Angela becomes a sound technician with a global ambition

With a love for studio work, Angela left her administrative role. She began studying for the Diploma of Music (Sound Production) (CUA50820) to pursue her passion and hone her production skills for a musical career.

One of the most defining aspects of her TAFE Queensland education has been the practical, boots-on-the-ground experience she's gained through work placements at music festivals.

“I’ve done work experience at big events like the Blues on Broadbeach, the Gympie Music Muster, and with IJS Productions,” she explains.

Through these opportunities, Angela witnessed firsthand the incredible effort that goes into staging a concert, from setting up systems to problem-solving on the go.

During her time, Angela discovered an unexpected passion for setting up equipment, managing mixing desks, and the intricate work of staging live events.

By providing high-end audio, lighting, staging, led screens and backline installations for significant festivals and live concerts, she found her career niche within the industry.

“Working on these events gave me a different perspective of the industry and allowed me to understand the warehouse and logistics side of the live music scene as I helped prepare equipment for each event.”

“The scope and detail required is challenging, and I got insights into what my future could look like working within a large production company. It helped me determine if this is the career path I want.” 

"Seeing how much goes into a one-day event while gaining valuable industry experience was amazing. You don't realise its scale until you're putting it all together," Angela says.

Her TAFE Queensland teachers facilitated these real-world festival experiences, and they are not only instructors but also industry professionals who bring vast industry connections to every class.

Her teachers make learning deeply relevant, from bringing bands into the studio for live mixing demonstrations to sharing anecdotes about troubleshooting at shows.

The facilities at TAFE Queensland also offer Angela and her classmates a full suite of professional equipment, enabling students to bridge theory and practice seamlessly.

Angela was blown away the first time she walked into the classroom studio filled with top-of-the-line mixing consoles, patch bays, and software.

“You don’t just read about doing it - you get to do it, figure it out and apply it, which is how I learn best,” she shares.

Also enhancing Angela's learning are her collaborative classmates, who share her passion for sound production and learning their craft in TAFE Queensland's facilities.

"I love studying with my classmates because we’re a mix of different ages, experiences and knowledge levels. It means I'm not just learning alongside them, but also learning from them," she said.

"Everyone in class is like-minded, so when we complete group work, we solve problems, testing our knowledge simultaneously. And because my classmates come from different backgrounds, I pick more things up.”

Looking ahead, Angela’s ambitions go beyond local gigs, and she dreams of taking her skills internationally, travelling, and working on live performances around the globe.

Angela’s now building her expertise and connections in Australia, but she’s open to wherever her musical career might lead. Her advice is clear to those considering studying for the same career path.

“Just do it. TAFE Queensland has given me so many opportunities and connections. Don’t hesitate to take them – you never know where they might lead,” she concluded.