CDU’s Arts Academy to nurture NT’s brightest musicians as new lecturer comes on board

Vincent Perry once busked on the streets of Queensland to pay his TAFE tuition but now is an accomplished percussionist with Darwin Symphony Orchestra and bringing his skills to the classroom as Charles Darwin University’s (CDU) new Lecturer in Contemporary Music.

Dr Perry, who grew up in Southeast Queensland, is passionate about music-making. He has a particular love of soul music and vintage music gear, including vintage drum kits, and has spent many years as a drummer in a wedding band.

After studying music at TAFE Dr Perry went on to complete a PhD before finding his passion for teaching and has spent the past 10 years in the tertiary education sector teaching the history of music and nurturing young musicians.

“I am passionate about music. I feel like I am a young guy with an old soul who is obsessed with vintage gear and technostalgia,” Dr Perry said.  

“I really love teaching, and seeing how passionate students are makes me work harder to ensure that they successfully contribute to and maintain the quality of the Darwin music scene.”

Since moving to Darwin around six months ago, Dr Perry has joined Darwin Symphony Orchestra as a percussionist, plays in multiple bands and is a supporter of the Darwin music scene, which he said is unlike any other city.

“Darwin as a music scene certainly punches above its weight considering how small a city it is. There is such a high calibre of musicians and everyone is so multi-talented,” Dr Perry said.

Dr Perry’s appointment as Lecturer in Contemporary Music, comes as CDU’s Academy of the Arts revamps its CUA30920 Certificate III in Music and CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music to encourage more students to study music at CDU. 

As part of the revamp CDU has recently updated its music computer labs with Apple computers and up-to-date software so that students can work with programs such as Logic Pro and GarageBand.

In the CUA30920 Certificate III in Music and CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music students will learn a range of skills including performance music and how to write and create songs. Students will also learn about the music business and industry in the Northern Territory and Australia.

“Through our Certificates in music, we provide strong training and mentoring for our students so that they can successfully enter the Territory and indeed the Australian or international music scene and be the next generation of talent,” Dr Perry said.  

“For many decades CDU has had a legacy of being a hub for Territory musicians. With our smaller student numbers we can give our students a lot more one-on-one face time and are able to tailor study options for individual students,” Dr Perry said.

CDU’s Academy of the Arts Director Dr Amanda Morris said she was thrilled to welcome Dr Perry to CDU and looked forward to welcoming more music students to campus.

“CDU’s Academy of the Arts is looking to be a creative hub in the Territory for students to learn about music and create music of their own. We develop each student’s unique musical potential, so that when they graduate they are already independent music artists, ready to work in the industry and forge successful careers,” Dr Morris said.

“Having such an experienced and dedicated teacher and musician in Vincent, along with our highly valued Lecturer in Vocal Studies Paolo Fabris, is really beneficial for our students as they are learning from musicians who are experienced and currently engaged with the industry.”

“CDU is a supportive environment for students to study music and work on their craft and we encourage anyone with an interest in studying music to come to CDU,” she said.    

More information on CDU’s Academy of the Arts music courses can be found here CUA30920 Certificate III in Music and CUA40920 Certificate IV in Music.