Leeds College of Music students tell their stories
"As an International student, one of the best things about living in Leeds is being able to enjoy its vibrant music scene. Whether it’s small local pubs, medium-sized trendy bars or bigger renowned venues, the city offers a wide selection of artists across the musical spectrum performing constantly throughout the year. As a music student, I have found that going to gigs is the best way to find inspiration outside of Leeds College of Music. For this reason, moving to Leeds has been a crucial decision for my musical development that I will never forget.”
Fernando Heftye (Mexico), Music Production
“Leeds College of Music has driven my creativity and passion for music, through ensembles and individual performance opportunities. The course has molded my skills ready for the outside world, allowing me to feel confidence as to what the future holds as a full-time musician.”
Rebecca Hill, Classical
“Leeds College of Music will always have a special place in my heart. It has the right combination of inspirational tutors and academic rigour to prepare any musician for the outside world!"
Phil Meadows, Jazz
“Leeds College of Music is the perfect environment for performance based studies. Over my three years here I have had the opportunity to work with jazz greats such as Mike Gibbs, Dave Liebman, John Taylor and Kenny Wheeler to name a few.”
Max Sterling, Jazz
“I have had a great experience at Leeds College of Music. The college has been supportive of my own interests and I am constantly offered great advice. Leeds is an amazing student city with good nightlife and lots of performance opportunities for up-and-coming musicians. I will continue to use the knowledge I have learnt through my time at Leeds College of Music and develop a career in music.”
Jade Ellins, Popular
“Since I left school I always dreamt of coming to Leeds to study. I remember reading the prospectus for Leeds College of Music and getting excited about the possibilities that awaited me. After studying here for two years I haven't looked back. The teachers and staff are excellent, the facilities are more then I could ask for and my fellow students have been amazing to work with. I cannot wait to begin my third year to complete my degree!"
Jonny Cade, Foundation Degree/Production
“Leeds College of Music has been very beneficial for me, due to the number of performance opportunities that I have had. I auditioned for the concerto prize, and following this, I was a soloist in two orchestral concerts. As well as performing opportunities, I have particularly benefited from the music industry training, for example learning to build a website, developing a portfolio and meeting professionals who offer tailored career guidance.”
Jenny Lloyd-Wilkinson, Classical
“Leeds has become my home away from home. At Leeds College of Music we don’t just learn about music, we also learn about life. The teachers and staff are always supportive, trying to help each student reach their potential in a way which is natural and helpful for them. Both inside and outside of LCoM there is a huge variety of music genres and collaborations happening, from jazz to electroacoustic there’s something for everyone. However it’s the people of Leeds that make it such a great place to be. In two short years I have gained amazing friendships which will remain with me long after I graduate."
Dan Taylor, Jazz
“My time at Leeds College of Music has been brilliant and the help and support of the Production lecturers has been invaluable. Studying Production at Leeds College of Music has opened up so many opportunities for me, including work with BBC Yorkshire and BBC Introducing. I am really excited about what the future holds.”
Emma Knight, Production
“Leeds is a fantastic city for musicians and music lovers.There is a great choice of entertainment every night of the week if you know where to look. It's been a real pleasure to study at Leeds College of Music; we have benefitted greatly from the rehearsal and recording facilities which have been incredibly useful for us as a band.”
Rob Platts and Chris Milligan of Buffalo Bones, Popular
“Dropping everything and leaving your country for a place you‘ve never been isn‘t easy, but my move to Leeds has been fantastic. Leeds College of Music is full of wonderful, knowledgeable and supportive staff, and the city itself has so many live venues for music. I'm so glad I made the move!”
Katie Patterson (Canada), Jazz
“The most positive aspect of working and living in Leeds is the people and the contacts you can make. I’ve learnt to sell myself as a producer and ‘put yourself out there’ for everyone to see in a city with an ever expanding music scene. Leeds College of Music provides a solid foundation for any musician or producer, giving them a head start within the industry.”
Wil Frost, Production
