<p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Last month, Guthrie Kennard, an American singer-songwriter from Texas, visited our </span><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">Music Performance and Production</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;"> learners, offering invaluable insight into the world of songwriting and performance. With over 60 years of experience in Old Blues and Southern country music, Guthrie brought not only his talent but also his wisdom, sharing stories from a lifetime dedicated to music.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Guthrie has played bass for six decades and performed alongside legendary musicians like Larry Graham, Buddy Miles, Rocky Hill, and Ray Wylie Hubbard. From playing gigs in small intimate settings to massive crowds of 50,000 people during the peak of the blues movement, Guthrie had many amazing stories to share with our learners about his journey.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">His passion for music has never faltered, “I have more stories than I do money,” he admitted, and even at 74, he continues to play because it brings him joy and fulfilment.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">During his visit, Guthrie shared insights into the songwriting process. He emphasised the importance of originality in lyrics, advising students to avoid repetition and make every line unique. His songwriting process is also largely organic—he starts with chords and a melody, often relying on drum patterns to guide the rhythm.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">While he doesn’t always plan albums in advance, he claims that he has a clear sense of the sound he wants to achieve. “I usually have a feeling of what an album will sound like, and I will write a song and decide that I need to keep it in that genre,” he explained.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Guthrie finds inspiration for his songs originates from the world around him. “I listen to stories, so if I hear a line that inspires me, I will use it as a lyric,” he shared. However, he also admitted to struggling with writer’s block, encouraging the students to keep writing, whether it’s serious songs or silly and fun, every bit of creativity is progress.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">The students were captivated when Guthrie performed in our Michael Eavis music Suite at Loxton Campus. Many of our learners aspire for a lifetime career in music in the future, giving them a lot of encouragement and insight into their chosen industry.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Guthrie acknowledges that his age has slowed him down a bit and discussed the challenges he has faced over time, but his love for music has always outweighed the negatives and he doesn’t want to stop playing. “I love doing it, and it keeps me going. It’s something I’ve done since I was a kid. Even though it’s been hard, it’s also kept me alive.”&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">During his visit, Guthrie praised Weston College’s facilities and the warmth of the students and staff, admitting that he was actually a bit nervous to be there.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">Guthrie’s insights and experiences provided the students with an honest, unfiltered look at the realities of being a musician. From handling criticism to navigating the financial struggles of the industry, he offered an abundance of knowledge that will undoubtedly help shape the future generation of artists.&nbsp;&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><span style="font-size:inherit;">We’d like to say a huge thank you to Guthrie Kennard for taking the time to visit us all the way from Texas and share his amazing journey and wisdom with our students.&nbsp;</span></p><p style="margin-bottom:8px;margin-left:0;margin-top:0px;"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; rel="noreferrer noopener" title="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; target="_blank"><span style="color:#37797B;font-size:inherit;">If you’re interested in applying to one of our Music and Production courses, click here.</span></a><span style="font-size:inherit;">&nbsp;</span></p>

<p>Last month, Weston College was lucky enough to gain funding from the Turing Scheme to take our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… Arts</a> students on a 15-day trip to New York City, where students not only got to experience all the sights of a big city, but also got to take part in many activities and attractions that have furthered their skills and knowledge of the industry.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><p>The Turing Scheme is a fantastic programme which offers funding to education providers to support students to pursue study and work placements worldwide. This provides learners with career-building opportunities and international experiences that will enhance their education and enrich them in different cultures.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><p>This trip was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for many of the students who may not have had the chance to leave the UK, let alone travel across the world. Thanks to the Turing Scheme, this trip was extremely affordable, with some students getting to go completely free of charge!<o:p></o:p></p><p>During this 15-day trip, the students’ itineraries were jam-packed! Not only did they take part in a range of Broadway classes with the Broadway Dance Centre, but they also got to watch three Broadway shows which were tailored to each pathway! They saw ‘The Play That Goes Wrong’ for the students on the Acting pathway, ‘Death Becomes Her’ for the Musical Theatre pathway, and ‘The Great Gatsby’ for the Dance pathway. This was a fantastic experience that allowed all students to see live performances at a professional level which many of them aspire for.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students posing in front of the &apos;The Play That Goes Wrong&apos; sign&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d3a0da20-d99f-4c14-b9e2-c101470346f2" 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>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students posing in front of &apos;The Great Gatsby&apos; sign&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5d443e8b-a8c6-42e2-9e93-942c57d08e87" 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><o:p></o:p></p><p>To further enrich themselves in the history of performing arts and experience all the city has to offer, the students took part in a range of activities: from a backstage tour of Radio City Music Hall, a guided tour of the Lincoln Centre, and visiting the Museum of Broadway, to attractions like ‘The Ride’ where they experienced flash mobs and pop-up shows, Summit One Vanderbilt observatory, and the powerful 9/11 Memorial Museum.</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students standing in front of &apos;The Ride&apos; bus&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="98abbea4-1f4e-42f0-9ed1-a1c46a8c8bc9" 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>&nbsp;</p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p>Outside of these amazing activities, students also got the chance to see the tourist sights of New York and indulge in the different foods. However, according to the group, majority would agree that the Cheesecake Factory was ultimately the best they tried!</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Students standing in front of The Cheesecake Factory&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0da2cc7f-7955-4d0a-b3f2-74b76b58672a" 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>&nbsp;</p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p>Joe Miller, one of our Performing Arts lecturers at Weston College who attended the trip with the students, was astounded by their progression over the duration of the trip, adding, “it was so amazing to see&nbsp;how the students progressed in not only their techniques and their performance, but also seeing their independence and confidence grow with everyday tasks.&nbsp;<o:p></o:p></p><p>We wanted to encourage independence for the students in a big city by getting them to chat to workers and people themselves, as well as independently navigate groups to places we’d been to give them a sense of accomplishment and confidence–it was amazing to see the personal growth in such a short space of time!”<o:p></o:p></p><p>This trip was not only important for personal growth, but also professional growth. Getting the chance to witness and work with many other performers and professionals throughout the trip gave the learners a better understanding of how competitive and tough the industry is and how much hard work and resilience is required to make it.<o:p></o:p></p><p>According to Joe, the impact of this trip has already been reflected in their hard work since arriving back home. He has noticed more rigorous training and a focus on techniques in order to improve their skills and pursue their careers.<o:p></o:p></p><p>This fantastic trip would not have been possible without Joe Miller, Jade Hicks and Annette Milburn who all supervised and helped to organise the trip to make it the most fulfilling and memorable experience for the students as possible.<o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/perfo… you’re interested in applying to one of our Performing Arts courses in September, click here.</a><o:p></o:p></p>

<p>Last month, members of the public had the opportunity to book their dogs onto a free pet photoshoot in the photography studios at Loxton Campus. These sessions were run by Year 1 and Year 2 <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… 3 Photography</a> students, offering them a valuable hands-on learning experience.<o:p></o:p></p><p>The students had the chance to photograph a wide variety of dog breeds, including Dachshunds, Huskies, French Bulldogs, Pomeranians, and many others. This annual event is always in high demand and sells out quickly. Not only does it provide an exciting real-world opportunity for students to enhance their photography skills, but it also allows the public to receive stunning, high-quality portraits of their beloved pets—completely free of charge.<o:p></o:p></p><p>The experience proved to be an excellent challenge for the students, helping them adapt to the needs of each dog. Not only this, capturing the perfect shot developed the students’ patience, quick thinking, and the ability to work with energetic subjects that were not always keen to sit still! These kinds of challenges are typical in professional photography due to the dynamic nature of the job, making this the perfect way for learners to gain industry experience in a controlled environment and prepare them for their future careers.<o:p></o:p></p><p>As well as gaining invaluable experience in a fast-paced, client-focused setting, the students also got to develop their personal portfolios that they can use after college.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Paul French, one of our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat…; lecturers who organises the event each year, ensures it runs smoothly for the public, the students, and the dogs. "This event provides invaluable experience for our learners, giving them a glimpse into their future as photographers and insight into the industry. The students stepped up to the challenge and portrayed a fantastic level of maturity and professionalism—a great reflection of Weston College and the well-rounded students we produce", Paul added.<o:p></o:p></p><p>The annual dog photoshoot continues to be a highlight for both students and the community, encouraging skill development, creativity, and the joy of capturing unforgettable moments with your precious pups.</p><p>Check out a few of this year's amazing pet portraits:</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Black and brown dog quizzically looking into the camera&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="407a8c3b-5108-4231-b49e-536f9efaae03" 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>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Grey and white dog crouched towards the camera&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="0a106a66-2cf8-4270-84e0-792159c50063" 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>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;French bulldog looking at the camera with her tongue out&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="88dfd4f4-829f-4910-8ed8-806789f438e2" 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>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Pomeranian looking at the camera with her tongue out&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="b388addb-90de-49c8-8944-8c66c1e9157f" 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>&nbsp;</p><drupal-entity alt="&quot;Light brown dachshund looking up into the camera&quot;" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="313c0b4c-6463-4560-845f-5a8e74ab17fe" 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>&nbsp;</p><p><o:p></o:p></p><p><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/creat… you’re interested in applying to one of our Photography courses in September, click here.</a><o:p></o:p></p>