Mount Cotton resident Andrea Smith, 61, doesn’t work for the recognition but it is nice when it happens. And even better when it comes in threes.
A music business educator for the past 30 years, Andrea has had some recent successes, as winner of a Queensland Overseas Foundation bursary, as a regional finalist in the 2023 Queensland Training awards and as a finalist for the Humanitarian 2023 award Australian Women in Music.
“I don’t know who nominated me. It has been really surprising and quite overwhelming,” she said.
Andrea said it was particularly rare for someone ‘behind the scenes’ to be recognised in this way.
“We are the people who make it happen for everyone else,” she said.
Andrea works as a vocational music business teacher at the Queensland College of Music and also has her own company Applause Genie providing mentoring and education, writing grant applications for artists, managing bands, running venues and holding seminars and conferences for musicians.
“It’s about industry connections. I work hard on my network and try to make opportunities for students – volunteer opportunities and work in the industry,” she said.
Andrea said she believed it was this sort of work that might have gained her a nomination in the training awards.
She said there were three vital elements for success in the music industry and these were ability, stage craft and business acumen.
“The importance of business in this area cannot be underestimated. It makes me happy that this side of the industry is being recognised,” she said.
Andrea is married to guitarist and songwriter Doug Ford of Master’s Apprentices.
