On the very first episode of the 2025/26 summer seasonal, Takee sat down with Dr. John Martin Cass of JMC Academy, to discuss all things to do with creative education, his journey that led to the success of the institution and how they continue to empower emerging artists and creatives.

Martin founded JMC Academy in 1982 and has remained staunchly dedicated to lifting the quality of education and training in the Creative Industries.  Martin launched Australia’s first ever accredited courses in Audio Engineering (1991), Multimedia (1996), and Digital Television (2000) in an industry still relatively new to the opportunities and prospects of a Creatively-driven multi-media explosion within an environment traditionally.

Martin is or has been a member of multiple accreditation and advisory panels across the higher education, vocational training, creative industries and philanthropic sectors including: 

• Chair Acpet 2010-2016
• Acpet NSW 2001 benchmarking sub-committee 
• Acpet NSW 2003 higher Education sub-committee.
• VETAB accreditation panels of various private providers and TAFE.
• CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music and Entertainment industry Training Packages.
• CREATE Australia advisory panel for the development of Music Industry competency standards.
• Various Arts Training NSW advisory panels 
• The curriculum advisory panel for the Graduate Diploma in Design Science (Audio), Sydney University Faculty of Architecture.
• AUSMUSIC education advisory panels  
• Australian Contemporary Music Institute ACMI panel 
• Papers and Seminars
• Delivery of “Innovation and Creativity – sunk without a trace” paper at the 2006 National Acpet conference. 
• Opening address at the International Association for the Study of Popular Music Conference 2006
• Mater Dei Foundation Committee member (Fundraising for children with disabilities)
• Presented documentation to the Federal inquiry into the future opportunities for Australia’s film, animation special effects and electronics games industries. July 2003

Qualifications:

• PhD.I (University of New England)
• Masters in Recording Arts, Macquarie University
• Cert IV in Assessment and Workplace training