<p paraeid="{98d357f7-573f-4277-8f22-3eb122347f16}{167}" paraid="799000823">Alex Lipinski is a former Weston College student who has built a vast and impressive career from humble beginnings on the West Country club circuit, to huge audiences across the pond in New York. He recently paid us a visit to deliver a talk about his experiences in the music industry to our <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Music Performance and Production</a> learners. Students also had the opportunity to interview the talented musician and watch him perform live.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{98d357f7-573f-4277-8f22-3eb122347f16}{224}" paraid="1058920877">Alex grew up in a musical family being influenced by 60s Rock and Roll music such as the Beatles, Rolling Stones and the Kinks. Alex had a love for writing music and began his journey performing his songs in clubs, bars and for family occasions. The interest in his music has grown greatly, particularly after his recent successful shows at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theborderline/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">The Borderline.</a> His track ‘Lonesome Train’ was also recently selected by BBC 6 presenter, Tom Robison, as one of his tracks of the week.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{0a17079e-4515-4fc6-8163-02dede87a1fd}{28}" paraid="113798404">He advised to the students is to have their own identity as an artist, writing from the heart and not being too influenced by chart music. Alex expressed originality and creativity is key amongst such a competitive industry, stating:&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{0a17079e-4515-4fc6-8163-02dede87a1fd}{42}" paraid="175395576">“The main thing is honesty when writing music...being honest with yourself and thinking what do you want to write about? Who are you as a person or as an artist? What do you want to say? Often people see what’s number 1 in the charts and think ‘ok I’m going to write a song like that because that will be successful.’ It doesn’t really work like that; you can tell that doesn’t mean anything. Having your own identity as a writer and an artist is more valuable than anything.”&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{0a17079e-4515-4fc6-8163-02dede87a1fd}{60}" paraid="382261608">He also gave the students some tips on the best way to get their music out onto the scene and to not be disheartened or discouraged when they do not get the responses they expected right away.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{0a17079e-4515-4fc6-8163-02dede87a1fd}{84}" paraid="1526609559">Overall, the learners thoroughly enjoyed his visit and hearing from someone who was exactly in their position before going on to achieve success in the industry. Thank you, Alex, for inspiring the next generation of artists!&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{0a17079e-4515-4fc6-8163-02dede87a1fd}{104}" paraid="1924067386">Find out more about our Music Performance and Production course <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music…; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{a0551587-5609-401d-8797-7308edd51607}{169}" paraid="1268858599">What makes a good teacher? Endless qualifications and certificates? An encyclopaedic knowledge of a given subject? Here at Weston College, we have always stood by the belief that lived experience is far superior to any badge or certification. First person knowledge and in-depth understanding of real industry practice is what makes a good teacher!&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{a0551587-5609-401d-8797-7308edd51607}{183}" paraid="1420013459">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former Weston College&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… Performance and Production</a> Learner, Michael "Mike-e", has gained an outstanding achievement in securing a place on the highly reputable MA Electronic Music Production at <a href="https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies</a>, partnered with Falmouth University.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{187}" paraid="731008097">Mike-e has been a part of the Weston College Group family since joining onto a Level 1 Music course in 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{193}" paraid="436535305">Since then, he has gone from strength to strength - excelling into Level 2 and 3, then into the UCW <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/professional-music-performance-and-produc… Music Performance and Production</a> Degree and finally earning a spot to study his MA with Bristol-based dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, commencing in September.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{205}" paraid="2066388487">Mike-e's journey and success is a truly commendable achievement and a powerful demonstration of hard work, passion, and dedication.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{217}" paraid="639609955">Upon hearing news of his offer to study at dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, Mike-e tell us he was ecstatic; “I have a habit of telling myself I won’t be successful in these kinds of opportunities so to hear back so quickly was so uplifting”.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{229}" paraid="2141334176">Mike-e's future career prospects and goals after University include continuing to work as a sound designer and composer for films and video games while operating a sample library and software instrument business.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{243}" paraid="1295486222">When asked about his time studying Music at UCW he told us: “I would recommend the course to anyone who wants to better their performance skills and develop some business knowledge. The studios and equipment are amazing, and I’ve really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to use them”.&nbsp;</p>