Aspiring stars flock to Rock School

Those whorocked — we salute you!

The Queensland Conservatorium has just wrapped aweek-long Rock School for aspiring musicians at Griffith University’s Gold Coast campus.

High school musicians receiveda hands-on crash course in popular music, mastering stagecraft and live sound, song writing, performance and recording.

At the end of the week, students showcased their talents at a live performance for family and friends and got the chance to take away a recording of their work.

Queensland Conservatorium popular music lecturer Brendan Anthony was one of the tutors at this year’s Rock School.

An internationally recognised producer, Brendan has worked with everyone from INXS and Jimmy Barnes to Hans Zimmer.

“Rock School is for young musicians who want to expand their skills in popular music,” he said.

“It’s all about replicating the music industry for the kids.

“We educate them in the creative process, get them networking and playing original music and above all else instil that hard work and self-belief are imperative.

“It is a fantastic way to develop the very best raw talents into innovative and creative musicians.”

Brendan was joined by faculty from the Queensland Conservatorium’s popular music program, including renowned voice and stage-craft coach Marisa Lee Naismith and song-writing coach Caleb James.

Now in its 10th year, the Rock School attracts dozens of promising young musicians from Queensland and NSW each summer.

For many, it is the first step towards a career in the music industry, and further studies at the Queensland Conservatorium.

Hannah Luke, 21, attended Rock School in 2013, and has just graduated from the Bachelor of Popular Music.

The Gold Coast singer-songwriter, who performs under the stage name Athena Joy, was a finalist at the Queensland Music Awards in 2016 and has received airplay on Triple J Unearthed and local radio.

“I came up from Coffs Harbour to attend Rock School in my final year of high school and had an awesome time,” she said.

“It was a good taster for the course, and it was cool to meet other people who were passionate about music.

“It was the first time I’d ever written material with other people, and there is such a mix – I was playing folk-pop stuff and was in a band with heavy metal dudes!

“It actually stretches you and forces you to try something new.”