives, connections are made, and ideas come to life.

Connect with us

Get in Touch

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Course Guide

Your roadmap to creative study, with insights into our campuses, courses, facilities, and career pathways.
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