MENTORS & WORKSHOPS

Dean has been a professional musician for 25 years, having performed all over Australia’s East Coast and achieving a Bachelor of Contemporary Music under guitar maestro Jim Kelly. His career has included live radio and national television appearances, as well as being part of the opening act for touring artists such as The Black Sorrows, The Radiators and Johnny Diesel – and performing on the same bill as many international artists including Suzi Quattro and a career highlight supporting Tom Jones at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

He has many years’ experience as a guitar tutor and has been with Youth Music Venture since its inception, mentoring young musicians on the Gold Coast and now Veterans in the Veterans Music Venture.

Bryce has had a great love of music his entire life and learning to play guitar at age 10 sparked a life-long love affair with music. He entered the Youth Music Venture in 2012 as a young musician, looking to expand his horizons within the music scene. In the program he gained a greater appreciation for the value of collaboration in music performance and composition, sparking a desire to share his knowledge of music with others.

Bryce returned to join the Youth Music Venture team as a mentor from 2016. He has provided his expertise as a qualified teacher, across all aspects of performance, music theory and musicianship. Currently Music Teacher at Pacific Pines State High School!

Born Isaac but named Izzy once a guitar came into his hands. Started playing guitar when he was 12, tutored for 5 years (Guitar) and then studied music up to his last year at High School receiving a commendation for music from his involvement with the school brass band, as well as the school electric rock band. With this rock band it grew Izzy's passion for live music "we got to play to a guaranteed 500+ crowd, that was a big buzz for us small Towner's". The band he played for made the Regional Finals 3 years in a row at a band competition run within the High Schools that was run once a year.

In 2007 Izzy started teaching in his own studio and enjoyed sharing his passion with others. Come 2011, Izzy moved to Australia and has been and still is, involved with the local jam scene, played at the Gold Coast show, playing in bands, and writing and recording his own music, teaching after work hours and constantly studying music. A valued Youth Music Venture mentor for several years now.

Lissy Stanton [AKA Melissa Black] is an amazing keyboard player, songwriter and recording artist and has worked and collaborated with artists such as Jimmy Duke-Yonge (Pirana, Bullamakanka, Slim Dusty), Geordie Leach (Rose Tattoo), Phil Eizenberg (The Ferretts), Rod Coe (Producer and Bass Player for Slim Dusty) and Matt Taylor (Chain). Another long term invaluable Youth Music Venture mentor!

Another long term invaluable Youth Music Venture mentor!

Zilla is a proud mother of two children and has a massive passion for music in many genres. She has been teaching guitar and ukulele for many years, including three years with the Taupo School of Music in New Zealand. She owns and runs FlipSide Guitar School and loves teaching music and believes you are never too old to learn something new.

Zilla enjoys spending time with her kids, surfing, swimming, writing, making music, travelling, and embracing every adventure. She is proud and excited to be part of the Gold Coast’s Youth Music Venture, now in Tweed.

Matt Aitchison is a musician with over 25 years experience as a performer, producer and DJ. From humble beginnings busking on the streets of Melbourne, he has forged an international career with many artists, most notably globetrotting world-music group Oka.

Matt’s working experience and understanding of the Australian and International music industry have served him well. As well as being a consummate musician and performer, Matt’s foray into music management reaped great rewards for a young artist named Kim Churchill, who has gone on to great success at home and internationally. Youth Music Venture is privileged to have him on board as a Mentor for the kids.

Griffin joined Youth Music Venture at age 11 and by age 13, by then a multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, joined as a junior mentor.
He has also volunteered for years as a music mentor at the Currumbin Primary School and Palm Beach Currumbin State High School [PBC].

He is an amazing young man who just loves giving back and helping others, a great assistance to the Senior Mentors.

Cody Leenders and his brother have been through the program a number of times and he wanted to give back and help the Senior Mentors as best he could.

What a great role model for the young musicians he helps the Senior Mentors with!