WHITE SKY MUSIC - Key Persons
After completing her Bachelor of Business (Accounting) at La Trobe University, Chrystalla took a couple of months off and travelled to visit family in Cyprus.
On her return, she worked for a manufacturing business and tried her hand at a corporate level. However, she realized that vibe wasn't for her and landed at White Sky with a passion for music and numbers.
She's currently studying for her CPA and looking forward to completing this in the next couple of years.Apart from music, her other passions include sport and watching a lot of trashy TV.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Senior Business Manager
The next couple of years saw Dean working in accounts in film and television before he finally got his chance to work with some bands when he joined White Sky.
In his spare time, Dean enoys reading and discussion psychology and in 2017 began studying for his MBA.
Emma has worked in and around the music and entertainment industry fro years, always knowing she was more suited to the backstage and business-end of things, rather than out front of house.
With a Bachelor of Music/Arts (Composition & Theatre majors), Diploma in Entertainment Business Management and a Cert IV in HR, she comes fully qualified for her with in the Royalty Department.
She is a self-described ‘mad field hockey player', occasional streamer on Twitch and a Musical Director in the local Community Theatre scene.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager ( Sydney )
Based in Wollongong in NSW, Haydin grew up playing basketball for the Illawarra rep team, but now just plays it for fun. He has a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and passed with Distinction.
When one of his friends told him that White Sky is the place for accountants in the music industry, he jumped at the change to apply for an advertised position and has quickly found his place, looking after many high-profile clients.
Haydin can also be found playing guitar in bands and loves a trip to the beach for a dip.
Job Titles:
- Head of Finance and Operations
Born and bred in the Blue Mountains of NSW, Jamie crossed the border to get a taste of life in cosmopolitan Melbourne. Jamie was on the hunt for a role that would enable him to make full use of his CPA and MBA qualifications along with the experience gained from a finance career dating back to 1990.
Born and raised in Hobart, and with a Bachelor of Business and Science and a Graduate Diploma of Chartered Accounting, Jed made the move to Melbourne in 2016.
After working 4 years in the corporate world of public practice accounting, he needed a change which would combine his passion for music with his professional life.
Outside of work, he is an amateur athlete (having competed in the Stawell Gift Carnival), a former VFL boundary umpire, a die-hard Geelong Cats fan (he catches a game almost every weekend), and has an impressive collection of heavy metal band t-shirts and vinyl.
Having played professionally for 18 years with the likes of Jen Cloher, The Orbweavers, East Brunswick All Girls Choir, Laura Jean, Grand Salvo, Ali Barter and many more local luminaries, Jen came to White Sky via a steady stream of fellow bookkeeping-drummers.
As the current venue booker for The Bridge Hotel in Castlemaine, Jen's inside knowledge of the ins and outs of touring, being in bands and all things live music is invaluable to the team.
Having been a trainee accountant since she was 18 years old, Jochelle was almost ready to leave the accounting world behind when a call changed her mind. It was a recruiter letting her know about a non-traditional accounting role in Collingwood, and with a love of music, she decided it was the perfect fit.
When not crunching numbers, you can find her as cosplay conventions, playing video games, board games and attempting D&D. She's also the Treasurer for UN Youth Victoria which teaches high school students about world politics.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Senior Business Manager
Starting in 2009, White Sky was John's first real job out of Uni. He started at the bottom and has grown with the company, learning all aspects of what we do first hand and in 2015 was promoted to the newly created position of Senior Business Manager.
When he's not crunching numbers John is a regular at Melbourne music venues and festivals, he barracks for the Kangaroos, and dabbles in the black arts of band management on the side.
Unfortunately John's favourite bands are never played in the White Sky office as they've been deemed too loud and distracting. Sorry John.
Job Titles:
- Head of Reporting & Analytics
Hailing from Manchester in the UK, Kate studied at Durham University, graduating with a Masters in Maths. She made the move to Australia in 2013 and after living a miserable existence in Sydney, decided it had to be Melbourne or bust.
Applying for a role as Account Manager at White Sky, we decided that with such a mind for numbers and a passion for music and spreadsheets, the Royalties department was her natural home.
Kate is a multi-instrumentalist (keyboard, guitar, vocals) in local indie-pop band, Peter Dickybird and also has a keen interest in food (eating and preparing), with her specialty being Tiramisu (which she has yet to make for the office).
Job Titles:
- Client Services Manager ( Sydney )
Hailing from the rolling green hills of Galway on the west coast of Ireland, Kieran landed a short-term temp role in the Melbourne office which he was ‘super stoked' about. During that time he asked if he could apply for a full-time position and White Sky was lucky enough to gain a new Tax Admin Officer. Most recently, we promoted him to Client Service Manager.
Kieran holds an Honours Degree in International Business and loves going to gigs, running, hiking and camping.
He's a huge Liverpool fan, and often stays up to the wee hours to watch his beloved team play. Recently he made the move from Melbourne to join our Sydney team and experience life in the Harbour City.
Currently completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Financial Planning, Kimberley has worked in corporate accounting firms for a number of years.
As a multi-instrumentalist, she enjoys going to gigs, frequenting record stores and travelling, with Egypt being her favourite place visited so far.
After having an interview lined up at White Sky which was unfortunately cancelled due to the pandemic, and not being a person to let an opportunity get away from her, Kimberley emailed Tom many months later declaring her love for both music and numbers. Another interview was lined up and rest is history.
Lee enjoys spending his time walking his dog Benny, hitting up some gigs and taking a drive our to see the best of Victoria with his family
Job Titles:
- Business Manager ( Sydney )
In 2019 she made the move to Sydney and after hearing about White Sky, reached out knowing it would be the perfect fit. The timing could not have been better - Lottie joined the Sydney team and hasn't looked back!
Outside of work, she enjoys baking delicious sweet treats and travelling, with Iceland and Hawaii her favourite places so far. Exploring the rest of Australia is up next.
Born on the tropical island of Mauritius, Ludo made the decision to move to the slightly less tropical island of Australia and landed in Melbourne to start his studies in Hospitality Management. He then decided to do something that he actually liked, so began his Bachelor of Accounting instead.
Marinelle was looking for a role in a company that would match her enthusiasm and commitment to excellence. When she came across White Sky she knew she was home.
Her experience in office management and other administration talents bundled with her eclectic taste in music made her a perfect fit!
Martin is a country boy at heart, spending most of his childhood on a sheep farm in country Victoria. In those days, he would spend more time in a shearing shed than at a gig, but his love of music was always clear.
After studying commerce at La Trobe Bendigo, Martin headed to London where his love of music really took off. When not working in finance roles, he spent most of his spare time at gigs and at festivals across Europe.
After returning to Australia, Martin found his way to White Sky where the blend of music and numbers has seen him shine.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Head of Royalties
White Sky Royalty Accounting was still only a few months old when Matt joined Gerry to help handle the unexpected workload and bring even more royalties experience to the team.
Matt had previously worked in the royalties department at Shock Records for eight years and as Royalty Manager for the last seven.
By night, Matt plays tenor saxophone with various outfits across town and could probably get a horn section together for that soul revival project you're working on.
Matty got his foot in the door by cold emailing White Sky and bragging about his skills at trivia. Finding out that he has a Bachelor of Business (Finance) and Bachelor of Accounting, as well as years of experience in the music scene as a touring singer and band manager - we realized we really needed another ace trivia hand on payroll.
Matty's booking, performing and international touring experience, coupled with a love of the world's dingiest live music venues has helped him understand our clients' needs and allowed him to move into the role of Senior Account Manager.
He's a self-confessed punk connoisseur, beer nerd, Simpsons obsessive and dog lover.
Job Titles:
- Partner, Senior Business Manager
Joining the team in 2013, Mike has been part of White Sky's growth and hunger for innovation as a Music Business Management firm.
With years of experience playing in dodgy Melbourne bands, a Bachelor of Business focusing on marketing and the music industry, and a Diploma of Financial Services, Mike brings more to the table than just a great attitude and work ethic.
As a Senior Business Manager and Partner, Mike is committed to readying his clients for all levels of success in the music industry and is passionate about delivering a new level of professionalism.
With a Bachelor of Accounting and after many years running a business touring international artists, hosting events and managing a record label (which he still does on the side), Nick found that White Sky was the place where he could utilise his experience in the music industry and focus more on the numbers.
He still regularly works on the scene as a DJ and hosts a radio show in his spare time.
Job Titles:
- Client Manager ( Sydney )
Growing up in Wollongong on the NSW South Coast, Nic has recently moved to Sydney's inner West. With a Bachelor of Music (Classical Performance) from the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, as well as a Diploma of Accounting, he is also a Registered Tax Agent.
He's been playing guitar for 19 years, first learning classical then eventually finding the electric. He's a massive Chelsea FC fan, watching all their games, and also enjoys playing tennis and cooking.
When Nic saw an ad for White Sky, he realised it combined both his passions and hasn't looked back since.
Sam made the move from Brisbane to Melbourne because she ‘wanted more than one vegan restaurant to eat at'. She worked for 10 years in construction but eventually wanted something different.
She found White Sky, and with it a culture and vibe that was exactly what she was after, combining things she enjoys (music and cool people) with things she was experienced at (paying accounts). She couldn't be happier with the change in industry.
Job Titles:
- Business Manager ( Sydney )
In 2014 Sasha left her native Russia to pursue her studies half way around the world in sunny Australia. With two Master Degrees and extensive finance experience in her pocket, she joined White Sky in early 2019 when she decided to transition from tax accounting to the exciting world of business management.
Sasha heads up the Sydney office, bringing her pizzazz and bubbly energy to the growing team in Surry Hills.
After hours, she can definitely be found at the nearest local gig and enjoying the sunshine in the Harbour City.
Taylor spent the first four years of his career working in public accounting in his hometown of Perth while committing all his spare time to managing his friends' bands. After tiring of the suit-and-tie life, he packed up and moved to Melbourne in search of a career that would combine both his passion for music and accounts (yes, you read that right, a ‘passion for accounts').
TOM HARRIS - Founder, Managing Director
Tom started White Sky in 2002 working out of his bedroom. His first client was the indie record label Rubber Records. From there he started helping artists with their bookkeeping on the side, all the while promoting himself under the name White Sky.
Tom co-managed The Temper Trap from 2006 to 2011, taking the band from small Melbourne venues to world-wide success. He currently manages folk-pop band The Little Stevies and their kid's music side-project Teeny Tiny Stevies.
In 2009 Tom was asked to join the board of the AAM (Association of Artist Managers) and in 2012 took on the role of Treasurer.
After nearly 20 years in the industry, Tom remains committed to his career-long passion to continually improve the way White Sky assists artists and their teams in navigating the business side of their careers.
After moving to Melbourne in 2012 to get involved with the music scene, Zach has been playing in bands for the last 10 years, as well as going on tours as a guitar tech and roadie.
He spend years working in the insurance industry in claims management, client management and loss adjusting, but needed a change from the corporate world. Looking for something that incorporated his love of music, he applied for a role at White Sky.
Currently completing a Cert IV in Accounting/Bookkeeping, he loves Australian heavy music, dive bars and discovering small, local bands.