Jason Blume will be returning again for 2010 as will a number of our wonderful 2009 Faculty, and we have some new faces joining us for ASC 2010 too. The ASC is committed to a 1:5 ratio of Faculty and attendees - one Faculty pro for every five attendees.

More Faculty confirmations coming soon! Check out our past Faculty Speakers and Mentors [here] to see the callibre you can expect at ASC!

• SPEAKERS
  • Jason Blume
  • Alan Roy Scott
  • Shane Nicholson
  • Mia Fieldes
  • Di Torossian (Publishing)
  • David Rowley
    
    
• MENTORS
  • Ross Stagg
  • Toni Koch
  • Lyn Bowtell
  • Ritchie Neville
  • Sven Tydeman

• WORKSHOP PRESENTERS
  • Doreen Van Bree (Singing Workshop)
  • Andrea Szabo (Authentic Self Workshop)
    
    
• RECORDING STUDIO / PRODUCTION
  • Sean Rudd
  • Scott Cairns
    
    
• PUBLISHERS
  • Robert Case (Old Pants/New Pants Publishing)
  • David Rowley (Rowley Music)
  • List of publishers attending ASC 2010

Jason Blume

Key Note Speaker - Main Seminar Facilitator

Jason Blume is one of the few special people who smash the idea that ‘those who can - do, and those who can’t – teach’. Jason does both – exceptionally well.

Jason Blume is one of the few songwriters to ever achieve the distinction of having his songs on Billboard’s Pop, R&B, and Country charts - all at the same time. With his songs recorded by pop superstars Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys, and Jesse McCartney as well as country stars including Collin Raye, the Oak Ridge Boys and John Berry, Jason’s songs are included on albums that have sold more than 50 million copies!

One of the USA's most respected songwriting teachers, when he is not writing hits, Jason Blume teaches others how to do so. He developed and teaches the BMI Nashville Songwriters workshops and has taught his songwriting techniques as a guest lecturer at U.C.L.A. and Vanderbilt University, as well as a member of the faculty of Los Angeles' Pierce College, Nashville's Watkins Institute, and internationally in Norway, Ireland, Jamaica, Canada, and Mexico. His lessons are used by the Nashville Songwriters Associations members throughout the U.S. and internationally. For more information about Jason Blume, visit his website at www.jasonblume.com.

Yup. Here at the ASC, we’re pretty chuffed that Jason is facilitating the main seminars for the Australian Songwriters Conference. He is brilliant, funny, creative and riveting – he’s also an adrenalin junkie, so hang on to your seat and get ready for the ride of your life!

Alan Roy Scott

Speaker/Mentor

As a professional songwriter for over 30 years, Alan Roy Scott's songs have been recorded by Celine Dion, Luther Vandross, Notorious B.I.G., Gloria Estefan, Cyndi Lauper, Patti LaBelle, Neville Bros. Roberta Flack, Cher, El DeBarge, Tiffany, Patti Austin, The Spinners, Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Martin (Menudo), Anne Murray, Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton, and Ray Charles among many. His work also has been featured in Films and TV shows such as "Top Gun", "First Wives Club", "Coming To America", "Redline", "Karate Kid III", "Summer School", "Fame", "Fame/LA", "Santa Barbara", "Sons Of Anarchy", "Guiding Light", "Melrose Place", and "Beverly Hills 90210" among others.

He was an exclusive staff writer with EMI Music and Jobete Music (Motown) for a combined 11 years, having his own independent Kyushu Boy Music Publishing since 1990.

Alan attended the prestigious Boston Conservatory of Music majoring in Music Composition. He has won top prizes in the John Lennon Song Contest, The American Song Festival, and numerous awards in International Music Festivals around the world, competing as composer and/or artist, representing the USA in such diverse locales as Kazakhstan, Turkey, Romania, FYR Macedonia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia, Egypt, Finland, Holland, Ireland, Czech Republic, & Indonesia among others.

He has been a private songwriting coach for more than 10 years, and has taught classes and taken part in seminars domestically through UCLA Extension, Facts of Music, Songu.com, ASCAP, as well as the "Grammy-In-The-Schools" program for the Los Angeles Chapter of NARAS. Internationally, he has taught songwriting and music workshops in Australia (through APRA) , Ireland (through IMRO), and Denmark (through KODA) among others.

Additionally, as the founder of "Music Bridges", he has created many renowned songwriting collaboration events around the world, most notably "Music Speaks Louder Than Words" (USSR/1998), "Country & Eastern" (Romania/1994), "Pacific Harmony" (Indonesia/1995), "Celtic Harmony" (Ireland/1997), the controversial "Music Bridges...Over Troubled Waters" (Havana,Cuba/1999), and "Music Bridges/Expo 2000 as part of Expo 2000 (Hannover, Germany). Future "Music Bridges" events are planned for The Middle East, China, India, Peru, Jamaica, & South Africa.

>>> READ MORE

SHANE NICHOLSON

Speaker/Mentor

A native of Brisbane, Australia, singer/songwriter Shane Nicholson first gained public attention as the lead-singer/guitarist for the rock band Pretty Violet Stain. Interested in music from a young age, Nicholson formed the band while in high school and eventually they released their debut album Parachutes and Gravity on Warner in 2000. Ultimately, Shane parted ways with the band and released his debut solo album It's a Movie 2003 and this was followed by Faith and Science in 2006 – both albums received wide critical acclaim and a good measure of commercial success.

Shane had met Kasey Chambers when she sang some featured backing vocals on a couple of tracks on It’s a Movie and in time the two would marry and go on to record the highly acclaimed, number one album Rattlin’ Bones in 2008.

When touring commitments for Rattlin' Bones wound up Shane found himself back in his small home studio on the Central Coast of NSW.

Shane remembers how Familiar Ghosts came about; "I was working on finishing the songs, and my natural inclination when I'm doing that is to sit in the studio and press "play. And it was great fun, playing all the instruments myself, just like when I used to work on demos for my albums, putting things down for myself and anyone else who wants to hear them.”

Familiar Ghosts was released in late 2008 and further established Shane’s as one of Australia’s most prolific and respected singer / songwriters with the album being nominated in the Best Country category in the 2009 ARIA Awards.

As if writing, producing and playing all the instruments on his own album wasn’t enough Shane also managed to find the time to produce a range of artists including Angie Hart, Catherine Britt, Kevin Bennett, Lou Bradley and Sarah Humphreys over the past 18 months.

In the past music critics have been unanimous in their praise, many draw on names such as Bruce Springsteen and Neil Finn in an attempt to describe the depth of Shane’s songs and the extent his honest and emotional vocal delivery. However in recent times there is no doubt at all that Shane has created a unique musical place for himself.

With the balance of 2010 dedicated to writing and recording his 4th solo album, and one that will be eagerly awaited by the ever-growing legion of Shane Nicholson fans.

www.shanenicholson.com

MIA FIELDES

Speaker/Mentor

Mia Fieldes is a Christian Songwriter/Worship Leader from Hillsong Church, Sydney Australia, whose heart is to lead people to into a greater understanding of Jesus Christ.

She is committed to creating a culture of worship and a greater understanding of truth.

Mia's passion is to write songs that express the heart of the church and inspire people to pursue a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

While her focus is the local church, Mia also divides her time co-writing for many outside projects, and has written with various songwriters and artists including: Paul Baloche, Lincoln Brewster, Darlene Zschech, Kari Jobe, Ed Cash, Don Moen, The Desperation Band, Starfield, The Robbie Seay Band and Matt Maher for their respective projects.

SVEN TYDEMAN

Mentor/Publisher

Sven Tydeman is managing director of Kittygroove Productions a professional production / publishing / composition house catering hit songs & compositions to managers, record labels, music publishers and the media. Based in Sydney, Australia, our recording studio offers the latest in audio & digital technology.

As a producer, re-mixer, & composer Sven has worked with Josh Pyke (winner of 2 x Aria awards 2007), Tina Cousins, Robyn Loau (Girlfriend) Anthony Snape (Music Oz Artist of the Year 2006), Brielle Davis, Tiffani Wood (Bardot), Ursula Yovich (Film - Australia) amongst many others.

RELEASES
	Song	Artist
	Reason	Laura Raemakers (CNR Records / Belgium)
	She Devil	Robyn Loau (#2 AIR Charts / Australia)
	Take It Off	Brielle Davis (Top 10 Club hit Australia / Canada)
	Tu Me	Donnes Priscilla (Jive / France)
	Spin the Bottle	Tiffani Wood (#2 AIR Charts / Australia)
	Siren Stan	Van Samang (Top 20 Single / Belgium)

"Sven Tydeman is certainly a songwriter/producer to watch. His songs are made for mainstream radio. I think itís only a matter of time before he becomes a well known industry entity" - J.W. Johnson Senior VP Music Publishing Razor and Tie Entertainment

www.kittygroove.com

DOREEN VAN BREE

Workshop Presenter

Doreen was a professional singer for over thirty years and has been teaching the art of singing for some twenty years. Doreen will conduct Singing Workshops to help performing songwriters learn more about their vocal ‘instrument’ and how to use it to their best advantage for the long term. Doreen’s workshops are fun, interesting and educational, and all workshop participants will receive a free copy of her booklet “Basic Vocal Exercises For Singers”. Doreen is kindly making herself available at various times during the event as a Conference Mentor.

Born in Holland, Doreen studied classical piano and organ from a very early age, making her debut perfomance at the tender age of ten, playing Clemente's Sonata.

At the age of twelve, Doreen migrated to Austalia with her family, quickly becoming interested in the popular music of the day. During her high school years in Sydney, Doreen performed in many musical stage productions and was organist at St Joseph's Church Edgecliffe. She later moved to Gosford, on the Central Coast just north of Sydney, where she studied singing and formed her own rock 'n' roll band, playing piano and singing.

In 1961, Doreen entered the Miss Australia Quest and was crowned Miss NSW Charity Queen. Around the same time, Doreen made her first appearance on Australian television, on the popular music show "Brian Henderson's Bandstand". Doreen would appear on the show several times, even co-hosting at one point.

Doreen became a professional singer, performing in various clubs in Sydney and on the Central Coast. She began taking on singing students and her abilities as a gifted singing teacher started to become known.

Doreen's love of travel saw her travel around Australia, eventually settling in the northern New South Wales town of Murwillumbah where she was invited to be Musical Director in David Johnstone's musical, "Ghengis", with a cast of over one hundred performers and a fourteen-piece orchestra, which Doreen conducted.

Doreen taught singing at the nearby Tweed Music Academy and in her private studio at Murwillumbah for ten years. She also gained a diploma in Psychology before moving to Brisbane where she taught for a further four years.

Doreen moved back to the Central Coast in 2006 to be closer to family, where she continues to enjoy teaching her vocal techniques to a growing number of students at all levels, both locally and internationally.

Doreen's one hour workshop is designed to introduce non-singers to the art of singing and to give experienced singers a chance to learn something new and enjoy a good vocal workout.

Doreen will be explaining the various parts of the instrument within, and has designed breathing, as well as singing, exercises to strengthen the support system. This is vital for voice improvement and will 'tune' the vocal instrument as a result.

All you need to bring is enthusiasm and the willingness to learn. There will be time for individual attention and a Q&A session at the end of the workshop.

ANDREA SZABO

Workshop Presenter

Place of CREATIVITY: These workshops are intimate focused sessions that make up a 1hour component of the conference program. The sessions run concurrently to cover how, as writers/artistic creators, we can keep our selves moving forward in the pursuit of our creativity.

Andrea is committed to raising and equipping people by teaching them the principles of authenticity, valid cognition and motivation.

Andrea Szabo (B.A.P.A) is qualified with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Performing Arts and is a Certifies Hypnotherapist.She has worked on stage as actress, comedian and singer, with a released CD, for over 20 years. Now the Director of Zenith Productions Andrea also works as a venue consultant, wedding music agent and voice over talent. She has worked on Radio with her own show and has run workshops for over 10 years. She now concentrates on individuals wanting Personal Development with the self devised MANAWA METHOD, Personal Expression Coaching, Hypnosis and as a Vocal and Singing Coach. Through her workshops, she has initiated programs for many community groups and has obtained much Federal and Council Funding. She has a sound understanding of community issues, creative process, holistic health and metaphysics and, as an individual in the community, is highly respected as a reliable and professional operator.

More can be found at www.authenticself.com.au

Scott Cairns

Producer/Mentor

Scott has been involved in Music and Audio production for over 25 years. He has been awarded Australia's "Songwriter of the Year" and enjoyed a career as a singer/songwriter in the 90s. Scott was managed by Stuart Coupe (Paul Kelly, Hoodoo Gurus) and Bicci Henderson (Divinyls, Angels, Rose Tattoo).

In 2003, Scott moved into audio production for computer games. He has written music, produced sound effects and recorded voice actors for hundreds of titles including; Speed Racer (Warner Bros Entertainment), Stargate Sg-1 (MGM), Jackass (MTV), Gauntlet, Disney's Aladdin, Melbourne Cup Challenge and many more. He has appeared on the ABCs TV show "Good Game" and has done interviews for channels Nine, Seven and NBN as well as various radio interviews and press for The Herald and other news publications.

www.scottcairns.com

RITCHIE NEVILLE

Mentor

Ritchie Neville was a member of the band "Five". In their 5 years together the boys clocked up album sales of 20 million, had two sell out world tours and four number one albums. Five spent 25 weeks in the Top 10 of the US Billboard chart with his co-written song "When the lights go out", performed at Rock in Rio to over 250,000 people, teamed up and released "We will rock you" with the music legends "Queen" and their last single "Let's Dance" from the Album "Kingsize" spent weeks at number one.

Credits include:

• Grammy award winning Stargate
  • Beyonce Knowles, Ne-Yo, Lionel Richie
• Max Martin
  • Britney Spears, "Hit me baby one more time"
  • Kelly Clarkson's, "Since you been gone"
• Denniz Pop
  • Ace of Base
  • Backstreet Boys
• Anders Bagge
  • Celine Dion
  • Madonna
• Cutfather and Joe
  • Kylie Minogue
  • Christina Aguilera
• Eliot Kennedy
• Bryan Adams
• Spice Girls
• Delta Goodrem
• Biff Stannard
• Kylie Minogue
• Spice Girls.

ROSS STAGG

(B ContempMus,BEd,DipAE)
Mentor

Ross Stagg - A popular Mentor at the 2008 ASC, Ross is a full-time Teacher of Songwriting& Performance at TAFE Entertainment, Quakers Hill, Sydney. An A&R man at CBS Records London in the 70’s (before Sony) Ross went on to become a recording artist himself signing firstly to Pye Records as a solo artist and then to EMI UK as singer/writer for Strapps. The band released four albums with a fifth album ‘Strapps Live at the Rainbow Theatre London’ released internationally in Jan 2008. Ross has written across many styles and is currently working on his second musical “Fabulous Nobodies”. He specialises in teaching & mentoring new writers. Ross is brilliant, wise and funny, so grab any opportunity you can to spend time with this wonderful Conference Mentor.

TONI KOCH

Mentor

Toni Koch aka TK Promotions / Pitch-A-Song is a songwriter/artist who became a pioneer in the 1980's for guerrilla marketing techniques as well as street team coordination, online promotion/branding and artist development.

Toni is known for her creative results in "getting the word out" to gain exposure and appeal for her clients. She has worked as an independent promotion consultant or executive administrator with major companies including Evening Star Productions, Clear Channel Entertainment, Disney Publishing, Mattel, Kaiser Permanente, KABC/KLOS Radio and Electronic Arts.

In the 80's and 90's she worked with major record labels (CBS/Columbia/Epic Records, Warner Bros., MCA, RCA, etc.) to break out emerging artists including Sarah MacLachlan, Pat Benatar, Tina Turner, K.D. Lang, Bonnie Raitt, Melissa Etheridge, The Hooters, Men at Work, Midnight Oil, Berlin, The Tap Dogs, The Eurhythmics, Bangles, Chrissie Hynde & the Pretenders plus many more indie songwriters.

In 1985 she was awarded "Indie Promoter of the Year" in Phoenix by Soundboard magazine and in 1986 Toni received a platinum record from Columbia Records for club and radio promotion of the song "And We Danced" by The Hooters (Eric Bazilian and Rob Hyman.) In 1997 Toni was awarded an original lithograph of the "Lilith Fair" logo as one of only 18 promoters in the U.S. for her promotional support of the first ever women's music oriented tour.

Toni was awarded "Indie Manager of the Year in 2003" by the Indie Music Conference (IMC) in Philadelphia for consistent work done in support of Australia artist gilli moon gaining exposure in the U.S. with indie artist showcases, touring across North America to create a buzz and helping to build Songsalive!, a songwriter organization founded in Australia but now worldwide. Toni will acknowledge she was surprised at the "manager" title but most would agree that's exactly what she does - help manage artists to move forward in their careers.

Based in Los Angeles, CA and Phoenix, AZ, Toni still works as a consultant with emerging songwriters and composers to secure "placement" for their music with "Pitch-A-Song", an ongoing series of international panel presentations designed in an effort to provide music makers a vehicle to expose their songwriting to professionals in the new music business. An advocate for the artist or author or entrepreneur, she will continue to blaze trails for increasing revenue streams for those who work with her.

Toni is currently spending a lot of time as Media Relations for COSMO, the Coalition of Songwriters & Music Organizations based in Southern California, www.cosmocoalition.org and is grateful for a full life being surrounded by art, music and such talented people - especially her new friends here at the ASC!

For more information about Toni visit:

• www.myspace.com/tonik
• www.myspace.com/pitchasong
• and Facebook.

LYN BOWTELL

Mentor

Lyn Bowtell is an accomplished singer/songwriter, two time Golden Guitar winner with trio 'Bella' (2004 & 2005), Toyota Star Maker winner (1997), APRA Awards finalist (2007). She has written with industry legends such as Janis Ian, Phil Buckle, Jerry Salley, Gina Jeffreys, Beccy Cole & Rod McCormack to name a few, recorded with such idols as Jimmy Barnes & Troy Cassar-Daley, released two independent solo albums since her Star Maker win and recorded 'Gravity' with 'Bella', released on Sony/BMG.

Bowtell has toured through Europe and Australia with fellow band members Kate Ballantyne and Karen O'Shea, Asia with James Blundell, and up and down the East Coast of Australia and South Australia.

2009 sees Lyn concentrating on recording her third solo album, with her focus set on 2010 independent release. The album is shaping up to be self-penned, introspective folk/country with a 'live' feel, encompassing the vocal and lyrical sincerity we've come to expect from her. The project will enlist the production skills of long-term band member and friend Sean Rudd. The album will have an “organic”, soulful feel and will be recorded at Peppertone Studios, in the legendary 301 studios in Sydney.

Originating from Toowoomba Queensland, Lyn now resides in Maitland NSW, where she gigs weekly, teaches singing, studies Music at Newcastle University & Conservatorium of Music, and creates her original ‘gems’ at home - at any waking hour!

• http://www.myspace.com/lynbowtell

ROBERT CASE

Publisher/Mentor

Robert A. Case, President of New Pants Publishing, Inc. (ASCAP) Old Pants Publishing, Inc. (BMI)and New Pants Music, (SESAC) is a graduate of the Colorado Institute of Art, Denver, Colorado in the USA with an Associate’s Degree in Business with an emphasis in Music and Video Business. He completed studies at Community College of Denver in Business Administration and Marketing. Mr. Case’s songwriter's songs have appeared in TV shows placements including Lions Gate Pictures, CW Network, Discovery Channel, A&E, Fox Sports, NBC, CBS/VHI/Universal HD show Love Monkey, One Life to Live on ABC Daytime, the Soap Network and South Park on Comedy Central in the US and Internationally in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. Mr. Case and companies are proud members of ASCAP, BMI, SESAC, ACM-Academy of Country Music, The Recording Academy (Grammy), NATPE-National Association of Television Program Executives, The Association of Independent Music Publishers, Los Angeles Women in Music Assoc, Gospel Music Assoc. CMA Country Music Association, Nashville Songwriter Association International, National Association Of Music Education, Colorado Film and Video Association, the Music Teachers National Association and Associate member of the American Bar Association. Mr. Case received the Small Business Administration award in Washington, DC in 2002.

Mr. Case has appeared Internationally and Nationally on several music panels and workshops as a speaker including:

• Lebanon Valley College Music Industry Conference, Lebanon, PA
• Albright College, Reading, PA
• William Patterson University; New Jersey
• Cape May Songwriter Conference; Cape May
• Cutting Edge Music Conference, New Orleans
• Los Angeles Women in Music, www.lawim.com
• Film/TV Independent Music Panel, Los Angeles
• The Australian Songwriters Conference, Ettalong Beach, NSW, Australia
• Songs Alive, www.songsalive.org
• Music Publishing Chapter Workshops
  • Sydney, Australia
  • Las Vegas
  • Austin, Texas
  • Huntsville, AL
  • Los Angeles
• The SongNet, www.TheSongnet.org
• Music Publishing Workshops, Los Angeles
• Pitch-A-Song Industry Panel, Los Angeles
• The Taxi Road Rally, Los Angeles
• The Dallas Songwriters Association A&R Workshop
• Atlantis Music Conference
• Vegas Music Conference
• Dewey Beach Music Conference
• The Millennium Music Conference
• The Global Entertainment Summit
  • Los Angeles
  • New York
• CMJ Music Marathon, New York
• The Independent Music Conference, Philadelphia
• Publishing Panel
  • Dallas IMC Publishing Panel
  • West Virginia IMC Publishing Panel
  • Los Angeles IMC Publishing Panel
  • The Indianapolis Music Conference, Publishing Panel
• The Indy Sessions Radio Panel, Los Angeles
• The Crossroads Music Conference - Independent Label Panel and Booking & Touring Career Development Panel Memphis
• Hyperactive Music Conference
• Durango Songwriters Expo Film/TV/Music Panel.

www.newpants.com
www.oldpants.com
www.facebook.com/people/Robert-Case/1542405591

DAVID ROWLEY

Publisher/Mentor/Speaker

In 1984 David Rowley left a promising career in journalism and moved to London from Sydney, Australia, thus starting a 25 year long career in the music business and causing his parents heartbreak.

Since then he's lived in four different countries (the UK, Denmark, Sweden and now ≠ after a 24 year long hiatus - Australia again) and during that time has been a Countdon Magazine's London correspondent, a professional musician with a UK record deal, label executive, label owner, publisher and consultant (sometimes all at the same time).

Most of the past decade has been spent specialising in and working closely with writer/producers and the placement of songs with third parties, first as co-owner of Air Chrysalis Denmark, then as head of A & R at Air Chrysalis Scandinavia in Stockholm, Sweden and then later as consultant for a bunch of different publishers such as Stage Three, Chrysalis UK, US and Scandinavia, Denise Rich Songs. Shapiro Bernstein and now as owner of Rowley Music.

In a good year David places around 100 tunes around the planet and has the signing and placement of songs on many millions of records to his credit.

When not travelling the world seeking song placement opportunities, hooking up co-writes, pitching songs and deseminating information to writers and publishers, David likes to kick back with a piccolo and gaze blankly out over Rushcutters Bay Park. He is married with one son, who he's desperately discouraging from a future in music, though it seems to be a losing battle.

rowleymusic.com

Peer Music - Matthew Donlevy

Shock Music Publishing - Peter Paterson

Hillsong Publishing - Steve McPherson

Rowley Music - David Rowley

Lizard Tunes - Lisa Fiene

www.copycarepacific.com.au

Old Pants Publishing & New Pants Publishing (Colorado USA) - Robert Case

Kittygroove Productions - Sven Tydeman

Copycare Pacific - Lisa Fiene