Talent Development Project

What do all these great artists have in common?

• Human Nature (Multi Aria Award winners and chart topping recording artists)
• Paulini (Number 1 hit Australian recording artist)
• John Foreman (Leading Musical Director , composer and TV host)
• Nathan Foley (Star of Network 9's award winning showHi 5)
• Emma Pask (Australian jazz star and recording artist)
• Felicity Urquhart (Award winning country music recording artist)
• Darren Coggan (Country music star, Golden Guitar winner)
• Travis Collins (Country music's hottest new recording artist)
• The McClymonts (Country music 2009 Golden Guitar winners)
• David Harris (Star of "Miss Saigon")
• Justin Smith (Lead in "Billy Elliott")
• Trevor Ashley ("Priscilla" lead artist and cabaret performer)
• Angus & Julia Stone (International recording artists)

They're all graduates of the Talent Development Project (TDP), Australia's most successful and respected entertainment industry training program. The TDP prepares young performers from NSW public schools for a careers in the music industry.

 

The Project is a joint initiative between the New South Wales Department of Education and Training and the entertainment industry.  Now in its 17th year, the Talent Development Project aims to give talented students the opportunity to extend and display their achievements in an exciting and professionally produced program.

 

The TDP provides talented young performers with unique entertainment industry and training and experience.

 

TDP discovers, develops and delivers the first steps towards a career for young Australian talent.

 

Leading names from the Australian music industry, together with TDP artistic and curriculum director Mary Lopez AM, use their experience to help young performers develop the skills they need to break into show business. Expert consultants come from all over the entertainment industry including record companies, A&R, artists management, law, business and PR.

 

Consultants include John Williamson, Caroline O'Connor, Les Gock, Col Joye Tommy Tycho, James Morrison, Emma Pask, Iva Davies, Peter Cousens, Melinda Schneider and Jackie Love just to name a few.

 

Taking the best and making them even better.

 

Up to 30 performers are selected through an intensive audition process. Less than half will make it through the year-long program of monthly master class workshops at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.

 

The TDP facilitates student performances at significant public and corporate events throughout the year. Further, the TDP provides and prepares the principal soloists for that famous showcase of NSW public education, the Schools Spectacular.

 

The TDP program concludes with an energy charged show and Graduation Ceremony at the Sydney Entertainment Centre in front of a VIP entertainment industry audience.

 

Reaching further

 

The TDP is extending its core program of workshops at the Sydney Entertainment Centre to reach more regional and indigenous performers than ever before.

 

A partnership with Vibe Australia has been linked in with Vibe's established 3on3 program and help discover promising indigenous talent.  A program of regional workshops is also being developed.

 

In 2006 TDP and ASCAP (American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers) initiated the "Bound for Broadway" scholarships for outstanding music theatre graduates.  Since then, five TDP performers have been awarded scholarships to New York City to be tutored by the cream of Broadway.  These graduates have also been given the opportunity to present showcase performances at a leading New York venue to influential audiences.

 

In 2008, TDP sponsor ClubsNSW gave TDP graduates valuable exposure and experience by making a number of top club venues available for a TDP touring show, which will continue in 2009.

 

Getting involved

 

Auditions are open to public school students from Years 10, 11, 12, or TAFE NSW for the core program (TAFE students must be under 19 years of age at the commencement of the course), and for students in Years 8, 9 and 10 as part of the TDP junior troupe. Only three core students and three junior students may be nominated from any one school or TAFE College. Performing Arts High Schools may nominate up to five students.

 

Nominations for 2009 are now open.  Information and the Nomination Form are available to download by using the link below.

 

2009 TDP Information and Nomination Form [.pdf 525 KB]

 

The closing date for 2009 nominations is Friday 3 April 2008

 

For more information about the Talent Development Project, please go to the TDP website www.talentdevelopmentproject.org.au or contact Robyn Philpot, TDP Project Co-ordinator/Manager by phone 02 9320 4245, by fax on 02 9320 4237, or by email at robyn@talentdevelopmentproject.org.au .