Program Leader
As well as being the head of Music Production at Collarts, Tommy Rando is a chart-topping Australian performer, producer, singer-songwriter and composer. Tommy’s unique voice and impressive guitar skills have seen him work alongside some of Australia’s best and the finest international acts.
Tommy’s early education came from a scholarship grant to study at the National Guitar Summer Workshop New York USA, where he studied with Jazz virtuoso John Scofield, Robben Ford, Lenny Stern and Ernie Jackson (James Brown).
Tommy has also been accepted globally, having toured the USA and UK with his debut album Winter Sky and follow-up hit, Signature. After being spotted at South by Southwest music festival (Austin Texas) by music great Seymour Stein (Warner music.), Tommy went on to tour the UK where he met his future mentor, John Reid (Elton John/Queen manager), and proceeded to sign a record deal with All Terrain Music Universal Group. In 2012 Tommy went on to work alongside producer Mark Ronson and toured France with UK sensation Paulo Nutini. In 2010 Tommy Rando released his debut EP ‘Signature’ which he performed live in the UK on BBC Radio 2 (Jo Whiley). Back in Australia, two songs from the EP received high rotation on radio stations Mix and Light FM. Tommy has also written and produced songs for Vanessa Amorosi, Australian Idol artists Lee Harding, Anthony Callea, Casey Donavan and UK Pop Idol artist Kirsty Crawford. His songs can also be frequently heard on the Australian television production Neighbours. In 2004 Tommy co-wrote the song Wasabi’ hit number one on the Australian ARIA charts (performed by Australian Idol finalist, Lee Hardin.
Tommy has recently signed a publishing deal with Karma Power Records New York and is also collaborating for film and TV sync’s including Alloy Tracks Los Angeles USA. Back at home in Melbourne, Tommy is a regular performer and owns a commercial studio in Melbourne CBD at Rooftop Studios where he is in demand for radio and TV advertisements.
Tommy is currently working on a PhD in research in digital music production at Victorian College of Arts Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.
Email: trando@collarts.edu.au