Students explore careers in the entertainment industry

On Friday, October 23, 2009, 300 Grade 11 and 12 students in Rainbow Schools will get a front row seat on career opportunities in the entertainment industry when they participate in music industry panel discussions and observe live performances. Facilitated by Metalworks Institute in Toronto, this event will take place from 10 am to 1 pm at the Sheridan Auditorium at Sudbury Secondary School.

“The arts and culture industry is filled with creative people who followed their dreams and turned their passions into paid professions,” says Ralph McIntosh, Arts Educator Co-ordinator for Rainbow District School Board. 

He added: “Students with an interest in music, drama, theatre, dance, media arts, communications technology, and business studies will get a unique behind the scenes look at post-secondary training programs and career opportunities in this exciting field. This event will bring together some of Canada’s leading experts in audio, lighting, staging, live events, film, radio, communications, management and more.”

A panel of industry experts made up of Alex Andronache, Mike Large and John Hartman will explore the vast array of career opportunities available in the world of entertainment. In addition, the Canadian band TRIXX will perform live.

Alex Andronache

A 35-year veteran of the music industry, Andronache promoted his first sold-out concert at Massey Hall by the age of sixteen. He first got involved in live sound at the annual Mariposa Folk Festival in Ontario. He learned on the job while mixing artists Bruce Cockburn, Steve Goodman, and John Prine. Within a year, he started his own sound company, touring with Valdy, Keith Jarrett and Hank Snow.

Alex Andronache started working for Canada’s biggest concert promoter Concert Productions International in the 1970s, headed up by the now famous entrepreneur Michael Cohl. He produced shows with Pink Floyd, The Rolling Stones, Genesis, Supertramp, Kiss, Yes, The Bee Gees, Joe Cocker, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Dionne Warwick, Sha Na Na, Jose Feliciano, and many others.

He joined Canadian power trio Triumph as their tour manager at the start of their meteoric rise to stardom and was asked to manage their brand new recording studio, Metalworks. After two decades of guiding Metalworks’ growth into the largest, most successful, Canadian recording facility, he created the first successful, full-service producer management company in Canada.

Mike Large

Mike Large is the Outreach Services Director of Music and Film in Motion (MFM). Large has worked in Northern Ontario’s music industry for over 15 years. During his time with MFM, he has also developed a deep appreciation for the intricacies of the film and television production industry.

One of his main responsibilities is consulting with music and film industry personnel on their projects and careers. This happens through a variety of means, but essentially, the end result is to help make project and career development an easier prospect for the industry in Northern Ontario.

Through his position at MFM, Large has developed a growing network of music and film industry professionals, helping to bridge the gap between the two industries in Northern Ontario and the rest of the country.

John Hartman

John Hartman of Icedrum Media Ltd. has been involved with audio/video productions in Sudbury since the early 80s. Hartman has produced over 30 CDs and has directed a variety of video projects including five Much Music videos ranging from hip-hop to heavy metal to pop-rock. Shot in Hollywood, Hartman’s second music video "Respect Me" garnered him a nomination for Best Rap Video at the 1992 Much Music Video Awards. In 2003, Hartman was awarded MFM’s Best Film Editor Award for his work on the rock documentary "Anglophobes".

Trixx

Trixx is an all original female-fronted band that has a sound unlike no other band today. The lead singer is Jessica Crowe, a graduate of Sudbury Secondary School’s Arts Education Program. Their unique blend of influences combine to produce music that is modern and original, but still reminiscent of an older and almost "forgotten" rock sound. This young band has managed to blend soulful vocals and heavy instrumentation in a clever way that captures fans of all music styles, from heavy metal to country music. Trixx has undeniable talent in writing, performing, and entertaining an audience. They have an unmistakable and authentic live energy that can only be appreciated by catching one of their live performance.

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Media Contact:

Ralph McIntosh, Arts Education Coordinator,

Rainbow District School Board, 705.674.7551, ext. 6850