I am so glad to be in a place where so many people my age are enthusiastic about music, all talented in their own way. Being in an environment like this encourages good competition, makes things challenging and worthwhile when you succeed at the end of your journey.

Faculties are great too. Equipment is high quality, decent studios, many instruments for us to borrow. LCM could support bands in their concerts outside of LCM as students do not have enough of their own funding to be able to afford borrowing equipment and setting up Pas, LCM should assist students in this way by perhaps providing some sort of lending contract.

Many teachers take interest in what students are doing outside of their lectures and the college, they are always happy to help. I have received guidance on how to improve in the music industry as a freelance musician and general help with coursework.

Leeds is unbelievable. I love performing music in various places in the city, there are lots of venues (unfortunately the Cockpit has closed down) and the architecture is beautiful.

I really love the how I am surrounded by such talented musicians, each person is valuable to get to know for future contacts. I am able to extend my skills in a professional field which is probably one of the most important things I find here. The only negative aspect is that you spend such a short period of time here with these amazing people. I think all the content that is taught is relevant and engaging for students, perhaps some more workshops where you can actively participate in would be a good addition to what LCM already provides. The teaching is outstanding as the tutors all have experience in their field, they are masters of their instrument, they’ve been in the industry, and that helps them inform their teaching and benefits us as students.

LCM accommodates many guest speakers, all who are very relevant to the current music industry. Only last week we had touring members of Kylie Minogue visit and give really useful lectures about working in the music industry. We have a fantastic into learning what goes on with the technology in instruments and sounds and not just purely learning the instruments themselves – it really goes a step further. LCM educate you on all the different types of jobs you can get in the industry, they help you discover what fields you have the most interest in and help evaluate you as a person to see where you can improve on if you want to aspire to be a certain profession.

My overall experience has been very positive. I feel like I’ve contributed to a lot of change, which makes me feel good and confident in knowing that LCM will forever help me to rectify any problems I may face in the future. I am always enthusiastic about my instrumental lessons. I was given lots of performance opportunities of various different palettes of performing. Very pleased with my time here.

The building’s entrance and café have had a massive upgrade and makeover. We have lots of new gear coming to LCM as well including new guitars, basses, amps. There are still some improvements in regards to the equipment that need to be made, on the classical course mainly. String instruments need to be better maintained and looked after, with strings being replaced and damages seen to. Instrument accessories also need to be made available along with the instrument, LCM may provide a violin but often not along with a shoulder rest or a decent bow. Otherwise practice rooms are well equipped with a piano in every room. There’s always a space to practice and rehearse.

I work quite closely with student services so I know they are really passionate about making sure that the welfare of students is looked after. There is always someone available to speak to, staff in particular are very open to listening and are good listeners too.

The SU are making really good progress this year, they are engaging more with students and expanding on the number and types of events over the year. This will impact positively on the future student unions that will follow.

Leeds is always vibrant and bustling, lots to do, lots of students. There is definitely a dense student culture because of the concentrated number of students in the city. Living is also very cheap, especially after exiting your degree.

I took part in many sports-related activities and was part of the “Real Folk and Ale” Society. It was all really good fun and there’s always time to join a few more.

I did the combined course which was great for me because I was really indecisive about what I wanted to do, I couldn’t decide between being a vocalist or a cellist, so coming to LCM enabled me to pursue both avenues in the way that I really wanted to. I aspired to be a frontwoman of a band which I achieved; I wanted to enhance my skills as a solo cellist which was possible again due to LCM. The individual tuition was excellent in that it was balanced and catered to me. On the classical course in particular, we are really blessed with some reputable tutors. My cello teacher was taught by Rostropovich, who in turned played with Shostakovich, and it’s that kind of linkage that directly informs your playing. On the pop course, band and artist direction is really excellent, and that is true throughout the entire conservatoire. Some problems I encountered were that there could be some changes halfway through the course in terms of marking and assessment criteria. I know LCM are trying to address this so it will be more consistent in the future.

My biggest part of work came from the musicians booking agency. I went on a UK tour with a singer-songwriter; I did 5 destinations in the summer and another 4 in the winter which paid really well. The agency also recommends my string quartet for events and functions. We played on Christmas day once which was nice but saddening at the same time!

Joseph Stones House accommodation has recently had a makeover. My stay there was really good fun, I would describe it like a greenhouse, you get to know everyone very quickly and easily. It was very overpriced though, student companies know 1st years will be staying there so they take advantage of that and charge obscene prices which is very unfair. I hope there will be a city-wide crackdown to clamp down on those issues.