Janine Shearer is a classically trained musician, multi-instrumentalist, composer and arranger whose musical journey has taken her from orchestral performance and music therapy to community music education and, more recently, composing original music for film.

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With a Bachelor of Music (Music Therapy) from the University of Melbourne, Janine's musical background spans a diverse range of genres, instruments and creative experiences. Throughout her musical career, she has performed, toured and recorded nationally and internationally with a variety of ensembles, including The Northern Beaches Orchestra, The Brass Machine Big Band and The Northern Beaches Symphonic Wind Ensemble.

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The Making Music 4 Life Years

After qualifying as a Registered Music Therapist with the Australian Music Therapy Association in 2005, Janine began developing her work in community music, bringing people together through music-making across a diverse range of settings. Her work spanned aged care, early childhood music programs and the corporate sector, reflecting her belief in the power of music to connect, inspire and enrich lives at every age.

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That same year, Janine founded Making Music 4 Life, bringing together her lifelong passion for music-making, education and performance with a strong belief that music should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age or musical experience.

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Over the following two decades, she created, developed and led a diverse range of music programs, from early childhood music and movement classes to corporate drumming workshops, community ensembles and performances.

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A passionate advocate for music education across the lifespan, Janine found particular joy in introducing adults to music-making, especially those who had never had the opportunity to learn an instrument before.

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Through her ukulele programs alone, she inspired more than a thousand people to embark on their own musical journey of discovery, building confidence, friendships and a shared love of music along the way.

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As founder and musical director of the Lightly Strung Orchestra ukulele ensemble, Uke-A-Holics Anonymous and Slightly Plucked Up quintet, Janine created countless opportunities for people to experience the joy of making music together.

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Janine was also one of the original members of The Australian Ukulele Orchestra from 2017-2021 and appeared in various music videos during Covid-19 lockdowns including Palladio, Libertango, Sabre Dance, and The Entertainer. She holds Level 3 teacher accreditation through the James Hill Ukulele Initiative (JHUI) Teacher Certification Program.

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Her broader musical training includes Dalcroze Eurhythmics, drum circle facilitation with Arthur Hull (Village Music Circles) and developmental community music with Kalani Das, further enriching her approach to music education and community music-making.​

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Janine has always had just one modus operandi — and it doesn't involve an OFF switch! Her boundless enthusiasm and infectious teaching style have inspired countless people to discover the joy of making music, one uke at a time.

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A New Creative Chapter

Following the conclusion of Making Music 4 Life's community music programs, Janine has turned her creative focus towards original music composition, particularly music for film.

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Drawing on her diverse musical background, she is developing her work as a composer while also creating original music for independent release.

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Although her musical direction has evolved, the curiosity, creativity and enthusiasm that inspired Making Music 4 Life continue to shape her work.​