<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last week, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… Performance and Production</a> students at Weston College took part in an inspiring Q&amp;A session with musician and former student, <strong>Beth Rowley</strong>. During the session, Beth shared her journey into the music industry, reflected on the experiences that shaped her career, offered invaluable advice to students hoping to follow a similar path, and even performed a few songs with guitarist, Tom Kuras.&nbsp;</p><p>Beth’s journey began at Weston College, where she initially studied <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/art-d… and Design</a> before discovering her passion for music and progressing onto one of the&nbsp;<a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; courses. Reflecting on her time at Weston College, Beth explained how pivotal those years were in shaping her future, allowing her to develop her creativity, build confidence, and connect with like-minded people who shared her interests. Her studies also helped her progress to <strong>the British and Irish Modern Music Institute (BIMM) </strong>in Bournemouth, an experience she credits with opening many doors within the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>During the session, Beth discussed her musical influences and recalled her first major break while studying at BIMM, when she toured with <strong>Ronan Keating</strong> as a backing vocalist. She described this as a defining moment in her career, helping her recognise her value within the industry and giving her the confidence to pursue music professionally. Beth encouraged students to take advantage of every opportunity available to them, emphasising that experience and exposure are essential for career development.&nbsp;</p><p>She also highlighted the importance of performing in smaller venues and building a community through live music. Beth encouraged students to attend open mic nights and use intimate performances as an opportunity to discover their stage presence, develop audience engagement skills, and refine their personal style. She explained that these smaller gigs are often where musicians build both confidence and a loyal fanbase.&nbsp;</p><p>Drawing from her own experiences, Beth advised students to work on the areas they find most challenging, rather than focusing solely on their natural strengths. Developing a wider skillset, she explained, can make musicians more adaptable, independent, and versatile within the industry.&nbsp;</p><p>Alongside the highlights of her career, Beth also spoke openly about the challenges she has faced. In particular, she discussed the growing role of social media within the music industry and the increasing pressure artists face to constantly self-promote their music and performances online. Beth reflected on how this shift can sometimes make the industry feel less personal, with greater emphasis placed on creating engaging content rather than focusing solely on the music itself. Her honesty gave students valuable insight into the realities of working within a modern creative industry and how quickly&nbsp;it&nbsp;can adapt.&nbsp;</p><p>Beyond performance, Beth encouraged students to think about the business side of music. She stressed the importance of understanding industry-standard fees, setting boundaries with venues, and recognising personal value as an artist. For students beginning their careers, this advice offered an important reminder that confidence and professionalism are just as essential as talent.&nbsp;</p><p>Comparing today’s Weston College facilities to those available during her time as a student, Beth praised the College’s updated equipment and industry-standard resources. She spoke enthusiastically about the opportunities now available to learners and even expressed interest in returning to collaborate and record with students in the future. &nbsp;</p><p>This session allowed our students to ask insightful questions, listen to a fantastic live performance,&nbsp;and engage with a talented musician who was once in their shoes. Her&nbsp;openness provided students with an honest and relatable perspective, outlining the challenges, sharing her insight and guidance, whilst also discussing how she overcame self-doubt and navigated changes throughout her&nbsp;creative career.&nbsp;</p><p>Beth finished the session with valuable advice, saying, “Your job has to be fun because life is too short to do something you don’t love every day. Fortunately, music has always been enjoyable for me, so I have no regrets. Music helps me get up in the morning. It provides an escape and that’s what you need from your career.”&nbsp;</p><p>Oz Cahill, Music and Production lecturer at Weston College, added, “It was fantastic to welcome Beth back to the College to share her invaluable insight with our current students. Seeing her successful career journey is hugely inspiring and demonstrates what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance. Hearing her honest reflections and industry experience gave students a genuine insight into what a career in music really looks like.”&nbsp;</p><p>A huge thank you to Beth for taking the time to share her insight with our students and perform for them!</p><p>This session forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… Performance and Production</a> Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><em>Photos credited to </em><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… </em></a><em>student, Louis Havinden.</em></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Earlier this month, a wide range of students took a trip to <strong>New York City</strong> to visit the iconic tourist attractions and experience the sights of one of the most famous cities in the world. This trip was largely funded by the <strong>Turing Scheme</strong> and allowed students from <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Media Makeup</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> to explore New York for two weeks for an affordable rate.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Group photo in front of the statue of liberty&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5add5d7e-3290-47e1-ba68-43a441be72a8" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>The Turing Scheme is the UK’s global programme for studying and working abroad, enabling students, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, to gain the confidence, skills, and international experience that employers value. Weston College has been fortunate enough to secure over £216,000 in Turing Scheme funding to transform student experience and create unforgettable memories.</p><p>During the trip, our students visited iconic tourist attractions like the Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island, Top of the Rock, Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden, Central Park, and Times Square, exploring the areas and enjoying the sights that the city offered.</p><p>On top of this, some students took part in workshops such as a Broadway Dance Centre class and a Stage Combat workshop, as well as others using their free time to attend a football match, Broadway shows such as Six the Musical, The Great Gatsby, and Death Becomes Her. They even received backstage tours of Radio City Music Hall and experienced the harrowing 9/11 Memorial Museum which had a last impact on the students.</p><p>Outside of the activities and sights, students had lots of free time for shopping and trying new foods, with corndogs being a new favourite. Not only this, they also saw many celebrities entering the Devil Wears Parada 2 Premier, and even met Daniel Radcliffe after his show and took a selfie with him, a definite highlight of the trip!</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;2 students taking a selfie with Daniel Radcliffe&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="aad53a38-2ddc-43ed-a930-421aabfb1c91" data-embed-button="file_browser" data-entity-embed-display="image:image" data-entity-embed-display-settings="{&quot;image_style&quot;:&quot;max_500x500&quot;,&quot;image_link&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;image_loading&quot;:{&quot;attribute&quot;:&quot;lazy&quot;}}">&nbsp;</drupal-entity><p>Students adapted well to New York and quickly became used to the fast-paced atmosphere, navigating their way around, and the general feel of such a huge city. They faced some challenges through the trip, however everyone showed fantastic resilience, communication, and problem-solving skills, as well as developing their independence, confidence, and trust in themselves and others.</p><p>This trip created unforgettable memories accessible to everyone, as well as introduced students to their peers across different curriculum areas, building lasting friendships with people they may not have had the opportunity to meet.</p><p>Joe Miller, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a> lecturer at Weston College and supervisor of the trip, added, “This trip was a fantastic opportunity for our students to immerse themselves in a vibrant city with many different cultures. The group were such a pleasure to travel with, they were appreciative, mature, and happy to try new things, and they really pushed themselves out of their comfort zones. It was great to see every learner grow across the two weeks and I’d like to say a huge thank you to the staff who accompanied me on this trip, your support was invaluable and made the experience far more seamless and enjoyable!”</p><p>As a college, we’d also like to say a huge thank you to the Turing Scheme for making this experience possible and enabling our students to go on fantastic trips like this to enrich their future careers.</p><p>Thank you to Joe Miller, Lucy Cruse, Heather Boucher, and Hannah Prior for supervising the students on this trip and ensuring they made lasting memories!</p><p>This trip forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/hair-… and Media Makeup</a>, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/sport…;, <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…;, and <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/level… Levels</a> Careers Excellence Hubs. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p><p>&nbsp;</p>

<p data-pm-slice="0 0 []">Last month, our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; students received an insightful guest lecture about the History of Lighting Control from industry professional, Mike Halstead. This showed our students interested in production about the development of stage lighting and gave them a deeper understanding into how advanced studio lighting technology has improved throughout history.</p><p>Within our <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; courses, there is a blend of students who wish to perform, and others who prefer the production aspect, ensuring events run smoothly and the sound and lighting is executed seamlessly. Learning about the history of lighting through demonstrations and a display of vintage lighting equipment allowed our students to gain a practical understanding of how far technology has advanced to improve the efficiency of stage lighting and the modernised technical systems used to control them.</p><p>During the session, Mike discussed his career within the industry, his first-hand experience of the progression from manual control desks to modern technology, and the different types of lights including the challenges that may accompany them for different situations. This knowledge equips students with a broader skillset and a more holistic view of production, enhancing both their technical competence and creative decision-making.</p><p>This insight into the technical and creative evolution behind live performances and studio environments is invaluable to our students who aim to be the future of the industry. By exploring the development from early manual control boards where operators physically adjusted dimmers and switches, to modern digital systems, students gain a deeper appreciation for how precision and flexibility in lighting have transformed production quality.</p><p>A huge thank you to Mike Halstead for taking the time to visit our students, share your extensive knowledge on lighting control, and giving them the opportunity to see vintage lighting equipment and its progression up close.</p><p>This workshop forms part of the <a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; Careers Excellence Hub. Weston College's Career Excellence Hubs are designed to be the launching pad for our learners' careers. In a world where connections and relevant skills matter more than ever, these hubs offer a holistic approach that prepares learners to thrive in their chosen industries. With the support of these hubs, our learners are well-equipped to make a significant impact in their professional journeys.&nbsp;</p><p><strong>If you are passionate about education and are looking for an opportunity to join the staff team at a leading college, then look at the latest job vacancies available at Weston College </strong><a class="ProsemirrorEditor-link" href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/jobs?utm_source=main-menu&amp;utm_medium=main-…;. You can find all the latest job opportunities that Weston College has to offer, with a commitment to providing quality education for learners and a focus on continuous professional development for staff, Weston College is an excellent place to work and grow in your career.</strong></p>