Bundaberg’s Mark Lavender will be among the 28 rising music artists studying at The Academy in Tamworth in January 2023.
Running from 3 to 12 January, the course heralds the countdown to the popular Tamworth Country Music Festival.
Known for his love of country music, Mark Lavender has tailored his career path as a performing musician, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.
He said he was proud to be part of The Academy, looking forward to growing as an artist and continuing to learn.
“As a professional musician full time since a young age, I have always known that my path in music has always been the right one for me as my passion for song writing and sharing that with an audience is what gets me onto that stage every night,” Mark said.
“Being part of the college is an honour as I will get to enjoy and be present and learn from a knowledgeable collective.
“As an artist I always feel the way we grow is through having a yarn, watching others work and listening to other interpretations of songs and originals.
“Being able to spend two weeks with other talented individuals and mentors, I know that I will take away the next piece of the puzzle…or the next verse in my song.”
Mark said it had been his dream to be part of The Academy for many years and, now that it was a reality, he was excited to learn from some of the best in the business.
“Throughout the two week window I will be sharing the experience with artists who range from 18 to 61 years of age with loads of skills I will definitely learn something from.
“The participants range from all over Australia and we will be coached and mentored daily by the best of the best from, Kevin Bennett, Melody Moko, Mickey Pye, Liam Kennedy-Clark and co-ordinated by Lyn Bowtell and Roger Corbett.
“From these greats we will be learning skills in music business, musical performance, song writing, promotion and recording.
“All of these aspects we dabble in as artists but the skill of our craft is more than the words we write and tunes we play, it’s also the other things that happen behind the curtain that no-one sees.”
Mark said he was excited for the opportunity to attend The Academy and, as anyone who knew him would say, he was all about relationships and connecting with people.
“As someone who has worked in bands my whole life, I always love to see what each artist brings to a band and how you can keep your own flair but somehow can make it work – I love the originality that everyone brings to a group and how that challenges you as an artist and how other artists challenge you,” he said.
“For me it's about finding those opportunities for me to reflect and challenge myself.
“Listening and learning on how to make a successful and long-lasting career, while meeting the needs of the ever-changing audience, but staying true to your craft is the hopeful advice I wish to learn from the mentors.”
Mark is a well-known musician in the Bundaberg Region, and is a regular on the pub circuit as a solo artist as well as through the band Knee Deep.
He also performs at local events including the Childers Festival and is set to entertain the crowd, alongside country greats such as Adam Brand and Lee Kernaghan, at Lighthouse Country 2023 in Burnett Heads.
Find out more about Mark Lavender here.
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