vmdo staff
Meet our people —
AJ is standing in front of a grey wall. She has short straight black hair, is wearing a black top and is smiling at the camera. The image is in black and white.
Neil Robertson is standing in front of a white wall. He has short grey hair and is wearing a white t-shirt with a long sleeve top unbuttoned. The image is black and white.
Aijia (AJ) Li
VMDO Director
Having worked in the global music industry for over ten years, AJ spent the last five years working in Artist Management. A native of Mainland China, AJ moved to New York City in 2013 and obtained a Master of Arts degree in Music Business at New York University. During her time in the US, she interned for multiple major and independent record labels and worked as a technical researcher for YouTube Music before moving to Australia in 2018.
She is currently overseeing the career of the Australian alt-pop trio, Woodlock, alongside her co-manager. She joined VMDO with experiences from different roles in the Victorian Music industry, including Operations Manager at Mushroom Management/Converge Management and Artists and Operations Manager at Tiny Triumphs Management.
Neil Robertson
Program Manager
Neil has worked in the music industry for over 25 years with a number of roles including having his own management company in the UK, overseeing Australian release campaigns for US and European groups at indies and majors, running a merchandise company and founding an independent record label. Amongst a few other things. He currently keeps his skills sharp by managing Sydney group Party Dozen.
Lauren Mitchell is looking directly at the camera. The background is blurred. She has medium straight blonde hair and is wearing a button up shirt with a pointed collar. The image is black and white.
Holly Pereira is standing in front of a tree full of leaves. She has short black hair and a fringe. She is wearing glasses and a black high neck top with a necklace and pendant. The image is in black and white.
Lauren Mitchell
Marketing Manager
Lauren has been working at the intersection of community, marketing and the arts for over a decade. From her work on major Australian festivals like Laneway, Groovin the Moo and Spilt Milk, running her own ambient and experimental record label, and curating a line-up for RCC as part of Adelaide Fringe Festival, her work has always been centred around music, art and culture, acknowledging the integral role they play in a healthy, functioning society.
Lauren is interested in accessibility within the arts and providing emerging artists and organisations with the tools and frameworks needed to succeed in and industry that can often be dominated by commercial players. Her past work included the development and launch of Blocks, an up-skilling initiative created in conjunction with Bolster and AIR, aimed at providing members of the broader community with the skills and resources to run effective social and digital marketing campaigns themselves.
Holly Pereira
Engagement Coordinator
Holly has been involved in the Victorian music scene since the age of 16. From slinging vinyl at Polyester Records, hosting shows at 3RRR and PBS, and booking iconic venues The Corner Hotel and Northcote Social Club, there’s not much she hasn’t done over the last decade.
Holly is particularly passionate about inclusivity and safety in the music industry, and has volunteered for intersectional feminist organisation LISTEN, as well as the State Government’s Sexual Harassment and Assault in Licensed Live Music Venues Taskforce. Her primary motivation is to work towards a music industry that is welcoming and accessible to all, recognising that change is an ongoing progress.
Alongside working in the music industry, Holly is studying youth mental health and works as a music reviewer and feature writer.