Music students play Brunswick Street Live

Set up by part-time TAFE Queensland hospitality teachers Kate Marshall and James Lang, the bar uses local beer, spirits, juices, garnishes and syrups to ensure that their drinks and food positively add to their customers' experience.

“Our goal is to source ingredients from within 200 kilometres of Brisbane. By serving and creating drinks and food using local produce, we can offer our guests a great experience,” explained co-owner James Lange.

In keeping with their local provenance philosophy, James contacted TAFE Queensland’s creative faculty, seeking music students to perform at the California Laneway. 

California Laneway aims to showcase Brisbane’s up-and-coming musicians as part of the Brunswick Street Live event.

Held on an indoor and an outdoor stage, the student musicians will alternate sets from midday to 8pm; the sets require the students to play for an hour.

Music and Production teacher Marcos Gil answered the call and connected James with Diploma of Music Industry (Performance) (CUA50820) students Ash McCarthy, Dom Fomiatti and Naomi Williams.

In the lead-up, the students also promoted the event through Facebook, Instagram and physical posters, adding to the experience of being paid festival musicians.

Naomi, who came to TAFE Queensland to enhance her ability to teach piano and singing, said performing at the gig was a dream come true.

“Getting a paid gig feels like a dream come true, and it was an incredible honour; I was happy to see also that our sound team that day consisted of current and former Sound Production students,” said Naomi.

While she admits to nervousness, Naomi was buoyed by the stage’s professional set-up and the fantastic crowd.

“I was very nervous; however, I had a huge support network there to cheer me on, including friends, family and classmates from TAFE Queensland, who I consider life-long friends and music partners.”

To ensure the performance ran smoothly, students Kailah Coggins and alumni student Boddhi Farmer ensured the stages were powered, and the microphones and instruments were set up for the audience to hear the performers.

“The performance was a blast, and the sound team had a professional set-up, encouraged me and were easy to chat with pre-performance. My friends all enjoyed dancing to Post Modern Jukebox’s versions of “Are You Gonna Be My Girl” to finish the night,” she said.

Naomi’s experience performing at the festival solidified her desire to pursue a music career, and she can’t wait to get back on stage.

“I love entertaining people through song - making people smile and dance again after the last few painful years where the music industry was put backstage is just an incredible feeling.”

Naomi is using Fee-Free TAFE funding to kickstart her music career, which is part of the Queensland Government's Good People. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.

It aims to connect, educate, and attract the people needed to meet the state's workforce demand in existing and new industry sectors and support continued economic growth.

With approximately 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training places available in 2024, the program will support Queenslanders to skill up to meet the state's current and future workforce needs by enabling them to complete selected qualifications at no or low cost.

“As a mature-aged student, it was nerve-wracking going back to study in my thirties. However, everyone at TAFE Queensland has been delightful to work with, and I have felt welcomed every step of the way.

“There has been no question too hard or annoying. I always thought I wasn’t ‘good enough’ to be a musician, but I am so glad I could study music as I know this will be my life-long career now.”

Naomi is grateful for the opportunity to study and become the musician she’s destined to be.

“I wouldn’t have studied without the Fee-Free offer, and I’m so grateful to do what I love with amazing people for only the cost of transport. I’ve also seen how the Music Department has graciously accommodated our mid-year intake and gone above and beyond to give us wonderful opportunities.”

“With the money I’ve saved, I’ve purchased an amp and had the money to set up and perform gigs around Brisbane, and I haven’t incurred any extra debt while studying towards my dream career.”

Naomi is thriving as she studies alongside like-minded musician classmates while being guided by teachers from the industry as she enhances her musical talents.

“Thanks to the skills I’ve developed and the industry connections I’ve made, I’m performing and rehearsing while completing all my assessments on time before we finish the Diploma.”

“My class and I are also prepping for our big performances during our Gig Festival on the Lawn and at the Princess Theatre - we hope to make TAFE Queensland proud!” Naomi said.

Now that Naomi and her classmates have proven their musical credentials, James looks forward to inviting them back to perform at Langs Lounge.  

“The students were professional and accommodating, and after seeing their performance content on social media, all three were offered and accepted the paid gig,” added James.

“We will run events like this every quarter, and I will keep the students in for future concerts. I’m also exploring their potential for paid residencies within our bar or other bars in the lane,” he concluded.