Day 1: Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Orientation will be held on campus: 561 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007

Attendance at orientation is expected, please advise your Onboarding Advisor if you are unable to attend.

Day 1: Morning

Registration
Free coffee!
Student Lounge
Welcome Session
Auditorium
Support Services & Academic Skills Workshop
Auditorium
Scavenger Hunt
Campus wide

Lunch

Lunch
GF, vegan & dairy free options available.
Student Lounge

Day 1: Afternoon

Course Information Session 1
Course specific

Games Night

Games Night: Mario Kart!
Student Lounge

Day 2: Thursday, 17 September 2026

Please note: There are some optional activities to take part in during the morning on Day 2. All students will be expected back on campus by 11 AM for compulsory sessions.

Day 2 - Morning (Optional Sessions)

Portal Login Tutorial & Support Session
Need a hand with getting your student portals set up? This is the session for you.
Animation Lab 1
Study Skills for the Creative, Distracted, & Overthinking
Student Lounge

Day 2 - Morning (Compulsory Sessions)

Welcome Back & Community Engagement
Auditorium
Self-Enrolment Tutorial
Auditorium

Lunch

Lunch
TBD. GF, vegan & dairy free options available.
Student Lounge

Day 2 - Afternoon

Course Information Session 2
Course specific

O-Week Party!

O-Week Party
Student Lounge

Meet the Team

Glenn Ferguson

Head of Audio Engineering & Sound Production (Sydney)

Glenn commenced lecturing at JMC Academy in 1996 and has held the position of Department Head since 2006. This experience, coupled with 20 years of industry experience and academic accomplishment has made Glenn a master specialist in his field. Having worked in a variety of recording situations, from world class SSL equipped studios, to temporary setups in farmhouses, schools and garages, Glenn has built a broad repertoire of skills.

Glenn has recorded a variety of acts from rock bands to jazz artists; Welsh choirs to brass bands. He also has extensive location recording experience including gigs at the Sydney Entertainment Centre, Sydney Town Hall, Newcastle Town Hall, Enmore Theatre and Cessnock Town Hall to name a few. Personally inspired by Rick Rubin, Glenn encourages his students to develop their own unique ‘sound’ to ensure they establish a competitive, sustainable career in the industry.

Kemo Bunguric

Head of Music (Sydney)

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.

Simon von Wolkenstein

Head of Animation + Game Design [Sydney]

Simon von Wolkenstein is an interdisciplinary designer known for his expertise in experimental storytelling and post-digital hybrid animation. At his studios, he mentors students to uncover their unique creative styles through a fusion of digital and analogue methods to craft innovative cinematic works that challenge societal and cultural conventions.

With a wealth of industry knowledge spanning print, typography, image and model design, digital technologies, and film and television production, Simon excels in cinematography, lighting, editing, directing, and writing. His diverse portfolio includes motion graphics, 2D and 3D animation, and hybrid animation projects.

His teaching interests cover a wide range of subjects, including 2D Hybrid Animation, Animation, Visual Effects, Experimental Narrative, Film and Animation History, Tangible Interfaces and Representation, Lighting, and Cinematography.

Woody Naismith

Head of Film & Television (Sydney)

For almost two decades Woody’s acting roles in film, theatre, and television have not only nurtured his dramatic instinct, they’ve allowed him to explore the dramatic arts extensively. He’s worked on productions in Australia, Tahiti, Japan, the UK, and America before a five-year stint in which he called Hollywood home. Here his acting branched into teaching and film production. 

As a trainer, Woody desires to encourage others to understand their empathetic self by attaining the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. Woody aims to inspire his students to evolve their artistic voice, their creativity and to develop a strong point of view by teaching them a true understanding of themselves and how they relate to their craft. 

Having written, produced, and directed fashion videos, art films, short films, behind-the-scenes, and commercials, Woody has become an experienced camera operator, editor, and colorist. Woody has a keen eye for capturing moments and conveying visually appealing and interesting stories. His work both in front of and behind the camera gives him a great sensibility and understanding of film production. 

Ben Steer

Senior Entertainment Business Lecturer (Sydney)

Ben has been in the Entertainment & Music industries for yes, a very long time. Both as an experienced practitioner in touring, labels, music publishing, artist management, concert and venue promoter, marketing and A & R and also a lecturer at many institutions but most notably JMC Academy, where he has been teaching for the past 15 years.

He started out at CBS Records (later known as Sony Music) then onto various senior management positions with EMI Records, Warner Music then into working for many years with INXS management. Which he states is "probably the highlight of my music career, having the opportunity to work on all aspects of that extraordinary bands recorded material and world tours".

His own management interests included looking after the careers of DIG (Hip Hop & Jazz) Margaret Urlich (contemporary pop) Melinda Schneider (country) and Jane Rutter (classical). He has set up music publishing companies, tour managed many international acts and was lucky enough to work on three Big Day Outs in New Zealand.

He joined JMC Academy way back and became the Head of Department for the Music Business Department (later Entertainment Business management). He honed his skills in teaching by attending UTS and doing a number of post graduate studies in Higher Education, teaching and learning.

He currently runs a booking agency in Newcastle, a live streaming fortnightly music TV show as well as conduct music business workshops in Newcastle.

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