• Craig Johnston, President
• Michael Shade, Vice President
• Tony Burn, Treasurer
• Rob Walker, CEO
• Damon McMahon, Committee
• Richard Snape, Committee
• Warrick Baker, Committee
• Daryl Horwood, Committee
• Graham Hoskins, Committee
• Mark Amory, Committee
• Rob Mestric, Committee
• Matt Walsham, Committee
• Jarred Finnigan, Committee

Craig Johnston, President Keyboard Corner/KC’s Rockshop, Boronia VIC Craig’s association with Keyboard Corner started in the early 80’s as a student at its music school. When it was time to participate in his secondary schools work experience program, Keyboard Corner obliged. Once he completed Year 12 in 1994 he started working at the store on a full time basis. When it was time for then owner Colin Steel to retire Craig purchased the business. Keyboard Corner’s life started as a small electronic organ store in 1978 by Colin Steel, over the years the business evolved with the times and focused on keyboards, digital pianos and acoustic pianos. In 1993 KC’s Rockshop was established with Heinz Dabernig as a second business at the same premises so the store would have a GMI offering.In the mid 2000’s a succession plan was hatched between Colin, Heinz and Craig and over 10 years Craig increased his stake in the business until 2016 when he became sole owner and merged the two businesses. Craig has been a member on the AMA board since 2012 and has previously served as Treasurer and Vice President.

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Michael Shade, Vice President Michael has been in the MI industry for 32 years and worked in retail, wholesale, distribution, importing and exporting. Currently working for Yamaha Music Australia as the General Manager for Music Products and Education Division, this is Michael’s third tour of duty with Yamaha having already worked 1997-2001 and 2009-2013. With an education in business, audio and music, Michael is an accomplished musician, performer and educator, bring all-round skills and experience to his current GM role at Yamaha. Yamaha Music Australia: YMA is wholly owned by Yamaha Corporation Japan and been in operation since 1986 with the acquisition of Rose Music, the distributor of Yamaha musical instruments at that time. YMA has recently moved and set up a new National Office in Market Street South Melbourne, the same street as where Rose Music was located. YMA distributes other brands such as Vox and Line6 amplification, Steinberg software, Paiste cymbals as well as Yamaha musical instruments, commercial audio and AV.

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Tony Burn, Treasurer, The Resource Corporation, VIC Tony has only ever worked in the music industry – or at least hung around other people who did.He has worked in retail for various companies in the UK including Harrods of Knightsbridge. From there he went into wholesale for Roland UK and another spell in retail before moving to Melbourne. Whilst here he has worked for Brashs, Bernie’s Musicland and Music Junction/Billy Hydes before joining The Resource Corporation 11 years ago. TRC was formed by Tony & Jenny Hosking to take over the import Konig & Meyer stands. Since then they have added other professional lines for the music, audio and AV industries including: ARX, Eurocable, LinkOmnimount, Schill, Optogate and have distribution deals with Kramer Electronics, Sony and HH Electronics.

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Rob Walker, CEO Rob Walker has been associated with the music products industry since 1986 when he organised the first of 40 odd events for the AMA. He was executive officer from 1991 – 2001 and returned to that role in 2013 after 3 years as director of market development at NAMM in the USA and a further 7 years as national marketing manager for Allans Music and AllansBillyHyde. He developed the Australian International Music Show, the AMAC Convention, Melbourne Guitar Show, Sydney Drum & Percussion Show, the AMP Conference and AES Conventions. He also developed Australian Musician magazine and the AMA’s online footprint. Rob was at the forefront of the development of the St Kilda Festival serving 8 years as entertainment manager and a further 2 years as Festival director from 1986 – 95. Rob is also an active musician and a well-respected bassist. He has played with Australian noteables such as Spiff Rouch, The Manikins, Crakajak, Thunderbirds are Go! and many more and currently appears with the Ambassadors of Love and Jack Howard and the Long Lost Brothers.

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Committee

	Damon McMahon, Shriro Australia Damon’s biography coming soon.
	Richard Snape, Hal Leonard Australia Richard Snape is a passionate and active member of the Australian music industry. He began playing flute in school and later worked for several music stores in and around Melbourne including Allans Music and Allans Publishing. In 2006 Richard became a shareholder and an Executive Director of the rebadged Allans Publishing (AMPD). In 2010 Richard and his partners sold AMPD to Hal Leonard Australia. As Head of Sales for Hal Leonard Australia, Richard has helped support many educational programs and has served on the Australian Music Association’s executive committee for over 10 years.
	Warrick Baker, Kawai Australia Warrick Baker first entered the Australian music industry in electronic organ retail in 1989, and has remained focused on keyboard and piano instruments ever since, working with some of the Queensland’s leading stores. After 20 years in retail, Warrick moved into wholesale, finding a fit for his experience, expertise, and enduring advocacy of music education as Kawai Australia’s Business Manager. He joined the AMA executive in 2013, and remains a proud, vocal supporter of the Australian music industry.
	Daryl Horwood, Musicorp, SA Daryl’s biography coming soon.
	Graham Hoskins, Concept Music, Wembley WA Graham Hoskins has worked in the music retail since leaving school so has 43 years experience in the industry. He is the owner/operator of Concept Musical Instruments in Wembley WA which he established in 1980.Graham was one of the first retailers elected to the AMA Executive Committee when the constitution was first changed to allow retailers to sit in 1997. He served on the AMA Committee for an extended period of time and was the Chair of the AMAC Committee for many years and was also the first retailer to hold the office of President in 1999.Musically, Graham’s background is as trombone player. He played professionally after leaving school and was the resident Bass Trombone with the Opera & Arts Orchestras for some years and also played on a casual basis for the West Australian Symphony Orchestra (WASO) and also as a freelance session player for many touring acts. Highlights of Graham’s playing career include playing for Dame Margot Fontaine, John Farnham, The Supremes, The Bee Gees. He no longer plays but can sometimes still be heard droning on his didgeridoo in his backyard.Concept Music is a full range store with a strong focus on electric, acoustic and bass guitars, as well as keyboards, brass and woodwind, electronic drums. He also serves on a Schools Music Trust which is involved in fundraising for several Perth Music Schools.
	Mark Amory, Fender Australia Mark Amory has been an audio and music products specialist for almost 30 years. Currently, General Manager of Fender Musical Instruments Corporation in Australia, Mark held senior management positions at Yamaha Music Australia from 1997, rising to General Manager of the Music Products division a position he held for over a decade prior to his move to Fender. He represented Yamaha on the executive committee also for a number of years during the 2000’s and is a prolific collector of guitars.
	Rob Mestric, Port Mac Guitars Rob’s biography coming soon.
	Matt Walsham, Roland Australia Matt Walsham is the current Guitar Product Manager for Roland Corporation Australia; a role that sees him taking charge of the marketing and promotion of BOSS / Roland guitar products throughout the Asia/Pacific region; in addition to collaborating with the global BOSS team on global marketing and product development. Matt’s 17-year association with the music industry began in his home country of NZ as a retail assistant for the NZ Rockshops chain of stores. This marked the beginning of a long association with the company which ultimately culminated in spending 8 years as the Guitar Product Manager / Buyer for parent company Webb Group (NZ). This role gave Matt the opportunity to step into the global sector of the industry and develop working relationships with some of the most significant companies in the music industry such as Blackstar, Cole Clark, Dimarzio, ESP, Ernie Ball, Gator Cases, Godin, Line 6, Gibson, Maton, Mesa/Boogie, PRS, Roland, Takamine and many more.In addition to his MI industry career, Matt has spent the last 20 years as an active working musician, currently playing both electric and acoustic guitar for various cover acts in Sydney.
	Jarred Finnigan, Sound Centre WA Jarred Finnigan’s love for music began as a child, attending Churchlands Senior High School in WA on a music scholarship, playing clarinet and saxophone in various jazz ensembles and big bands. It wasn’t until he left high school in 1982 that Jarred would kickstart his 35 year (and counting) music career, taking up a piano tuning/technician apprenticeship.Being a piano tuner/technician has taken Jarred around the world, visiting and working in the factories of most major brands. He has worked with/for some of the world’s best pianists such as Chick Corea and Elton John. More highlights include Prince,Tim Minchin, Coldplay, P!nk, Roxy Music, James Taylor and many more. He also worked in retail at Snadens in WA and representing Casio musical instruments for Shriro Australia.Today, Jarred is the director of Sound Centre and Sound Centre Pianos. Established in 1986 by a group of WA musicians, Sound Centre was initially a small shop and a few rehearsal rooms. Since, Sound Centre has grown into Perth’s most extensive music store in terms of space, instrument range and musical expertise

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