Let your music work for you
Surrounding Sound is a professional development series from Australian Music Centre, designed to equip art music practitioners with the skills and industry knowledge to sustain creative careers.
This series invites music industry experts to share essential skills and resources for practicing musicians to maintain a sustainable and creative career in the art music space. Being a creative isn’t always easy, so let your music work for you. Whether you are an early-career or a seasoned artist, balancing multiple career pathways, or are yearning to dive into the music world, this is where we talk about all things Surrounding Sound.
Surrounding Sound: Level Up 2025
A professional development conference for art music practitioners
In 2025 we invited you to take your career to the next level with Surrounding Sound: Level Up — a free, one-day professional development conference designed specifically for early- to mid-career practitioners working in contemporary classical, jazz, improvisation, and sound art.
Building on the AMC’s flagship online series, this in-person event brought together leading voices in the music industry for a day of practical workshops, insightful panels, and real-world case studies. The aim was for attendees to gain clarity on how to build a sustainable creative career, with sessions focused on essential topics like strategic planning, fundraising, audience development, music export, and regional touring.
The conference also provided full catering and networking opportunities to connect with peers, industry leaders, and potential new collaborators.
2025 Conference Sessions
A Brief Introduction to ICIP | with Nathaniel Andrews (NATSIMO) and Meeghan Oliver (AMC)
Strategic Planning for Art Music Creators | with Jacqueline Thomas-Piccardi (Cinque Artist Management) and Luke Tierney (Tier1 Arts)
Panel: Grants and Fundraising | moderated by Paul Mason, with Frankie Airey (Philanthropy Squared), Michelle Boyle (Creative Australia), David Everist (Create NSW), Peter Keough (Sound NSW), and Sally Piper (Music Australia)
Pitching Your Creative Work | with Emily Tulloch and David Boyce
Panel: Exporting Art Music | moderated by Glenn Dickie, with Jeremy Rose, Claire Edwardes, and Fabienne Krause (Classical:NEXT)
Regional Touring | with Joe Muller (Music NSW)
Growing Your Audience | with Mardi Caught (The Annex) and Ross McHenry
Networking Drinks
Sign up to our event mailing list for announcements.
Surrounding Sound: Level Up is proudly funded by the NSW Government through Sound NSW.
