Alexis Courtin

Alexis Courtin arrived in Australia from Belgium in 2007, opening the door on the West Australian arts sector by becoming KULCHA's Program Manager between 2008 and 2011, where his duties embraced the responsibility of implementing the organisation’s artistic policies and coordinating the programming activities and their production across all program areas.

Before crossing the oceans to our shores, Alexis previously worked two and half years in Paris for Pro/Art, implementing Qwartz, the international network for new and electronic music, and coordinating the first two editions of the annual Qwartz Electronic Music Awards.

In Brussels, Alexis became publicity and tour assistant at Crammed Discs, an independent, international record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica and whose most famous act include Tuxedomoon, Konono N1, Bebel Gilberto, Carl Craig, Taraf de Haidouks and Megafaun amonst others.

Alexis joined WAM in February 2012 as Project Officer and coordinates WAM Song of the Year, WA's premier song-writing competition, WAM’s annual workshop program - an initiative delivering year round professional development and networking opportunities to WA musicians and music industry professionals – which incorporates the WAMi Festival Music Industry Conference. On behalf of WAM, Alexis also manages a number of music events such as Sunday Bands in the City, AGWA Nights and the Perth Arena public opening.

While in Australia, Alexis realised a long lasting dream and founded Parenthèses Records - an independent record label whose core objective is to release projects that engage dialogue between culturally diverse musicians and generate new inter-cultural collaborative work. So far the label’s roster include local dub explorers Masonik, Persian fusion ensemble Daramad and Melbourne-based trumpeter Peter Knight.

With a well-earned Australian citizenship in his pocket, Alexis braves homesickness with the finest Belgian brews he can find around town.

Alexis Courtin

Alexis Courtin arrived in Australia from Belgium in 2007, opening the door on the West Australian arts sector by becoming KULCHA's Program Manager between 2008 and 2011, where his duties embraced the responsibility of implementing the organisation’s artistic policies and coordinating the programming activities and their production across all program areas.

Before crossing the oceans to our shores, Alexis previously worked two and half years in Paris for Pro/Art, implementing Qwartz, the international network for new and electronic music, and coordinating the first two editions of the annual Qwartz Electronic Music Awards.

In Brussels, Alexis became publicity and tour assistant at Crammed Discs, an independent, international record label whose output blends world music, rock, pop, and electronica and whose most famous act include Tuxedomoon, Konono N1, Bebel Gilberto, Carl Craig, Taraf de Haidouks and Megafaun amonst others.

Alexis joined WAM in February 2012 as Project Officer and coordinates WAM Song of the Year, WA's premier song-writing competition, WAM’s annual workshop program - an initiative delivering year round professional development and networking opportunities to WA musicians and music industry professionals – which incorporates the WAMi Festival Music Industry Conference. On behalf of WAM, Alexis also manages a number of music events such as Sunday Bands in the City, AGWA Nights and the Perth Arena public opening.

While in Australia, Alexis realised a long lasting dream and founded Parenthèses Records - an independent record label whose core objective is to release projects that engage dialogue between culturally diverse musicians and generate new inter-cultural collaborative work. So far the label’s roster include local dub explorers Masonik, Persian fusion ensemble Daramad and Melbourne-based trumpeter Peter Knight.

With a well-earned Australian citizenship in his pocket, Alexis braves homesickness with the finest Belgian brews he can find around town.

Brooke Kelly

Brooke Kelly is a programming and event coordination specialist. Brooke’s early background began with programming and event coordination as the Program Manager for KULCHA Multicultural Arts of WA before she moved onto to undertake a varied role with Sunset Events that included programming, marketing and sponsorship tasks. Brooke has worked on large scale festivals, in several capacities, including One Movement For Music, Groovin’ The Moo, Southbound, Stereosonic, West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots, St Jerome’s Laneway and the Northbridge Festival.

Brooke has operated her own business, Walk This Way, in which she undertook freelance and contract work in project management, event programming and coordination, marketing, band management, bookings and publicity. In Brooke’s artist management capacity she has accompanied Voltaire Twins to New York City, where they played a series of high-profile shows as part of the CMJ Music Marathon and again in 2012, when they returned to showcase at South by Southwest in Texas and Canadian Music Week in Toronto and several industry showcases in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

In 2011 Brooke took over as director of the WAMi Festival, a weeklong music festival and conference that oversees representatives from the international music industry converge on Perth. The event has become an Australian institution and under Brooke’s stewardship continues to grow.

Brooke has built an impressive network of contacts both locally and nationally and has developed relationships with international industry figures through her work with Sunset Events and WAM, as well as her management role with local Perth bands.

On a personal note, Brooke is completely obsessed with dogs, has an online shopping addiction, loves to travel and has a huge stalker-crush on New York City.

Brooke Kelly

Brooke Kelly is a programming and event coordination specialist. Brooke’s early background began with programming and event coordination as the Program Manager for KULCHA Multicultural Arts of WA before she moved onto to undertake a varied role with Sunset Events that included programming, marketing and sponsorship tasks. Brooke has worked on large scale festivals, in several capacities, including One Movement For Music, Groovin’ The Moo, Southbound, Stereosonic, West Coast Blues ‘n’ Roots, St Jerome’s Laneway and the Northbridge Festival.

Brooke has operated her own business, Walk This Way, in which she undertook freelance and contract work in project management, event programming and coordination, marketing, band management, bookings and publicity. In Brooke’s artist management capacity she has accompanied Voltaire Twins to New York City, where they played a series of high-profile shows as part of the CMJ Music Marathon and again in 2012, when they returned to showcase at South by Southwest in Texas and Canadian Music Week in Toronto and several industry showcases in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York City.

In 2011 Brooke took over as director of the WAMi Festival, a weeklong music festival and conference that oversees representatives from the international music industry converge on Perth. The event has become an Australian institution and under Brooke’s stewardship continues to grow.

Brooke has built an impressive network of contacts both locally and nationally and has developed relationships with international industry figures through her work with Sunset Events and WAM, as well as her management role with local Perth bands.

On a personal note, Brooke is completely obsessed with dogs, has an online shopping addiction, loves to travel and has a huge stalker-crush on New York City.

Over the past 10 years, Claire Hodgson has worked in many roles in the WA music industry and has built a hefty portfolio of skills along the way.

Prior to WAM, Claire worked for music royalty collection agency APRA|AMCOS where she licensed major concerts for music usage. At APRA|AMCOS she also dealt with general music copyright enquiries and assisted with APRA memberships, so is full bottle when it comes to all things music copyright.

Spending a few years working for ARTRAGE as a Marketing Coordinator, Claire gained a truckload of arts marketing experience promoting high profile events such as the Northbridge Festival, Semi-Permanent design conference and big name music acts at ARTRAGE’s venue, The Bakery.

Outside of the office, Claire has been a strong supporter of original live music since checking out her first gig back in high school. She managed a local band for four years, during which time she successfully applied for several DCA touring grants and acted as the tour manager for the subsequent eastern states tours. Claire is still a massive supporter of WA music and continues to go to as many live shows as she can. Recently she started her own band and also appears regularly on RTRFM’s “Burn the Airwaves” program.

Claire’s role at WAM sees her looking after WAM memberships, dealing with enquiries and anything admin related, as well as running events like the WAM AGM and the Kiss My Camera exhibition. A born multi-tasker Claire enjoys her role within the WAMily, because she loves the team and gets to help the WA music community that she has been a part of for so many years.

Over the past 10 years, Claire Hodgson has worked in many roles in the WA music industry and has built a hefty portfolio of skills along the way.

Prior to WAM, Claire worked for music royalty collection agency APRA|AMCOS where she licensed major concerts for music usage. At APRA|AMCOS she also dealt with general music copyright enquiries and assisted with APRA memberships, so is full bottle when it comes to all things music copyright.

Spending a few years working for ARTRAGE as a Marketing Coordinator, Claire gained a truckload of arts marketing experience promoting high profile events such as the Northbridge Festival, Semi-Permanent design conference and big name music acts at ARTRAGE’s venue, The Bakery.

Outside of the office, Claire has been a strong supporter of original live music since checking out her first gig back in high school. She managed a local band for four years, during which time she successfully applied for several DCA touring grants and acted as the tour manager for the subsequent eastern states tours. Claire is still a massive supporter of WA music and continues to go to as many live shows as she can. Recently she started her own band and also appears regularly on RTRFM’s “Burn the Airwaves” program.

Claire’s role at WAM sees her looking after WAM memberships, dealing with enquiries and anything admin related, as well as running events like the WAM AGM and the Kiss My Camera exhibition. A born multi-tasker Claire enjoys her role within the WAMily, because she loves the team and gets to help the WA music community that she has been a part of for so many years.

Aarom Wilson

A three times Golden WAMi-nominated and three-times Media Award Individual winner, Aarom took himself out of award contention by deciding it was time to pay some favours back to the very organization that had helped so much in furthering his own career directions in the WA music industry; WAM.

Singing like a tortured banshee and playing piano even worse, Aarom’s obsessive love of music early on meant that entertainment journalism became a must. Earning a BA, Media (Double Major, Print & Broadcast Journalism), an Ethics Minor and Diploma in Education (Double Major in English & Media), freelance writing became a passion before becoming Metior’s Editor for two years, winning the award for Best Australian University Publication. He also became the youngest Unit-Coordinator and Lecturer at Murdoch University, teaching several Broadcast Journalism units, as well as running numerous community broadcasting courses.

It was then off to play a vital part in establishing Drum Media Perth. Assistant Editor when Drum started in 2006, Aarom worked to ensure the magazine’s credibility through his love of local music, ethics and quality journalism. Then as Editor he also helped drive the online output, including TheMusic.com.au, scoring a PDMA nomination for Outstanding Contribution along the way.

Moving to WAM late 2012, Aarom also fills his time with DJing (including having been part of the WAMi-nominated Cut & Paste Soundsystem), hosting shows on RTRFM since 2000 (currently presenting Train Wreck and Golden Apples Of The Sun), running PR/Career Consultancy business aaroMEDIA (Rokwell & Groom, Diger Rokwell, Mathas, Ylem and Naik), regular writing for The West Australian, The Wire, TheMusic.com.au and Drum Media Perth, and generally just spending way too much time obsessing over communicating, marketing and music (preferably all, with a beer in hand).

Dirty laundry? Aarom’s obsession with cooking saw him being ousted after a few rounds of the very first Australian Masterchef series, and he was an annoying telemarketer for two years.

Aarom Wilson

A three times Golden WAMi-nominated and three-times Media Award Individual winner, Aarom took himself out of award contention by deciding it was time to pay some favours back to the very organization that had helped so much in furthering his own career directions in the WA music industry; WAM.

Singing like a tortured banshee and playing piano even worse, Aarom’s obsessive love of music early on meant that entertainment journalism became a must. Earning a BA, Media (Double Major, Print & Broadcast Journalism), an Ethics Minor and Diploma in Education (Double Major in English & Media), freelance writing became a passion before becoming Metior’s Editor for two years, winning the award for Best Australian University Publication. He also became the youngest Unit-Coordinator and Lecturer at Murdoch University, teaching several Broadcast Journalism units, as well as running numerous community broadcasting courses.

It was then off to play a vital part in establishing Drum Media Perth. Assistant Editor when Drum started in 2006, Aarom worked to ensure the magazine’s credibility through his love of local music, ethics and quality journalism. Then as Editor he also helped drive the online output, including TheMusic.com.au, scoring a PDMA nomination for Outstanding Contribution along the way.

Moving to WAM late 2012, Aarom also fills his time with DJing (including having been part of the WAMi-nominated Cut & Paste Soundsystem), hosting shows on RTRFM since 2000 (currently presenting Train Wreck and Golden Apples Of The Sun), running PR/Career Consultancy business aaroMEDIA (Rokwell & Groom, Diger Rokwell, Mathas, Ylem and Naik), regular writing for The West Australian, The Wire, TheMusic.com.au and Drum Media Perth, and generally just spending way too much time obsessing over communicating, marketing and music (preferably all, with a beer in hand).

Dirty laundry? Aarom’s obsession with cooking saw him being ousted after a few rounds of the very first Australian Masterchef series, and he was an annoying telemarketer for two years.

Jessica Thomas

Jessica comes with a bit of a diverse background. Deciding early on in her career to make the shift from science into the world of business, she’s worked across different technical fields, garnering as many approaches to commercialisation as possible. Having been a commercial researcher in medical technologies, an IP strategy consultant, an international analyst for renewable energy and recently the operations manager in an early stage software organisation, she now comes armed with MBA-acquired jargon, and is settling into the very different world of music comfortably.

She’s happiest developing markets and relevance while diversifying income opportunities, both of which she hopes to implement with the team at WAM. Always focused on finding out the best way to do something, don’t be offended if she asks a lot of questions – she’s just curious. Really. She has too many years of science behind her not to be. And she thinks that everyone has something to teach her.

So since she’s here to work with the industry and for the industry, so if you have any input or comments – excellent or awful – let her know, because she’s a firm believer that information is the basis of all good decisions. And if you see her out and about, say hello, because she’s pretty shy and might not make the first move. Unless she’s travelling, then she’ll talk to anyone it seems.

Jessica Thomas

Jessica comes with a bit of a diverse background. Deciding early on in her career to make the shift from science into the world of business, she’s worked across different technical fields, garnering as many approaches to commercialisation as possible. Having been a commercial researcher in medical technologies, an IP strategy consultant, an international analyst for renewable energy and recently the operations manager in an early stage software organisation, she now comes armed with MBA-acquired jargon, and is settling into the very different world of music comfortably.

She’s happiest developing markets and relevance while diversifying income opportunities, both of which she hopes to implement with the team at WAM. Always focused on finding out the best way to do something, don’t be offended if she asks a lot of questions – she’s just curious. Really. She has too many years of science behind her not to be. And she thinks that everyone has something to teach her.

So since she’s here to work with the industry and for the industry, so if you have any input or comments – excellent or awful – let her know, because she’s a firm believer that information is the basis of all good decisions. And if you see her out and about, say hello, because she’s pretty shy and might not make the first move. Unless she’s travelling, then she’ll talk to anyone it seems.

Nigel Bird

Nigel Bird has been the Regional Officer for WAM since 2003. In this position, Nigel has toured contemporary music artists and completed specific contemporary music skills development projects in every major centre, in every region of WA. 

In 2012 Nigel was awarded a BHP Billiton Scholarship to complete a post-graduate certificate in Social Impact at UWA Business School. Nigel has extensive festival event experience from roles including site electrician to stage management. Since 2004 Nigel has managed the ‘artist inner sanctums' of major festivals, including Southbound, Laneway and West Coast Blues and Roots Festivals.

Nigel booked and managed entertainment for The Grosvenor (2000-02) and Swan Hotel (2002-06). He was chairperson for the WA branch of the Music Managers Forum in the early 2000’s, a committee member of the Next Big Thing State-wide band competition (03-07) and has been a funding panellist for the State Government’s Department of Culture and The Arts since 2001. 

After playing his first ‘pub gig’ in 1994, Nigel has always remained active as a performing artist in several bands - touring Australia and Western Australia extensively, from performing in small venues to the playing on national festival stages.

Nigel Bird

Nigel Bird has been the Regional Officer for WAM since 2003. In this position, Nigel has toured contemporary music artists and completed specific contemporary music skills development projects in every major centre, in every region of WA. 

In 2012 Nigel was awarded a BHP Billiton Scholarship to complete a post-graduate certificate in Social Impact at UWA Business School. Nigel has extensive festival event experience from roles including site electrician to stage management. Since 2004 Nigel has managed the ‘artist inner sanctums' of major festivals, including Southbound, Laneway and West Coast Blues and Roots Festivals.

Nigel booked and managed entertainment for The Grosvenor (2000-02) and Swan Hotel (2002-06). He was chairperson for the WA branch of the Music Managers Forum in the early 2000’s, a committee member of the Next Big Thing State-wide band competition (03-07) and has been a funding panellist for the State Government’s Department of Culture and The Arts since 2001. 

After playing his first ‘pub gig’ in 1994, Nigel has always remained active as a performing artist in several bands - touring Australia and Western Australia extensively, from performing in small venues to the playing on national festival stages.