• Human Nature - Multi Aria Award winners and chart topping recording artists
• Paulini - Number 1 hit Australian recording artist
• John Foreman - Leading Musical Director, composer and TV host
• Emma Pask - Australian jazz star and recording artist
• Felicity Urquhart - Award winning country music recording artist
• Darren Coggan - Golden Guitar winner, recording artist and actor
• Travis Collins - Country music's hottest new recording talent
• The McClymonts - Country music 2009 Golden Guitar winners
• David Harris – Music theatre star
• Amanda Harrison - Star of 'Wicked'
• Trevor Ashley - cabaret performer and star of "Priscilla the Musical"
• Angus and Julia Stone – International chart topping contemporary duo
They're all graduates of the Talent Development Project (TDP), Australia's most successful and respected entertainment industry training program. The TDP prepares young performers from NSW Public Schools for a careers in the music industry.
The TDP provides talented young performers with unique entertainment industry training and experience
TDP discovers, develops and opens the doors towards a career for young Australian talent.
Leading names from the Australian music industry, together with TDP artistic and curriculum director Mary Lopez AM, use their experience to help young performers develop the skills they need to break into show business. Expert consultants come from all over the entertainment industry, including record companies, A&R, artist management, law, business, and PR.
Consultants include John Williamson, Caroline O'Connor, Les Gock, Col Joye, Tommy Tycho, James Morrison, Emma Pask, Iva Davies, Peter Cousens, Melinda Schneider and Jackie Love to name just a few.
Taking the best and making them even better
Up to 30 performers are selected through an intensive audition process. Less than half that number will make it through the year-long program of monthly master class workshops at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.
The TDP facilitates student performances at significant public and corporate events throughout the year. Further, the TDP provides and prepares the principal soloists for that renowned showcase of NSW public education, the Schools Spectacular.
The TDP program concludes with an energy charged show and Graduation Ceremony at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in front of a VIP entertainment industry audience.
Reaching further
The TDP is extending its core program of workshops at the Sydney Entertainment Centre to reach more regional and indigenous performers than ever before.
A partnership with Vibe Australia has been formed to link in with Vibe's established 3 on 3 program and help discover promising indigenous talent. A program of regional workshops is also being developed.
In 2006 TDP and ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) initiated the 'Bound for Broadway' scholarships for outstanding music theatre graduates. Since then, ten TDP performers have been awarded scholarships to New York City to be tutored by the cream of Broadway. These graduates have also been given the opportunity to present showcase performances at a leading New York venue to influential audiences.
TDP sponsor ClubsNSW, continues to give TDP graduates valuable exposure and experience by making a number of top club venues available for TDP performers.