(She/her) 2022 | Masters of Arts in Performance; The Royal Academy of Music

I am studying a Master of Arts in Performance at the Royal Academy of Music as it is one of the best music academies in the world with outstanding instrumental tutors and facilities. I have a moderate cookie bite sensorineural hearing loss between 500Hz-2kHz in both ears and am currently using Signia Pure Pure 13 BT 5nx hearing aids in both ears. This has not stopped me from wanting to become a professional musician, but it has certainly made the process a lot harder.

Due to my disability, I have to study and practice more as it takes me longer to process aural information, and funding will enable me to study more which gives me less time to be able to work due to having a disability.

My hearing disability has always made it more difficult in all aspects of my musical playing and having these extra two years of study would enable me to become a serious professional classical musician with access to some of the world’s best tutors that are not available in Australia. With this scholarship, I can grasp the opportunities that it would provide, to become a successful musician and make a valuable contribution to the musical life of our community, in both Australia and the UK. Audiences want to see a reflection of themselves making music and the lack of diversity in orchestras deters people from coming to concerts. It’s a significant systemic problem.