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Jamal Salem

Drum Kit

What do you teach at the Con?

Drum Kit

What genres do you teach?

I teach jazz, rock, pop, metal, funk, punk, Afro-Cuban, Brazilian, hip-hop, soul, reggae, country, folk, blues, big band, fusion, electronic, and beyond!

What is it that you love about teaching music – particularly at Wollongong Conservatorium?

I love witnessing students’ “light bulb” moments and discovering how each individual learns best. Being a support and guide as students navigate their musical journey is incredibly rewarding. Teaching at Wollongong Conservatorium is particularly special to me because I studied here as a child through the ChiME program, which still thrives today.

Sharing my experiences in touring, recording, composing, and teaching with a new generation of Illawarra musicians feels full-circle and truly surreal. I’m deeply honoured and grateful for this opportunity.

Please share a particular career highlight and why it’s special to you.

Between January and March 2020, I had the profound opportunity to perform as part of the opening act for Sir Elton John’s “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” Australian tour. Over the course of 12 outdoor concerts from Coffs Harbour to Melbourne, I played drums for Sydney-based songwriter Tate Sheridan alongside bassist Matt Nightingale. Night after night, watching Elton and his band perform from the side of the stage was a true masterclass in musicianship, professionalism, and humanity. That tour serves as a powerful reminder that consistent effort toward something you believe in can lead to extraordinary outcomes.

“Luck is where preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca

What’s one piece of music that you’d recommend people listen to?

It’s hard to pick just one, but I’d recommend “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” by Elton John. I listened to it every morning and night during the Elton John tour using noise-cancelling headphones with my eyes closed. I love the simplicity of the drumming, which isn’t easy to achieve, and the overall floating, ethereal feeling of the music. Every listen gives me a magical sense of beauty and awe. Make sure to experience it fully by listening from start to finish with complete focus.

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Wollongong Conservatorium is located on Dharawal country. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Owners of Country throughout Australia. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging, celebrate their continuing culture and the contribution First Nations people make to the life of this region and our country.

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Wollongong Conservatorium of Music is funded by the NSW Government through the Regional Conservatorium Grants Program

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Dr Sue Savage

Director

Sue is an accomplished and seasoned manager with a wealth of experience in government administration and community service delivery. With a strong background in strategic planning, organisational development, community engagement, project planning, and building strategic partnerships, Sue has consistently demonstrated her leadership and expertise and brings a wealth of knowledge to the board. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Business focusing on Local Government and Creative Industries from the University of Wollongong, reflecting her commitment to public service and innovative leadership. Sue’s extensive career and dedication to community and social service make her a valuable asset, offering both strategic insight and practical experience to drive meaningful impact.

Anne Mowbray

Director

Anne has been a member of the Wollcon Board since 2019. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from UNSW. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law and an accredited Mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. She has taught family law and other subjects at Wollongong University.

For a number of years she has been a subscriber to the Australian Chamber Orchestra which regularly performs in Wollongong . She has been passionate about music and in particular music education to children and adults.

Jake Pearson

Director

Jake has worked in the disability sector for 24 years- 17 of these with Interchange and 7 years as their CEO. Jake is passionate about inclusion and equality for both people with disability and their carers.

He holds an MBA, Bachelor of Commerce, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, as well as completing Diploma’s in Case Management, Community Services Coordination and the AICD Company Directors Course.

Jake is also a committee member on the International Short Breaks Association Board and has been a Director on the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music Board since 2022.

Wayne Morris

Director

Wayne is a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors as well as being a qualified company secretary and accountant with over 35 years experience in banking and finance. He performed for nine of those years as Chief Executive of IMB Ltd, and the preceding seven years as Company Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, also with IMB. Wayne’s primary expertise is in the areas of governance, management, accounting, risk management and banking and finance. He has spent his whole life living in the Illawarra and is passionate about ensuring the Illawarra can provide the best possible opportunities and lifestyle for its residents. In 2024 Wayne was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to the community.

Dr Terumi Narushima

Deputy Chair

Dr Terumi Narushima is a senior lecturer and Music Discipline Leader at the University of Wollongong. She is a composer, performer and sound designer specialising in microtonal tuning systems. Her works include Tritriadic Chimes, a sound installation for LA MicroFest, Hidden Sidetracks, a composition for custom-made instruments premiered by Ensemble Offspring at Sydney Opera House, and a project to build microtonal flutes using 3D printing. She has worked on theatre collaborations which have been presented nationally and internationally, including Yasukichi Murakami: Through a Distant Lens, Lost in Shanghai, and The Story of Chi. She performs with microtonal ensemble Clocks and Clouds, and her book Microtonality and the Tuning Systems of Erv Wilson is published by Routledge.

Nicky Sloan

Chair

Nicky is the CEO of Community Industry Group. She has degrees in Dementia Care, Community & Environment and Marketing, and a Grad Dip in Project Management. She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Honorary Fellow of UOW. In addition to Chairing the WollCon Board, she is Deputy Chair of the Regional Development Australia Illawarra Shoalhaven Board and an Independent Non-Executive Director of Warrigal, a large not-for-profit specialising in the provision of services for older people.

Her corporate governance and strategy experience extends through a 20+ year career on boards in the corporate, government and NFP sectors.