ONE of the Mornington Peninsula’s newer residents, musician, songwriter, TV presenter and musical director Phil Ceberano, has opened a band performance program for local teenagers who want to develop their skills.
Over the next two weekends, Rock Academy Peninsula will give young people the opportunity to work directly with touring and recording musicians to develop songwriting and performance skills.
As well as working extensively with his sister, Kate Ceberano, Phil has a strong background in the industry, having formed and played in many bands including well known Melbourne club band Sexual Chocolate (87-93) and Trentwood, Phil’s original power rock trio that toured throughout Australia (2001-2005), playing over 400 gigs in four years. He’s also worked as a composer and session player on music for film and television, plays in his own band the Phil Ceberano Band, and is a motivational speaker and MC who has spoken in more than 500 schools since 1997.
Ceberano said he wanted to offer peninsula teenagers the opportunity to make connections with other like-minded musicians and aspiring musicians, in an environment where they would be supported to write, rehearse, record and perform music.
Ceberano has been running the Rock Academy programs in Richmond for eight years, but has recently moved his life and family to the peninsula, where he has many industry connections.
“This program is all about connectivity, putting the Covid trauma behind us and showing young people the importance of collaboration and industry support,” he said.
Ceberano said the program is open to peninsula-based musician aged 12-18 who want to write, rehearse, record, and perform music in an inclusive environment.
“They will make the creative decisions and have the freedom to choose the songs they want to play and then showcase those skills on stage,” he said.
Rock Academy Peninsula will run over two consecutive weekends from Friday March 24 to the live show at God’s Kitchen bandroom in Mornington on Sunday, April 2.
For details go to therockacademy.com.au/peninsula/
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 March 2023
