TAFE Queensland's music students light up Vinnie's showcase

The event was a smashing success, breaking attendance records for the venue since before the pandemic. One standout performer, Kara Bradley, who has cherished a lifelong love for music, expressed her pride in taking the stage at Vinnie's.

"I felt so grateful and proud to be on stage in front of all my friends, peers, teachers, and family. It was the first time performing with my band, we just owned it and had so much fun. The crowd really gave it back to us and I even had people singing lyrics of my songs back to me," said Kara.

The Coomera campus student praises TAFE Queensland for providing valuable industry connections, music theory knowledge, and access to top-notch facilities and equipment.

“I credit my performances in the campus auditorium for preparing me for the transition from rehearsal rooms to live stages. The teachers nurture the skills you need to be able to do so smoothly," she said.

“I have made so many connections since starting at TAFE Queensland and having access to great facilities and equipment has really helped me reach my goals.”

Participating in the Vinnie's event has already propelled Kara's career and opened doors to exciting opportunities.

“The gig demonstrated that hard work and dedication can yield tangible results in the competitive music industry. It’s not only given us all experience but also shown the public and industry what we have been working on all year," said Kara. 

“Having such a successful first gig has already set my band and I up for future opportunities and given us the confidence to continue putting in the hard work."

Fellow music student, Alana Gibson, enrolled into the course straight out of high school and took on the role of organising the Vinnie's event with encouragement from her teachers.

“My teachers suggested a live event would be a great way to showcase talent from our cohort and give everyone a little push to start making their original music ready for gigging,” said Ms Alana.

“Organising a gig at a real venue with lots of students has made me feel more versatile as a musician. It’s given me the understanding of how to collaborate with industry and the importance of teaming up with other bands.”

“The event's success exceeded expectations, with over 100 tickets sold, doubling our initial goal of 50," she said.  

Both Kara and Alana encouraged aspiring musicians to consider studying music at TAFE Queensland.

“We get incredible support from teachers and the endless connections available within the course is the best way to step out into the industry and start gigging,” said Alana.

Meanwhile Kara said if you have a passion for music, you will not regret it.

“My first year of study at TAFE Queensland has completely changed my life. I feel like a different person to who I was when I started, instead of dreaming of things I’m actively making them come into fruition. I have made some amazing friends, learned so much about music and the creative process in general, let alone all the new songs I have written,” said Kara.

 “I’ve seen such a difference in the quality of my writing and it makes me even more excited to share them with the world.” 

Their stories highlight the transformative power of education and dedication, offering hope and inspiration to emerging artists in the music industry.

TAFE Queensland delivers the Bachelor of Contemporary Music (3003140 | 026996C) in partnership with Southern Cross University.