Broome music manager gains mentors

Kimberley Training Institute music lecturer Bel Skinner is headed over to Katoomba, in New South Wales, for this year’s JB Seed Music Management Workshop.

Selected from more than 200 applicants across the country, Skinner is expected to be one of 25 music managers to attend.

The workshop, which provides opportunities for bands and solo artists, is a one-stop shop for practical strategies to manage artists in the establishment phase of their career.

Now in its sixth year, organisers have hosted some of Australia’s leading emergent managers.

Skinner has mentored and managed Kimberley bands for more than a decade.

“I’m really looking forward to building my networks, and also gaining that valuable hands-on knowledge from some of the leaders in the Australian music business scene,” she said.

“So much of what we do in the music industry is just learning as you go.

“It’s going to be great getting tips from the best.”

Skinner said she hoped to share the skills and knowledge she would gain, through her workshop participation, with other budding music managers.

She also hoped to help the bands she managed to break into bigger Australian and international markets.

“Broome is an absolute hub for music in the Kimberley,” Skinner said.

“There is such a wealth of musicians out there and we know there is no one actually directing them.

“Broome should be a launching pad for Western Australian music.”