Mark Smith
Executive Director
Mark started out as a drummer in Darwin bands Drum Drum and Culture Connect. He later became manager of both groups, taking Drum Drum on a tour to over 13 countries, whilst Culture Connect received national attention through triple j and Channel V. Mark later took on management of Darwin duo Sietta – the group achieving significant national impact with their first album, securing partnerships with Elefant Traks, Universal Publishing and New World Artists/Artist Voice.
Mark has been the Executive Director of MusicNT for the past ten years and, in that time, has grown the organisation’s internal capacity by initiating and supporting programs to deliver clear and sustainable outcomes for the NT music industry. Mark has high-level project management and governance experience, and holds a Bachelor of Business.
Liz Archer
Central Australian Manager
Whilst pursuing a career in youth and community services, music has remained central to Liz’s life. She studied classical piano at Elder Conservatorium in the late 70s and has performed piano and keys solo, as accompanist and in bands at private and community events along with singing in community choirs. For a decade Liz produced and broadcast a diverse range of programs with 102.1 8CCC Community Radio and more recently has co-ordinated local productions including Desert Song Festival, Desert Voice and Big Sing in the Desert, along with coordinating a very remote Festival in Walungurru (Kintore) in 2013. She returned to 8CCC in 2020 as a volunteer broadcaster showcasing original music by NT women.
Liz brings a wealth of experience working with remote communities, event and staff management skills, community development and report writing expertise into her role, along with a commitment to working collaboratively, listening to stakeholders and supporting the continued growth of independent, original music in and from central Australia.
Jeremy Taylor
Operations Manager
Jeremy has extensive experience working across the creative industries with over 11 years’ experience working on complex placed-based activations, festivals, exhibitions, performances, and arts and cultural infrastructure projects at both small and large scales.
As a former professional musician and with over 20 years’ experience performing, producing and facilitating music projects, Jeremy shares a deep commitment to the development of the music industry and specifically the principles and objectives of MusicNT.
Jeremy is also co-founder of Mycelium Studios, a multi-disciplinary creative hub, consultancy and exhibition/performance space in Melbourne’s north, where he oversees the operations of Mycelium Recording Studio.
Jeremy Conlon
Regional Areas Music Program Manager
Jeremy Conlon, freelance sound recordist – sound engineer, musician, and composer, has had over 30 years experience in many facets of the music industry. They were a member of Adelaide band The Violets, and has continued their electronic persona Cooperblack for the last 20 years. Jeremy has a degree in Classical Composition and enjoys writing, arranging and composing for contemporary songs. Jeremy was employed by Skinnyfish Music as an engineer and producer, and also worked at CDU as a town based remote lecturer in Music - Technical Production.
In Mparntwe (Alice Springs) they currently perform with Stellar Sea (bass guitar and voice), Cloud Sequence (Synth and production), and MATES (electric guitar and voice)
Jeremy’s music credits include ARIA award-winning albums “Gurrumul” and “Rrakala” by Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu (Skinnyfish Music), “Muyngarnbi – Walking With Spirits” featuring Tom E Lewis and Ross Hannaford (Daddy Cool), Nabarlek – ‘Manmoyi Radio” (Skinnyfish Music), ‘Tjamuku Ngurra’ – Tjintu Desert Band, KND album ‘MUZIK IZ 4EVA” (CAAMA Music).
They run their own studio music production - sound business 'Left Of Elephant Sound' based in Mparntwe (Alice Springs).
Danielle Andrews
Harm Reduction Officer
Danielle Andrews is a dynamic performer and entertainer who has captivated audiences across the Northern Territory as a children’s entertainer, comedian, and professional weirdo.
In her role at MusicNT with the All Good Project, Danielle is dedicated to creating safer, more inclusive spaces in festivals and venues, ensuring everyone can enjoy live music experiences. With a mission to spread joy as generously as Nutella, Danielle brings creativity, humour, and passion to everything she does.
Romana Paulson
Indigenous Music Development Officer
Romana is a Bundjalung and Mununjali woman from New South Wales but has lived on Larrakia Country and with the Darwin community for the majority of her life. For the past seventeen years Romana has focused on Event Planning/Management, Stage Managing, the hospitality industry and volunteering within the Top End LGBTQI+ communities.
Romana credits Event Management for opening doors for her to build a sense of community, a sense of belonging, and has helped her to create magic for those involved. She is an achievement driven and goal orientated person, who says her personal success is measured by self-awareness and experience.
Romana has taken on the role as MusicNT's Indigenous Music Development Officer, and strives to increase her leadership capacity in this industry as a First Nations person.
'The Music Industry strongly aligns with my passion for making the world shine brighter through engagement with others.'
Cassandra Williams
Indigenous Music Development Officer
Cassandra Williams, aka Casii Williams, is an award winning singer/songwriter and musician who made her debut as a musical theatre performer in 2024 in the Warrumpi Band musical theatre show ‘Big Name, No Blanket.’ Casii has been a part of MusicNT as an artist, mentoring Desert Divas for many years and is now MusicNTs Indigenous Music Development Officer, central region.
Cassandra has been around music her whole life, coming from a music family hailing from west of Alice Springs from the remote community of Hermannsburg (Ntaria). After following in her grandfather’s footsteps, the late Kasper Gus Ntjalka Williams OAM, Casssandra has become the first female solo artist in her family performing in festivals around Australia.
Leisa Howlett
Communications & Engagement Coordinator
After studies in the creative industries and advertising, Leisa started her writing career as a music journalist for university and street-press mags around Brisbane. After a stint in travel marketing, she was inspired to take off on her own adventures and document her own experiences. She backpacked and freelanced her way through Latin America, one coffee and cerveza at a time.
Leisa developed her social media management, content creation and digital marketing skills at an agency in Alice Springs during the Coronavirus pandemic. She's since returned to one of her first loves – music – and moved up to Darwin to continue living the NT dream. Working across all our programs and their respective channels, Leisa communicates the work we do to our stakeholders and engages with musicians and industry workers across the sector.
Jack Gumbula
Remote Music Ranger
Jack is from Gove. His father, Jo Gumbula, played in the blues band Crystal Clear, and Jack grew up surrounded by music.
Jack loves listening to funk, jazz and the blues. Playing many instruments and rapping and songwriting, he believes music sends messages through the people.
Jack ran the Ramingining music room for two years, and his focus was on getting the young ones to learn about the two systems (law/lore) through music.