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FReeZACentral and The Push will deliver free music industry career workshops to young people throughout Victoria in August 2009.

Experienced trainers will come together with established professionals from the industry including Michael Crafter (Confessions, I Killed the Prom Queen, Mistake Clothing), Bonnie Dalton (Lunatic Entertainment) and Emma Wiking (BNM Records) to provide young people with an introduction to working in the music industry.

Workshop presenters will cover song-writing, performance, sound engineering, recording, technical production, event and tour management, music business, band management, media, communications, marketing and publicity.

Guest speakers will discuss whatâ€Ââ„¢s involved in these positions as well as career opportunities available in these sectors.

Michael Crafter is singer for local hardcore band Confessions, former singer for I Killed the Prom Queen, and manager for Mistake Clothing.

Bonnie Dalton manages Melbourne band Little Red, is also a key part of Lunatic Entertainment (Gotye, Clare Bowditch) and the Laneway Festival, and formerly worked with The Falls Festival and The Vasco Era.

Emma Wiking formerly worked at Rubber Records and now owns and runs BNM Records.

Young people aged 15-25 are eligible to attend but must register by going to www.freezacentral.vic.gov.au to download a registration form, or for more info call The Push on 03 9380 1277.

FReeZACentral, a Victorian Government initiative funded by the Department of Planning and Community Development, as part of Victoria Rocks program, and managed by The Push. In addition to the annual workshop program, FReeZACentral includes an annual mentoring program, where 50 young people (18-25) are mentored by music industry professionals over 6-8 months and organise a tour and CD release. To be eligible for the mentoring program, young people must attend at least one of the forthcoming FReeZACentral workshops. Applications for the 2009/2010 program are open now until 11 November 2009. For more info head to www.freezacentral.vic.gov.au

Mon 3 Aug – Latrobe Performing Arts Centre, Traralgon (cnr Grey & Breed St) 5.45-8.30pm
Tue 11 Aug – COPAC, Civic Hall, Colac (cnr Rae & Gellibrand St) 5.45-8.30pm
Wed 19 Aug – Civic Centre, Wodonga (Hovell St) 5.45-8.30pm
Wed 26 Aug – Nexus Youth Centre, Horsham (14 Pynsent St) 5.45-8.30pm
Thu 27 Aug – ICU, Castlemaine Basement (1 Halford St) 5.45-8.30pm