Horizons brought together young people from across regional NSW who were interested in becoming professionals in the music industry. These two groups were led by mentors Leisha Jungalwallah and Vendulka Wichita and met up in person on separate occasions. Both were able to experience live music gigs together on their first night before visiting established recording studios to talk to producers and use professional equipment. Both groups even found time to create together through writing exercises and composition.

This film shares the insights and experiences of our young participants who were mentored by Leisha Jungalwallah, professional musician and band member of “This Way North”. Leisha provided guidance and advice about navigating the music industry throughout the duration of the Horizons program.

Music Group 1

Leisha’s close-knit group of songwriters and music makers came together over two days, beginning with an evening at the Lazy Bones Lounge in Marrickville. There, they attended a live music showcase by students from Marrickville TAFE, enjoying a wide range of musical styles and talents. It was also an inspiring opportunity for the participants to see potential educational pathways in the music industry.

The following day was packed with musical experiences. The group visited Golden Retriever recording studios, where founder Simon Berckelman offered a behind-the-scenes look at professional music production. They explored various recording rooms, learned about the equipment used to produce tracks, and even got hands-on experience experimenting with instruments, synthesizers, and vocals in a space shared by notable Australian artists like Meg Mac, the Dune Rats, and Courtney Barnett.

In the afternoon, the group headed to the APRA AMCOS song writing rooms to collaborate with mentor Leisha Jungalwalla. Together, they explored song writing and poetry techniques, crafting lyrics and sharing creative ideas. The day wrapped up with a fun and relaxed karaoke session—an enjoyable end to a vibrant and inspiring experience.

Music Group 2

On the first evening of their meetup, the Horizons participants travelled from across New South Wales to gather in Sydney, meeting each other and their mentor, Vendulka Wichta, in person for the very first time. That night, the group attended a live gig where Vendulka performed as the headline act under her stage name, Aya Yves — an inspiring and memorable introduction to their creative journey together.

The following morning, the young artists met for breakfast, taking the opportunity to bond over shared musical tastes and personal experiences. They then headed to Tilt Recording Studio, where they were guided by Vendulka and producer Jordan Leonard through the process of writing and recording a song in a professional, collaborative environment. By the end of the day, the group had created a powerful original track, which they titled “Black Sheep.”

Music Showcase

Music Group 1

From Left to Right: Leisha Jungalwalla, Klancie Freebody, Marlo Gaukroger (Standing), Ziggy Marin (Seated), Simon Berckelman, Delilah Cross

Music Group 2

From Left to Right: Lochlann O’Duibhir, Narelle Vogel (seated at back), Vendulka Wichta (seated at front), Jack Fuller (Seated at back), Diya Bhengra, Jordan Leonard

Short Film Director/DOP: Andrew Robinson

Short Film Producer: Hiromi Matsuoka

Photography: Fabian Pertzel