"AIM was the place that gave me enough flexibility to learn the way I wanted and find the performer I wanted to be, with enough pressure to keep me on my toes and make sure I improved every week". - Toby Francis: Bachelor of Music, Music Theatre - Winner of the Annual Cabaret Showcase for 2010 - Recently appeared in Neglected Musicals, “My Favourite Year”.

SING - ACT - DANCE - CREATE

The Music Theatre Department of the Australian Institute of Music is a vibrant, noisy, energetic and exciting collective of the industry’s next wave of talent.

The Music Theatre department is committed to developing the student’s understanding of the broader arena of music theatre. Students are skilled in the three disciplines of singing, dancing and acting and are also taught skills which will enable them to be work creators. All studies are focused on developing students who have an understanding of creating new works, production and performance.

The Music Theatre student has chosen to study at the Institute primarily because of the emphasis on the music in theatre. They come from many areas of skill development. The singer will come to embrace the music culture at the Institute, the dancer and the actor to find their singing voice. Students at the Institute bring a rich diversity of purpose.  

Music Theatre students develop the ear of a musician, the body awareness of a dancer, the imagination of an actor, the vision of a director and the fortitude of a producer.

Practical Skill Development
Skill development is tested when the student is required to show what they have learned in the performance arena. All units of study are practical in terms of value adding to the performance experience. All teachers in the Music Theatre department are working industry practitioners who provide professional, relevant, innovative and supportive instruction to our students

Structure of the Performance Courses
Performance is the main focus of the department. The underlying approach is that creating numerous performance opportunities will build the confidence and skill level required of students wishing to make a career in music theatre both real and rewarding.
 
Major Study
Every week during their course students will attend a one hour private voice class, a half hour private coaching class ( repertoire coach; accompanist) and a two hour Master class with a group of up to 15 singers. Students have the opportunity to develop their singing in the one on one situation and to refine vocal performance in the group Master Class. 

Performance Studies
Students regularly perform works selected from Music Theatre repertoire from the 1920's till now. Students perform excerpts from Music Theatre works with stylistic appropriateness. Musical styles include musical comedy, rock opera and contemporary Music Theatre. Students are encouraged to create their own cabaret performances and short musicals. Students also have the opportunity to work in a variety of vocal ensemble groups.

Ensemble
Music Theatre is about telling a story and the making of music together. Students attend a two hour Ensemble Class each week to develop the art of ensemble singing. The Institute produces a major Musical each year and students will be involved in rehearsals for these productions facilitated by additional Ensemble classes.

Dance and Acting classes are an integral part of the development of the Music Theatre performer. Students at the Institute will attend a two hour dance class each week to develop technical skill and a two hour weekly choreography class. Acting, as an essential in story telling via song and as a craft unto itself, is an integral part of the Music Theatre course. Students attend a two hour technical class and two hours of text based study each week.

Foundation and Critical Studies
All Music Theatre students undertake these units of study which are designed to develop musicianship. The foundation studies units focus on aural training, music theory and music history. Critical Studies explores in detail particular musical styles in relation to aural, music theory and music history.

Other Performing Opportunities
As the Institute is entirely connected to today’s Music Industry and is dedicated to encouraging future practitioners in the industry, students are offered a wide range of performance experiences which include; Musicals, Ensemble Concerts, Plays at the Pilgrim Theatre, Lunchtime Concerts and Showcase Performances.

Undergraduate Awards
Diploma of Music
Bachelor of Music (Music Theatre)

Graduate Awards
Students who wish to pursue study at a Post Graduate level would benefit from the unique structure at the Institute which offers a network of departments providing support in areas such as theatre production, arts management and music recording

Jennifer Murphy : Head of Music Theatre.
Jennifer came to prominence in 1980 when she was cast by Broadway director Harold Prince in the lead role of the Australian premiere performance of “Evita”. Her career has been a featured story on “Sixty Minutes” and has been listed in The Australian Book of Lists as one of Australia’s best female vocalists.  Jennifer has directed and performed in shows Australia wide and overseas for the past 30 years.

Along with her position as Head of Music Theatre at AIM, Jennifer is currently Artistic Director of the Catholic Schools Performing Arts unit (CaSPA), Jennifer is also a voice and performance coach for television, film and theatre productions in Australia and overseas. Recently Jennifer was voice coach and music consultant on the feature films “Razzle Dazzle” and “Thunderstruck” and performance coach for channel 9’s “Starstruck”.

Jennifer with her husband Spud Murphy  (Musical Director “Priscilla” and “Dusty”)  are a team dedicated to maintaining a vibrant Industry. 

Her connection to the performing arts, from nurturing emerging talent in schools to developing talent at AIM in preparation for a career in the Industry, has proven to be the most rewarding episode in her professional journey thus far.     

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