Meet Our Team

  • Brett Wood

    Principal & Co-Founder
    Applied Business and Media Teacher

    “I teach because I enjoy unlocking the potential in young people. To witness the growth and development of the students I work with is my greatest reward.”

    Brett has over thirty years of experience working with young people. His skill and knowledge has been honed across the education and community youth sectors. This provides him with a unique understanding of the educational and personal needs of young people. He established Music Industry College when he saw the magnetic power that music has to engage disenfranchised young people. Brett is the Managing Director of Music Industry Community Services, the parent body of the College and Starving Kids, and has overseen all projects undertaken by both organisations since their inception. He has a passion for mentoring young people and helping them achieve their potential in their field of choice. He is most proud of the achievements of his students and cannot wait to see what they do next.

  • Roslyn Wood

    Business Manager & Co-Founder

    Ros has over 35 years administrative experience and co-founded Music Industry Community Services with Brett in 2008. She has spent her time creating systems and policies for the school and project managed the construction/redevelopment of the new school facility in Berwick Street plus other capital projects over the past 14 years. Ros holds a Diploma of Business Administration. She has a passion for seeing young people leave MIC at the end of their two year journey being happier, healthier and ready to take on what life throws at them.

  • Kristin Fergusson

    Senior Teacher
    General & Applied Maths Teacher

    “I teach because it’s completely unpredictable and fun. I love watching students come alive as they start on the path of finding out who they are.”

    Kristin combines her two great passions–Music and Maths–at MIC. She has a rich history of playing in local Brisbane bands since 1989 and is currently enjoying gigging in her latest project, the spooky-surf-western band The Double Happiness. Kristin is a multi-instrumentalist with a keen interest in writing soundtrack music. Kristin has been teaching Maths at a variety of levels in Queensland schools since 1991. She is dedicated to building students' confidence in Maths by demonstrating its relevance to both the Music Industry and everyday life.

  • Charles Dugan

    General, Extension & Applied Music and Cert III Music (Sound Production) Teacher

    “I teach because I want to help young people develop enthusiasm and the skills for learning.”

    Charles has spent the better part of his life as a performing and recording musician.  He has a BMus(hons1) from the Queensland Conservatorium of Music and a DipEd from QUT.  He has performed in New York, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and at the Sydney Opera House.  As part of the indie pop/rock band, The Boat People, he has released 3 full length albums and several EPs, played with acts such as David Byrne and The Shins and performed live on Triple J, ABC Radio National, MTV and legendary Los Angeles radio station KCRW.

  • Craig Burnett

    General, Applied & Extension Music and Drama Teacher

    “As a teacher at MIC I get the privilege and challenge of encountering diverse young people who are discovering what they can do when a community believes in and resources them. My job is to bring my enthusiasm, skills and authentic self to that community.”

    Craig has worked in the Music and Creative Industries for 30 years in performing and entertaining, event and media design and technical production. This has given him experience with diverse aspects of the Industry which he is able to offer students as he looks to connect with their emerging passions and capacity. He continues to perform as the longstanding frontman of the celebrated jazz ensemble Scat as well as taking on freelance creative projects.

  • Sam Grace

    Film TV & New Media, Philosophy, Applied Media and Diploma Teacher

    “I have a passion for helping young adults discover their abilities through the creative arts.”

    Sam started his working life as a sound engineer and producer at Psi-Fi studios after completing a Bachelor in Music Production at QUT. He later became a youth worker in flexible learning centres in Brisbane and Melbourne as the lead music educator while completing a Master in Teaching. During this time he has produced and toured multiple albums and EPs with his two acts The Optimen and Bankrupt Billionaires. He joined MIC at the start of 2019 and feels right at home mentoring and learning from young artists.

  • Kristen Sayers

    Essential English, Visual Art & Visual Art in Practice Teacher

    “I teach because I love seeing young people discover and grow their interests, skills, talents and identity. There is a huge fulfillment in seeing people empowered to do things they didn’t know they were capable of, and it’s a joy and privilege to be part of that journey with them.”

    Kristen completed a Bachelor of Visual Art from the Queensland College of Art and a Bachelor of Secondary Education majoring in English in 2005. She has taught English and Visual Art in various Queensland schools, and completed post graduate studies in Education from the University of Southern Queensland in 2018. She has delivered Art workshops for various ages from kindergarten children through to adults, and is passionate about developing creativity and artistic skills in others. Kristen enjoys painting, drawing and printmaking and finding new methods and materials for utilising traditional techniques.

  • James Beavis

    General English Teacher

    James has a Bachelor of Education and Arts in Journalism and began teaching after meeting some inspiring young people and teachers as a journalist. He also performs as a singer/songwriter in various acts that embrace Americana-influenced music and is a gun-for-hire as a harmonica player. As artist/manager/video clip director James has a DIY approach to the music industry. His journalism experience aids the students in running the Starving Kids blog and in his spare time he writes and drinks gourmet coffee.

  • Mel Kirk

    Student Support Officer

    “I'm a Student Support Officer because helping is in my nature. Sometimes there is so much going on that concentrating on school work can be hard for students. I'm the person to help students overcome the difficulties and guide them so that they can continue to concentrate on their education at MIC.”

    Mel joined MIC in 2017 after 11 years working with children in foster care. She has also previously worked as a Youth Support Coordinator in high schools in Logan. Mel has a Bachelor of Arts (Education Major) and a Bachelor of Social Work.

  • Denise Wake

    Career VET Coordinator

    “As an educator for over 40 years, my main focus has always been to empower young people to succeed in life and choose a career that they are passionate about. I am passionate about music and creating a healthy work-life balance so this position is like a dream come true."

    Prior to taking early retirement in 2016, to pursue her creative interests in music and painting, Denise was a Mathematics and VET Information Technology teacher and Year Advisor at Coffs Harbour Senior College. She also coordinated a school Talent Quest and Staff Band as a way of encouraging students to feel more connected to the school and gain more confidence in their creative abilities whilst also completing the NSW Higher School Certificate.

    Denise returned to the workforce in 2022 as a Work Readiness Officer for Year 11 and 12 students who were disengaged from mainstream schooling. And now she is excited about utilising her vast experience to assist students at the MIC to achieve their QCE in an environment which supports their passion for the music and creative industries.

  • Stephanie Taylor

    Admin Officer - Finance

    Dedicated and passionate about music, education and mentoring young people, Stephanie Taylor (she/her) has forged a successful career across the last sixteen years working as a professional singer, voice teacher, university lecturer and business owner. Having held various roles in the music industry and education sector, she is also a well known vocalist in the Brisbane jazz and festival music scene. Outside of her work at MIC, Stephanie is currently a Voice Teacher and the Co-Ordinator of Contemporary and Jazz Voice, Open Conservatorium at the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, having worked in this role since 2012. Stephanie runs a private studio business for voice lessons, teacher training and artist mentoring in Teneriffe working with touring recording artists, gigging musicians and professional actors. Stephanie has been fortunate to travel numerous times to New York to study with esteemed voice teachers and Grammy Award winning artists and has completed Somatic VoiceworkTM Levels I, II, III at Baldwin Wallace University, Ohio. Stephanie is a proud alumni and graduate of the Queensland Conservatorium, Griffith University, holding a M.Mus.St., Grad.Dip.Mus.St. and B.Mus (QCGU.) She is excited to join the MIC team to provide administrative support to the staff, students and school community.

  • Ally Ryan

    Admin Officer - Systems

    Ally joined us in 2022 as our new Admin Officer, supporting the Business Manager with the ever-growing tasks required for the running of a school.  She is a valued addition to our team.

  • India Wallis

    Operations Manager - Starving Kids

    “Music is my language and the air I breathe. I want to share my passion with the likeminded next generation of musicians so they gain the skills and the confidence to achieve their goals.”

    Graduating MIC with a diploma of Music Industry in 2016, India is a multi-instrumentalist, touring musician, and head of MIC’s student and staff-run music label Starving Kids. From assistance in navigating the industry as a young person, putting on live music events, to creating a music release plan, running PR campaigns, and more, India mentors current students and MIC alumni in their music career goals.

  • Cody Wood

    Admin Officer - Design

    Cody has a Bachelor of Design majoring in Visual Communication Design from Griffith University, Queensland College of Art. Cody works part-time to produce MIC and Starving Kids design and web content. She does freelance illustration on her days away from MIC.

  • Tina Swanson

    Admin Support Officer

    Tina is a parent of two MIC graduates, who has 12 years experience in schools and is passionate about MIC and its culture. Tina works alongside Nicole to assist students with questions and enquiries at Reception. Tina is on campus on Thursday and Friday each week.

  • Kieran Stevenson

    Admin Support Officer