1. WORKSHOP IMMERSION VIDEOS (2019, 2020)

Andrew Stone, 2023 AAM Manager of the year, CEO Chugg Music

Attending The Seed was THE most important and formative week of my early career. I was able to ask all the questions I had about the business (but was too afraid to ask) and formed close relationships with peers and experienced managers. It gave me the confidence to pursue management as a career and I retain lifelong friends, tools, and knowledge from that week.  

Rowan Brand 2008

Elana Stone 2009 ”I found the whole experience to be completely invaluable and amazing. Thank you so much" 

Ngaiire Joseph 2009 "Thank you guys, for creating something that's only bringing our community closer together. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of such a ridiculously amazing 3 days." 

Andrew Stone 2010 this is more than just a workshop, it has taught me spirit and reason that we manage artists and how to live a life in this industry 

Melinda Kerwin 2010 - everything I've learnt, the people I've met and contacts I've made are more valuable than any $ grant could be, this workshop has changed my life in so many ways

Nicole BZ 2011 (former executive chair of AAM)- The Seed lived up to every expectation – mind blowing, inspirational, new family, etc. I am so honoured to have been chosen and even luckier still to have survived. 

Sam Buckingham 2011 - Thank you to all involved, a truly valuable and beautiful experience. 

Anthony Zaccaria 2012 - The passion and drive from everyone who participated in The Seed (speakers & facilitators included!) was inspiring The whole workshop has had an immediate impact on me as a manager and the careers of my acts. It was a humbling and enlightening experience and one that I refer to weekly.

Matt Blachard 2012 - The Seed management workshop more than lives up to the name, it's an action packed 3 days of cultivating ideas and refining skills. As a manager I have benefited immensly from the experience and couldn't recommend it more. Now it's time to fertilize my artist's with these new tools and watch their careers grow.

Mike Solo 2012 - Thank you to The Seed crew for an absolutely inspirational and humbling experience. I was blown away by the time and effort provided to educate and guide us. The quality of discussion was outstanding and cut straight to the issues we face in trying to develop our favourite artists and share them with the world - on top of that, we were given the opportunity for one-on-one time with an incredible range of the most respected people in the music industry, to ask our own burning questions. One of the best experiences of my life and one I will never forget.

Monique Rothstein 2012 - The Seed workshop was one of the most pivotal, important and defining moments of my career in the music industry. The combination of well-selected participants, inspiring and generous speakers and facilitators created the optimal space for taking everything up a notch.

Nadeena Dixon 2012 - Big thanks to The Seed Fund. As an emerging Indigenous cultural arts and music manager, I gained access to powerful skills and knowledge from a fantastic panel of music industry experts. The workshop has confirmed my belief that Indigenous music has a strong contribution in its ability to add to the richness and diversity of the Australian music industry.

Scott Mesiti 2012 - The Seed has changed the way I look at managing my acts and I would encourage young managers to apply. Not only did it give me many tools for my business in the future, it injected a new found spirit and sense of community in what can be a lonely profession. I will be forever grateful for this opportunity.

Amali Ward 2014 "The Seed Fund Management Workshop was one of the best things I've ever done. Not only did it cover pretty much every aspect of the music industry relevant to managers/self managed artists in just a few days, it did so in a relaxed, supportive environment of peers, unlike any other industry event I've ever been to."

Jess Beston 2014 "The Seed Workshop was incredible. To be given the opportunity to take three full days away from our hectic and busy lives and careers, to truly delve so deeply into our practice, and speak so honestly about our day to day experience as managers, (such a unique and complex job and world that we find ourselves in), was such an extraordinary gift. The generosity of the Seed Team, in giving so much of their time and energy every single year, on a project whose sole goal is to make our industry BETTER and to arm young managers with the tools to help them thrive, absolutely BLOWS ME AWAY."

Vanessa Picken 2014"The Seed has created a hub of acceptance, empowerment, knowledge, guidance, nurturing and above all community. Being exposed to the world of The Seed has not only benefited my artist, his career, my career as his manager but also creates a world where the Australian industry comes together for the love and good of music. I am thankful, I am grateful and I am above all excited to take my learnings from The Seed to become a better manager, ambassador for the arts and to spread the goodwill that the Seed has given me."

Fanny Lumsden 2015 "I feel completely empowered by the experience and ready to action everything that applies to me. Thank you everyone involved and for having faith that I can use the knowledge to make and share music into the future and to build a broader community around it."

Luke Girgis 2015 "I feel extremely blessed to have attended such a special workshop. It was extremely informative and valuable to me and the my artists will now benefit tremendously from the skills and knowledge I have aquired via The Seed. Thank you to everyone involved!"

Melody Forghani 2015 "The Seed workshop was a great space to collaboratively learn alongside like-minded artists and managers. The content was extensive and the workshops were detailed and enriching. Having the opportunity to connect with the presenters was also invaluable."

Eva Trifonas 2016 “The Seed program exceeded all of my expectations. This was the most valuable experience I’ve had to date and I will keep the knowledge I gained for the rest of my management career.”

Gabrielle Huber 2016 “Knowledge is power. In the isolation of being a self-managed artist, one can become completely disenfranchised from the loneliness of forging your own path. The entire Seed team delivered a safe space to inspire, and bestow their message to us, one of hard work, passion and experience. I left The Seed feeling recharged and empowered to move forward.”

Louise Sawilejskij 2016 “The Seed is such an extremely unique industry workshop – not only is it an intensive informative program and networking opportunity, but it also connects other artist managers/self managed artists, all in a similar career stage, to network and support each other through the remainder of their careers – a rare gem in what can be a lonely, and sometimes confusing industry. Dan and John have obviously build this altruistic program out of love, commitment and their drive to help other artists and their managers. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this program.”

Patrick Davies 2016 “This course absolutely delivered the goods. The topics covered were broad and detailed, and the panellists were all subject matter experts. This was exactly what I believe everyone in the room needed, and has left a very inspired and committed group of young individuals ready to make their own mark on the world.”

Udaravi Widanapathirana 2019 "The Seed [Future Makers] Workshop transformed me like no other program had before - the environment they created evoked a sense of hope that knowledge or accolades cannot provide." 

Vyvienne Abla 2019

Imbar Nassir 2020 THe workshop certainly did change the direction of my life. It triggered one of the biggest transformations I've experienced to date. Complete priority shifting, core-value shaking stuff. A sort of divine-purpose/life questioning I've never experienced before, and I am grateful for that. Imbar Nassi, Imbi, 2020.

6. ALUMNI MENTORS BIOS

FANNY LUMSDEN

Growing up on a sheep farm in western NSW all the way to Glastonbury UK via hundreds of Country Halls throughout regional Australia, 2x ARIA and 9x Golden Guitar, 3x AIR award winning artist Fanny Lumsden’s journey has been a unique one.  Having “established herself as one of the one of the genre's most esteemed performers” (The Australian) and with her new album HEY DAWN having just taken out the 2023 ARIA for Best Country Album, the CMAA Golden Guitar for Alt-Country Album of the Year and 2024 Country Album of the year at the AIR Awards, Fanny is a force to be reckoned with.  Debuting at #1 on the Australian Album ARIA charts, being the 4th highest selling country album of 2023 and being her second album in a row to crack the ARIA global top ten. Fanny is continuing to break the rules and confirm herself as “undoubtedly the brightest new (country) star of the current era” (Capital News).

Following up her “breakthrough” album Fallow which took out the ARIA, five CMAA Golden Guitars and the AIR Country Albums, Fanny is known for her regional Country Halls Tour and has recently taken her joyous, energetic, and brilliant live show to debut in the UK to a packed Avalon Stage at Glastonbury and followed up with two hugely successful tours, including a self-produced and promoted sold out Country Halls Tour run in Scotland.  Wrapping up her Hey Dawn tour which sold out shows through NZ, Ireland, UK and theatres across Australia, and “confirms Fanny as a distinctive storyteller, and an indelible personality who can win over fans in or outside of country music” (Doug Wallan, The Australian).  

AMBER JEAN HATTON

Amber Jean has over 15 years of experience in the music industry, specialising in artist management, music programming, marketing, and event production.

Amber has managed Siobhan Cotchin for over five years, with a track record of successful releases, radio play, playlisting, and national tours - including an arena tour across Australia with Matchbox Twenty and the Goo Goo Dolls.

Alongside artist management, Amber has a deep passion for curating live music experiences. She has programmed and booked for venues and festivals such as Mojos Bar, Falls Festival (local stage), Liberty Alive, Freo Folk Fest, Fringe World, and more, delivering everything from intimate gigs to large-scale events.

Now, as Head of Programming and Marketing at Honky Tonk Blues, Amber brings her love for live music and a sharp eye for detail to every project. With hands-on experience as a tour manager and artist liaison across Australia, she’s skilled at managing logistics while keeping the focus on the music.

Amber is dedicated to creating spaces where live music thrives, with diversity and inclusivity at the heart of everything she does.

BEATRICE LEWIS

Electronic music producer Beatrice is one of Australia’s most exciting multifaceted artists. As a songwriter, performer, and producer for the electrifying dance act Haiku Hands, she has gained international recognition. She is also a songwriter and producer for the award-winning indigenous band Kardajala Kirridarra, blending contemporary electronic music with traditional indigenous themes. Beatrice's solo career is flourishing, with recent achievements including composing the music for Ableton 12’s global release campaign and creating an Ableton Made in Live breakdown video of her release “A New Lake.” She’s also featured on an Insomniac compilation of female producers worldwide.

Beatrice has been recognized with the 2019 APRA’s Personal Development award in Dance/Electronic and has performed at major festivals like Pitch and MONA FOMA. Haiku Hands has toured Europe and the US, and received praise from Vogue, Clash, BBC Radio 1, and Beats 1.

As a solo artist, Beatrice has collaborated with industry pioneers like Suzanne Ciani and Just Blaze and supported artists such as Jon Hopkins and Vegyn. Over the past eight years, she has been an advocate for indigenous women's music, conducting workshops and composing for projects that highlight indigenous culture. Beatrice’s work with Kardajala Kirridarra earned the 2017 Folk Song of the Year at MusicNT and “album of the week” honors at several major Australian radio stations.

JERRY POON

Jerry Poon aka JPS is a prominent figure in Melbourne’s music and arts scene. With a passion for underground sounds and cultural diversity, JPS has made significant contributions as a DJ, producer, promoter, and curator.

Beginning his journey in the early 2000s, JPS quickly established himself as a key player in the Australian electronic music landscape.

As the founder and visionary behind The Operatives, a collective that unites musicians, tours, and the infamous Espionage events, he spearheads a movement that elevates electronic music across Australia to unparalleled heights. The renowned collective, events platform, record label, management, design and consulting company that has consistently pushed boundaries and championed forward-thinking music across genres like hip-hop, bass, future beats, and experimental sounds. The Operatives offer a clandestine world of awe-inspiring live performances, accompanied by mind-bending visuals, all tucked away in secretive locations scattered throughout the city. The Operatives consistently brings groundbreaking artists that Australian audiences have never before witnessed to their shores.

Beyond his work as a curator, Jerry is also the Partner/director for Let Them Eat Cake and The DOT Music Festivals. He leads a management team including artists Jordan Dennis, Silentjay, Billy Davis and more.

With his unwavering dedication to pushing boundaries and nurturing artistic talent, Jerry continues to leave an indelible mark on Australia’s vibrant music and arts community..