Meet our next group of Music Industry Mentoring participants
Meet the next cohort
Music Industry Mentoring is a structured workplace learning program for young people in the early stages of their music career.
With support from The Ian Potter Foundation, over the next three years The Push will give 60 young people the opportunity to be placed and mentored in some of Australia’s biggest music companies to develop skills, confidence and networks across a range of streams including event management, technical production, business operations and marketing and promotions.
Since commencing in 2023, The Push has received over 1,000 applications from young people across Australia applying to be involved in the program. For our next round, seven young people were selected to participate in workplace learning opportunities with DarkLab, Live Nation, Mellen, Moshtix, Queensland Music Festival, Select Music and Unified.
Applications for the next round of Music Industry Mentoring will open in March. Make sure to register your interest and be amongst the first to apply for the next round.
Alyssa Magor
Mentoring Opportunity: Moshtix (SA) – Marketing Assistant
Pronouns: any
Age: 23
Who are you currently listening to?
This is an interesting one as this year I have challenged myself to listen to a new album in full each day, but outside of that I tend to stick to my pop-punk roots and listen to a lot of Neck Deep, Stand Atlantic, Slowly Slowly, and With Confidence.
First live gig?
My first gig was AC/DC at Adelaide Oval in 2015 when I was 14 years old.
What are you currently doing in music?
I have been studying a business degree in entertainment management and putting that knowledge into practice managing local Adelaide band Stormy-Lou. I also do contract work at festivals and work at the box office at a lot of our local venues.
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
I am looking forward to learning a lot about marketing as it is one of the main areas in the industry that I don’t have experience in and will really help me in understanding where I want to have a career. Obviously meeting new like-minded people and networking is a massive opportunity in itself and I am very grateful for it. I am also very interested to learn how the different departments in a ticketing company work together to put on major events and connect people to music. Working with Moshtix is a dream as they are the ticketing provider for my favourite venues across the city, so working internally will be very exciting.
Ash Naylor
Mentoring Opportunity: DarkLab (TAS) – Music Programming Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 24
Who are you currently listening to?
I haven't stopped listening to CINTAs' album "Worth Control" since its release, and Emma Donovan has a permanent spot on my playlist- plus I've been listening to a lot of producers like Roza Terenzi, Mabel, and Andy Garvey.
First live gig?
One of the first gigs I can remember going to was Macklemore when I was 13- with my mums supervision of course.
What are you currently doing in music?
I've been working as a freelance music/event photographer for over 5 years now, and have shot for hundreds of artists, local and international.
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
I'm really looking forward to gaining a greater understanding of the roles within the music and events industry, and trying to nail down my own passions. Being able to work alongside some of the best brains in the biz when it comes to music is such a privilege for me, and I'm excited to network and connect with other Aus music aficionados!
Charlotte Donelly
Mentoring Opportunity: Live Nation Entertainment (VIC) – Venues Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 18
Who are you currently listening to?
My recent rotation includes The Buoys, Laufey, Taylor Swift, JADE, Teenage Joans, Amyl and the Sniffers, SZA, Troye Sivan, Megan Thee Stallion, Twice, Thelma Plum and Paramore.
First live gig?
It was One Direction with 5 Seconds of Summer as openers at Rod Laver Arena when I was 6!
What are you currently doing in music?
I'm currently studying a certificate III in sound production at Collarts as well as volunteering with FReeZA and local community radio station. My casual merch work at the MCG and Melbourne & Olympic Parks helps fund my passion for vinyl and live gigs.
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
I am thriled to be selected for the internship! I'm passionate about live music and working towards a career in event management. I'm excited to build on my knowledge by being exposed to all the areas that work together to put on a live show. And to be assisting at two of the most iconic Melbourne music venues - a dream!
Jess Humby
Mentoring Opportunity: Mellen Events (WA) – Event Ticketing Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 23
Who are you currently listening to?
I’m listening to a real mix at the moment, I’ve gotten back into some of my personal Aussie childhood classics, a bit of Meg Washington and Ben Lee. But also really loving the beautiful voices and lyrics of Folk Bitch Trio, Ruby Gill and Rowena Wise.
First live gig?
I actually think my first ever show was Kylie Minogue at the old Burswood Dome, I must’ve been about 10 and had a blast. But the first real gig I took myself to at 16 was a lovely all ages show featuring Ball Park Music, San Cisco and Ruby Fields.
What are you currently doing in music?
I have just finished studying a Bachelor of Arts Management and I recently completed an internship in artist management at One Louder Entertainment in Sydney. I’m now back in Perth doing seasonal festival work with Macro Music as event assistant and artist liaison. I’ve made 2025 my year to devote more energy and time to my solo music project. I’m slowly getting closer to finishing my first ep, a project I’ve been working on and juggling for a couple years now.
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
I’m looking forward to learning from the team at Mellen and discovering all that goes into bringing their events to life, especially their shows at King’s Park, an iconic and unique Perth live music venue. I also love meeting and networking with people across the industry who share a passion for music, live events and Australian artists. I’m super keen to meet the crew at Mellen and get to know their industry experiences as well as the group of mentees in the program and their goals in the industry.
Maya Gertler
Mentoring Opportunity: Select Music (NSW) – Booking Agent Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 20
Who are you currently listening to?
Everything local! My top picks at the moment are Salarymen, Don West, Tjaka, The Cruel Sea and Velvet Trip.
First live gig?
The first rock show I went to was Palaye Royale at the Crowbar in Sydney. The first proper show I ever played as a guitarist was at the iconic Inner West venue Kelly’s on King with my band Lemonise!
What are you currently doing in music?
At the moment I study Contemporary Music Practice and Marketing at the Sydney Conservatorium and am in my second year. I also play guitar in my own band and am a session player for NSW-based performers! I’m a PRS Guitars-endorsed Pulse Artist and I love to play psychedelic-style riffs. For work, I teach music lessons at primary schools. I’m super into events and love to plan shows for my band and other friends in the industry!
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
I am particularly interested in the nitty-gritty details and processes involved in being a Booking Agent. I am keen to dive into the exact steps it takes to execute the perfect show!
Nathan Gunn
Mentoring Opportunity: UNIFIED Music Group (VIC) – Artist Management Assistant
Pronouns: he/him
Age: 23
Who are you currently listening to?
Spacey Jane’s new track ‘All The Noise’ is on repeat for me at the moment — so good for a long drive with the windows down. Speakers at full volume, of course!
First live gig?
My first show was Reece Mastin, back in 2012! I was 11 years old and he was the rockstar I always wanted to be at that age. At that time it was the best thing I’d ever experienced!
What are you currently doing in music?
When I’m not doing my day job, I’m sharing my time across lots of different live music events. This could be anything from accreditation and artist services, to ticketing. I love the variety of the work available in the industry.
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
I’m really looking forward to developing meaningful relationships with true industry professionals, while learning as much as I possibly can! A career in artist management is something I’ve always worked towards so to be able to work with some of the industry’s best is an absolute dream come true. Some of my favourite artists are on UNIFIED Artist Management’s roster too, so being able to help those artists bring their dreams to life is something I’m so grateful for.
Shaniece Girardo
Mentoring Opportunity: Queensland Music Festival (QLD) – Tour & Production Assistant
Pronouns: she/her
Age: 21
Who are you currently listening to?
I enjoy having a very mixed playlist. However, I am currently loving finding new R&B, Indie-pop artists that are growing a larger following. Plenty more to discover.
First live gig?
Though I’m not a performer, I was around live music often in my early years. I don’t aspire to be on stage myself, but I am deeply interested in what goes on behind the stage. Helping an artists creative vision and bringing music to people is more where my passion lies.
What are you currently doing in music?
I am currently studying creative industries at SAE Brisbane. I will a be focusing on music subjects as I also began a diploma in music last year.
What are you looking forward to about the Music Industry Mentoring program?
Gaining industry experience. I am eager to learn everything I can within this mentorship, building a deeper knowledge of what I may want to do in the industry moving forward. To be part of the music industry is excitement on its own. I love to see how things are run and what processes are involved.
Want to join this group of legends? Make sure you’re amongst it for the next round!
Applications for the next round will open in March, so be sure you’re ready and be amongst the first to know when applications open. Join the list by registering your interest here.
The Music Industry Mentoring Program is delivered with support from The Ian Potter Foundation - one of Australia’s major philanthropic foundations, delivering grants to support charitable organisations working to benefit the community.