About Inspire Music

Our story

Inspire Music grew out of the realisation that young musicians thrive from the energy and affirmation offered by large, friendly audiences.  For us, large is 80+. We observed that people love discovering and listening to our next-generation artists.  We learnt that many in the community struggle to attend concerts at night and/or cannot afford them, yet are drawn to live music and connecting through shared experiences. 

We identified the gaps: a lack of concerts that offer a progression path for pre-professional and young artists, and a lack of high-quality concerts accessible to all.  Our mission is to address this gap by creating performance opportunities, building audiences and making events accessible.  Our mission is underpinned by increasing research that shows music, especially live music, contributes to the well-being of both audiences and performers.   

We partner with venues and music organisations that share our values, helping us deliver free concerts, entry by donation, or for a fee, accessible to most in our community.  

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Every performance tells a story

Not just of the music, but of the people who make it possible. Inspire Music nurtures the next generation of musicians, providing mentorship, performance opportunities and encouragement to create new work. Each concert presents an opportunity for emerging artists to grow, share the joy of music and inspire their audiences.

Our concerts bring together people of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. They are inclusive spaces where audiences share a memorable experience, supported by carers, families, and community allies who help make attendance possible for everyone.

Young woman playing the flute during a musical performance, with a black background and music stand in front.

Behind every performance is a dedicated team of musicians, educators and arts advocates working alongside these supporters to champion artistic excellence, foster creativity and build a vibrant, connected community. Together, we ensure live music thrives – for artists, audiences and the next generation of talent.

A young man and a young woman in formal attire posing with a grand piano in a church or hall with stained glass windows, Christmas tree, and decorations.
Learn about our artists

Our Team

  • Felicity Woodhill

    BaLLB

    Returning from the US after serving on the Board of Music for Youth, Connecticut (2017-2021), Felicity was committed to nurturing young musicians by increasing paid performance opportunities. 

    Her vision: to create accessible concerts for the community, inviting audiences to discover, experience, and support exceptional young artists. Felicity's background in law, combined with her Montessori education, informs her approach to mentoring young artists and building inclusive audiences.

  • David Apolo

    Bcom (Acc)

    As a founding Director of Inspire Music, David brings financial expertise, business strategies, and foresight, all of which are invaluable for a start-up not-for-profit. David resigned as a partner at KPMG in 2024 after a distinguished 23-year career and is now the Chief Investment Officer and Group Treasurer of CGP Equity. 

    He has been a Board Member and Treasurer of i3net Illawarra Innovative Industry Network, since 2018 and and chairs the Salvation Army’s Illawarra Business Appeal Committee a role he has held since 1 July 2009.

  • Jessica Z. Gnata

    Bcom (Mktg), DipBus(Acc), DipTraingDes&Devlpmnt

    Joining the Inspire Music Board in 2024, Jessica brings extensive experience in business, Rotary, and leadership. After a successful career at Telstra and 30 years of community volunteering, she is pursuing a BA (psychology and language) at the University of Wollongong for lifelong education and skill diversification.

    Inspired by an Inspire Music concert and her dedication to youth, her focused energy and practical approach significantly aid management and program delivery.

Supporters and Fundraisers

Inspire Music fosters collaborations with venues, music associations, radio stations and people who share our vision of embedding live music in communities to enrich our culture.  Once a year, we work as a team to stage Music4 Medicine, which both raises money for a medical cause and provides a larger performance opportunity for emerging artists to perform alongside legendary Australian musicians. 

At the core of what we do is the recognition that artists need to be paid, whatever the event.  Our supporters —from audience members who donate at the concert door to larger donors, volunteers, and venue partners —empower us to deliver music to the community that is accessible to all while ensuring artists receive fair payment.  

  • I feel it is a privilege to share the Emerging Concert Artist Series (ECAS) with the community. Each month, it is such joy to share the concert at the Wollongong Art Gallery with family, friends and new people.

    Even little ones, under 5 years old, enjoy the events. Every concert remains a surprise each month, as the musicians come from different national and cultural backgrounds, play various musical instruments, and choose from diverse composers and pieces of music. So each month your experiences and feelings may be different.

    Overall, it is a lasting feeling of joy that we come away with. Friends have made comments after the concerts, such as “it was such a beautiful, inspiring, uplifting, musical experience. One dear friend mentioned, ‘Now I know there is heaven. The music took me there this morning”.

    Micheline Devet

    Regular attendee and self-appointed promoter who shares concert information

  • Inspire Music Australia’s Music and Tea program plays a vital role in supporting emerging concert artists by providing a welcoming platform to perform and connect with new audiences. 

    Held monthly at Wollongong Art Gallery, this free program enriches the cultural life of our community, offering audiences of all ages and abilities a gentle pause for reflection, connection and appreciation. 

    Set against the inspiring backdrop of our exhibitions, it’s a beautiful way to experience art–not just visually, but sonically and socially. 

    Daniel Cummingham Moodie

    Director, Wollongong Art Gallery

  • Having worked with Inspire Music Australia on multiple projects, I can say they deliver in every sense. They don’t just talk about supporting emerging musicians... they create the pathways, the opportunities and the experiences that actually make a difference. 

    Felicity Woodhill and her team bring heart, community focus and a professionalism that inspires confidence. For artists and audiences alike, working with Inspire Music is both a privilege and a joy.

    Adam Stokeld
    Writer Advocate
    Previously Station Manager Highlands FM107.1

  • I've been involved in volunteering since my teens. At the end of the first EA concert, I offered my services as a volunteer, and thankfully, Felicity accepted.

    I actually feel privileged to be involved in a very small way with the development of such amazingly talented artists. My motto, "Smile and the world smiles with you", hopefully makes the audience feel welcome and helps relax the youngsters ahead of their performance.

    I agree that volunteers are "People who see that something needs doing, and just get in and do it, all to make the world a little better and a little brighter for everyone" 

    Diane Greenaway
    Olympic volunteer
    Front of house manager at the Music & Tea Concerts at Wollongong Art Gallery

  • As a disability service provider, we are passionate about encouraging people from all backgrounds to be included in our community and have access to all opportunities...

    The event location, timing, provision of morning tea, and free entry were all incorporated by the organisers to maximize inclusivity and break down barriers.

    Sara Peden

    CRAM Foundation 2023

  • As a musicology student at the University of Sydney, working and volunteering with Inspire Music is an immensely rewarding experience. It provides me with an in-depth understanding of concert preparation and planning, enhancing my appreciation of the music. 

    My work often takes me to other Illawarra-based performances; combined with the ECAS, these concerts expand my access to live music. 

    Hearing a diversity of music and performers broadens my knowledge of musical genres and forms, directly benefiting my university studies. Ultimately, working with Inspire fosters connections within our local music community and deepens my engagement with classical music. 

    Eve Gnata
    Production Assistant, Music and Tea at Wollongong Art Gallery,
    Promotional Assistant ECAS

  • Médecins Sans Frontières Australia is grateful for the incredible support Inspire Music offers through their Music4Medicine Fundraisers. The three concerts organised for MSF, to date, have raised vital funds that help us provide lifesaving medical care to people in crisis around the world. Additionally, the concerts raise awareness about the work of Médecins Sans Frontières.

    We’re deeply appreciative of Inspire Music’s ongoing commitment to the well-being of all people, especially those in urgent need of care and the outstanding young musicians, mentor artists and volunteers who bring these events to life. 

    Marit Visserman
    Community Fundraising Manager, Médecins Sans Frontières

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