John Foreman
John Foreman is Australia’s music guru. With more than eighteen years experience as a musical director, record producer, pianist, composer and television personality, John is now instrumental in the discovery of new Australian talent.

John wrote The Flame, which was performed by Tina Arena and the Sydney Symphony Orchestra at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Opening Ceremony. Artists such as Vanessa Amorosi and Jose Carreras have also performed his compositions.

After many years tickling Bert Newton’s ivories on Good Morning Australia, John joined Australian Idol as musical director in 2003. He was a producer on the record-breaking debut album for Australian Idol Guy Sebastian, and in 2004 produced a studio album for Marcia Hines which achieve Gold status. He also produced Anthony Callea’s record breaking hit The Prayer which won an ARIA Award for Highest Selling Single.

John is musical director and producer for Vision Australia’s Carols by Candlelight® and the TV Week Logie Awards, and an occasional contributor to the Nine Network’s 20 to 1.

As a jazz pianist, John has performed at festivals in Montreal, Canada, USA and jazz venues in London. He has also worked with Chris Isaak, Reba McEntire, Joe Williams, James Galway and Shirley Bassey.

According to John, one of the highlights of his annual calendar is performing as host for the annual Schools Spectacular, broadcast LIVE from the Sydney Entertainment Centre on ABC television.

John is the ambassador for Music – Count Us In, an initiative of the Australian Music Council to encourage music education in schools and has written a book ‘John Foreman – Your Guide to Unlocking The Australian Music Industry’ a collection of inside tips and tricks to help all aspiring entertainers.

Jay Dee Springbett
Jay Dee Springbett became a household name as a judge on Australian Idol now Master Class is giving you the chance to learn from this legend of the Australian music industry.

As the head of A&R Sony Music, Jay Dee has signed and works with some of the biggest names in Australian music including TDP Graduates Human Nature, Rogue Traders, Jessica Mauboy and Cassie Davis just to name a few.

Born in the north of England, Jay Dee spent his early twenties managing bands in London before partnering up with management guru Jonathan Shalit. Before long he was the helm of huge UK acts including Artful Dodger and Jamelia. In 2004, Jay Dee moved to Australia after a meeting with Sony Music CEO Denis Handlin and is now enjoying widespread success discovering and developing new talent in his role as the Head of A&R.

Felicity Urquhart
With numerous awards including three Golden Guitars, three MO Awards, three Indie Entertainer of the Year Awards and two Australian Country Music People’s Choice Awards, Felicity has been a leading light of the Australian country music scene for more than a decade. In 2010 this dedication was rewarded with Felicity named the Country Music Association of Australia’s (CMAA) Female Artist of the Year.

Following the release of her new album, Landing Lights, Felicity’s star keeps rising with rave reviews as a recording artist and performer. Felicity has supported John Mellencamp, Sheryl Crow, Willie Nelson and the late Waylon Jennings and toured Australia with international music icon Kenny Rogers. She has been songwriting with some of Australia’s leading writers, including James Blundell, Mark Seymour, James Reyne, Karl Broadie and Ross Wilson.

Felicity’s popularity also extends beyond her work as an artist. Her hectic schedule includes work as a presenter on Channel 7’s Sydney Weekender and hosting Saturday Night Country on ABC Radio.

As a TDP Graduate, Felicity understands the need to support young upcoming performers and continues to play a huge role uncovering and developing young talent. Over the last 12 months she has been involved with the Telstra Road To Tamworth, worked with students at the Camerata Youth Country Music School and hosted numerous songwriting and performance workshops throughout Queensland, NSW and Victoria.

Mary Lopez AM
Mary Lopez has won public acclaim and recognition throughout the entertainment industry for her production and direction of mass cast spectaculars. These events have taken place within the public, government, sporting and corporate sectors. However, it is her work developing the talents of thousands of Australia’s young stars of which she is most proud.

In 1984, Mary created the concept for the first Schools Spectacular. Mary directed this massive production, featuring more than 3,000 singers, dancers and musicians, for 25 years. It is staged annually at the Sydney Entertainment Centre and broadcast nationally on ABC Television.

The outstanding, but raw talent of the soloists in the Schools Spectacular gave rise to the need for a training program that could develop the performing skills of these young students and open the doors for a career in the entertainment industry. The result was the Talent Development Project launched in 1991.

Using the experience and guidance of a range of volunteer, contemporary industry professionals, Mary has created a training program which provides unique career development opportunities to public school students from the smallest NSW country towns to the city.

Mary’s ability to identify the potential in young performers is evidenced in the success of program. TDP graduates include Human Nature, John Foreman, Paulini, Emma Pask, Angus and Julia Stone, music theatre stars Amanda Harrison and David Harris and a host of awarding winning country music artists including Felicity Urquhart, Darren Coggan, Jedd Hughes and The McClymonts.

Mary’s efforts to support new Australian talent, also extends overseas. In 2006 she was instrumental in creating the TDP’s Bound for Broadway Scholarship, providing the opportunity for outstanding TDP graduates to train and perform in New York.

This year, Mary’s development of talented young Australian entertainers and her contribution to public education and the performing arts has been recognised with an Honorary Doctorate of Letters from the University of Western Sydney. On Australia Day 1999 Mary was appointed a member of the Order of Australia and has been recognised with a Variety Humanitarian of the Year Award.

Trevor Ashley
Trevor is best known to international audiences for his show-stopping turn as Miss Understanding in the world premiere cast of "Priscilla Queen of the Desert – the Musical", playing over 600 performances in the role between Sydney and Melbourne.

Since then, Trevor has created and produced the cabaret phenomenon Showqueen, showcasing over a hundred cabaret performers and playing to thousands in the audiences at the Supper Club over the past two years. In 2010 it finds a new home at the Sugar Mill in Kings Cross.

His hysterical new show, Liza (on an E), was a complete sellout during Minnelli’s recent Australian tour. With drag star Courtney Act, he also created and starred in Gentlemen Prefer Blokes. He followed this with Gale Edward’s massive hit, Jerry Springer the Opera at the Sydney Opera House.

He is one of Australia's most versatile performers, having performed everywhere from the Sydney Opera House Concert Hall to alternative music festival Homebake, Carols by Candlelight and the Sydney Comedy Festival Gala (Channel 9).

As a drag performer, Trevor has been in high demand on the corporate market, and in Sydney gay clubs where he worked solidly for five years under the guise of his alter ego Cleopatra Coupe. As one of the few Sydney queens to sing live, Trevor is also a skilled impersonator, with his incredible vocals capturing Cher, Garland, Bassey, Midler, Liza, Dusty and Tina Turner.

Trevor has been nominated for two MO awards, and is the winner of several DIVA awards. He is a graduate of the Talent Development Project.

Hillary Daniels
Hillary Daniels is one of Australia’s leading makeup artists and stylists with extensive experience in fashion, photography, television, magazines, music and theatre.

Hillary also leads departments in Fashion Styling, Makeup Design, Wig Dressing, Hair Styling and Art Direction.

Some of Hillary’s high profile jobs include Head of Department for musicals and musical events including the Helpmann Awards broadcast and most recently, Calendar Girls. High profile clients include international singing star Mica Paris. Locally he has worked with top Australian entertainers including Jimmy Barnes, Julia Zemiro, Paulini, Marina Prior, Caroline O’Connor, Nancy Hayes … and many more

For the past two years Hillary has donated his time to style the TDP graduates for their professional photo shoot and the START ME UP Concert.

Courtney Hard
Courtney Hard, Senior Manager of A&R, came to Sony Music Australia four years ago. However, she has been following the Australian industry for some time and has worked with Sony for many years. Sony Music is by far the most creative and resourceful local and international record company with the most thriving local roster and impressive international rosters. Courtney's background and primary musical interests cover rock, alternative, singer/songwriter and country. She specializes in artist development. Courtney has an Arts degree from University of Georgia, Athens, and her work experience covers all parts of the industry in all parts of the world from Montreal, Barcelona, Atlanta, New York City, Los Angeles, and now Sydney.

Courtney looks after artist such as Augie March, Pete Murray, Kate Miller Heidke, Adam Harvey, and Cassette Kids to name a few.

Mark Vincent
After winning the 2009 series Australia’s Got Talent, Mark Vincent’s musical career has gone from strength to strength. Almost a year after the release of his smash debut album “My Dream – Mio Visione”, he has now released a second album “Compass”.

Mark has performed with Whitney Houston and the Priests in front of thousands of people. Whitney Houston’s songwriter Diane Warren also quickly became a fan, having heard Mark rehearse in a side-room. So much so, that she gave him the title song for Compass to record.

He’s also performed several times on Channel 7’s “Sunrise” and at major sporting events across the nation while trying to get his school work done!

For Mark his growth as an artist and as a young man has taught him two key life lessons: always go the extra mile, and don’t waste any time.

Jessica Lingotti
Jessica Lingotti’s professional career started at 18 but her passion for singing started much earlier in life. After representing her background country (Uruguay) by singing their national anthem in front of the Uruguayan athletes, she knew she wanted to pursue this career.

At 18, Jessica was spotted performing at a talent contest and landed the singing role as the lead female vocalist in the dance sensation ‘Burn the Floor’. Now 19, Jessica has completed two tours with ‘Burn the Floor’, touring through Europe, Canada, USA and China. Jessica is a seasoned performer with experience also including The 2007 “Schools Spectacular” (featured artist), backing vocalist for John Paul Young “Love is in the Air” and Mark Williams. Jessica also works regularly with her band and in the studio.

Jessica understands the challenges presented by the Talent Development Project, having been a student of the program in 2007/2008. While her career path saw her leave the TDP before she graduated, Jessica has been invited to join the graduating class in 2010 in recognition of her outstanding talent and success in the music industry.

Milly Petriella
Milly is APRA|AMCOS's Deputy Director Member Services, a position she has held since January 2005. In addition to working at APRA|AMCOS for more than 14 years, Milly has been involved in the Australian music industry for more than two decades. Milly is currently the Deputy Chair of Music NSW and in May 2008 was elected to the board of Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia and most recently elected to Forces Entertainment Board. Milly serves on a number of key music industry committees including Support Act Limited, Country Music Advisory Group Australia and VROOM (online venue guide). She has also been a consultant to the Talent Development Project since 2002. Prior to joining APRA|AMCOS Milly managed artists, booked live entertainment in Sydney venues. Milly is a keen supporter of Sydney’s urban music scene.

Tony Grace
Tony Grace is the Senior Agent at The Harbour Agency, Australia’s largest booking agency for music artists. With 30 years experience in the industry, Tony’s key to success is hard work and determination.

This work ethic has seen him represent some of the biggest names in the Australian music industry with millions of records sold between them here and overseas. Some of Tony’s clients include Human Nature, David Campbell, Guy Sebastian, Shannon Noll, Wendy Matthews, Short Stack, Ian Moss, Choirboys and many more.

The Harbour Agency represents artists from a diverse range of styles and experience. Tony and his team help guide and develop performers in the early stages of their careers as well as working with artists who have sold millions of records around the world.

Simon Moor
Simon Moor commenced his career in the music industry working for Mushroom Records as an A&R scout. This early training soon lead to a senior marketing role with Sony Music Australia, which after some years lead back to A&R where Simon signed artists including Sunk Loto, Frenzal Rhomb and Leah Haywood. In the role of A&R Manager Simon assisted in the making of albums for the aforementioned artists, liaised with Sony's international affiliates, traveling regularly to assist in setting up releases internationally. In this time several of the artists achieved Gold and Platinum albums.

After six years at Sony Music, Simon was head hunted by EMI/Virgin Australia to head the A&R department where he successfully brought to EMI such artists as Silverchair (via Eleven), Paul Mac (Eleven), The Sleepy Jackson, The Vines (via Engineroom) and Jet. Simon also worked with Paul Kelly on his platinum album, 'Nothing But A Dream' and Alex Lloyd on his triple platinum album 'Watching Angels Mend'. Again, much of Simon's time was spent overseas setting up releases through the EMI/Virgin affiliates which he successfully did for Alex Lloyd, Paul Kelly and The Sleepy Jackson in the UK, Europe and the US.

In late 2003 after 4 years at EMI/Virgin Australia, Simon accepted the position of Head Of A&R at Sony/ATV Music Publishing Australia. In this new role Simon was responsible for signing and/or working with artists including Angus And Julia Stone, Empire Of The Sun, The Hilltop Hoods, Daniel Johns, Delta Goodrem, Midnight Oil, Pete Murray, Little Birdy, Something For Kate, Brooke Fraser (NZ), Arcade Fire (US), Operator Please and The Midnight Juggernauts.