2025-26 Music Centre Award Holders and Scholars

Hi! I’m Prabhat Ranjan from India pursuing MS in Business Analytics. Winning the music award at UEA as a vocalist has been a truly meaningful milestone in my journey - one that began long before I ever stepped onto a university stage. Music has been a constant presence in my life since childhood. From my earliest memories, I was drawn to melodies, rhythms, and the simple joy of singing. What began as a natural passion gradually evolved into a deeper commitment as I moved through my tween and teenage years, where I started to understand music not just as expression, but as discipline, storytelling, and connection. Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by influences that nurtured this passion - whether through early exposure to different genres, encouragement from mentors, or opportunities to perform and learn. These formative experiences shaped my musical identity and instilled in me both confidence and curiosity. As I transitioned into adulthood, music became more than just an interest; it became a defining part of who I am, colouring my perspective, strengthening my resilience, and giving me a voice in ways words alone cannot. Studying and performing at UEA has further enriched this journey. The support, guidance, and opportunities provided have allowed me to grow not only as a vocalist but also as an artist willing to take risks, embrace new environments, and connect with diverse audiences. This award represents not just recognition, but encouragement to continue pursuing music with the same passion that began in childhood. Looking ahead, I am committed to carrying music forward as a lifelong influence - continuing to learn, perform, and explore its limitless possibilities. As the composer Hans Christian Andersen once said, “Where words fail, music speaks.”

I’m Katy and I am currently in my 4th year studying medicine at UEA. I started learning the cornet as part of my local youth brass band when I was 8 years old. I later moved onto trombone and have since achieved grade 8. Upon joining UEA, I have been involved with various musical groups including the UEA symphony orchestra, concert band, brass band and UEA Grooves. This has led me to play at various competitions, events and gigs across the country. It has also enabled me to be involved with local orchestras in the wider community. I also had the opportunity to lead the Brass Band for two years. This allowed me to see a different side of music making and practice both organisation and conducting. I led the band to compete at Unibrass, competing against other university brass bands.

I'm Ollie and I'm a 3rd Year Film and Television Production student. I've been playing the drums for 10 years, achieving a distinction in Grade 8 a few years back. Music has always been a key part of my life, whether that was booking out the town hall to host charity gigs with my band back home, or performing in Musicals and concerts at school. UEA has helped me hone my musical ability, especially within the Music Society, where I've been lucky enough to Co-Lead and play in UEA GROOVES. I'm also the President of the Drama + Musical Theatre Society, where I've been in the musicals for the last two years, but have taken a step back to oversee everything this year. Luckily, I've chosen to stick around and do a masters, so I can enjoy the musical scene here at UEA for one more year! I feel very thankful and lucky to have won one of the Music Centre Awards, and encourage anyone and everyone to get involved with music.

I've had music in my life for as long as I can remember having been taught piano by my Dad from a young age. When I was 10, I started clarinet lessons at school and have since achieved abrsm grade 6 in piano and grade 8 in clarinet. When I came to uni I started playing baritone saxophone for the music society function band, UEA Grooves, and in my 3rd year I took over running the band. I'm about to go into my 5th year of playing for UEA Grooves and it's been a formative part of my time at uni. We've performed for many private and public events in and around Norwich, most recently at Norwich Castle. I've learnt organisational, musical and logistical skills and will be gutted when I finally graduate with a medical degree and have to move on! Being part of the UEA Symphony Orchestra and many music society bands, I've enjoyed all that music at UEA has to offer and the UEA Music Scholarship then Music Centre Award has enabled me to get the most out of it.

Hi, I'm Cassie! I'm a Canadian-American student currently studying for my Master’s in Creative Writing (Poetry) at UEA. I have a varied musical background, beginning with playing the double bass in middle school, singing with a rock band in high school, and performing in several musicals during my undergraduate years (my favourite of which was The Lightning Thief: The Musical!). During my time at UEA, I’ve greatly enjoyed singing as a soprano with the UEA Choir, and especially love the festive cheer of the Christmas Carol concert. I’ve also assisted with the lunchtime concert series, which gives students the chance to perform in an informal setting and offers the wider campus the opportunity to hear some live music! I’m so appreciative of the Music Centre's support, and am very grateful for the chance to further my studies in classical singing with the Music Centre Award funding.

Hi, I’m Grace, a third-year Computer Science student and Music Award Holder. I began learning the clarinet at age 10 and have since achieved the ARSM diploma with distinction. I am currently preparing for my LRSM diploma in clarinet performance this summer, and I am honoured to have been selected as this year’s concerto soloist, performing Weber’s Clarinet Concerto No. 2 with UEASO in November 2026. Alongside clarinet, I also play piano and tenor saxophone, holding ABRSM Grade 8 in both. At university, I am actively involved in a wide range of musical ensembles. I am a committed member of UEASO and plan to continue in my master's next year. In addition, I founded the UEA Wind Quartet, which I now lead alongside Izzy. We have had a successful year, performing at a variety of engagements both within and beyond the university. I have also developed a growing interest in arranging, with The Sorcerer’s Apprentice being my most recent arrangement for wind quartet. Outside of university, I am a member of the Hertfordshire County Youth Orchestra, which has provided valuable orchestral experience and development. Last year, I spent the summer in the United States working at a camp as a specialist music counsellor for individuals with a range of additional needs. I led the music department, supporting participants in engaging with music and sourcing accessible instruments to suit diverse requirements. Later in the summer, I transitioned into a general counsellor role due to staff shortages. This was a significant personal challenge, particularly in light of my own disabilities, but I am proud to have completed the full three months, an experience that has had a lasting impact on me. Being a Music Award Holder is an achievement I am incredibly proud of. This year, I am using the funding to support my LRSM preparation and lessons. You will usually find me somewhere in the music building, rehearsing with UEASO, the wind quartet, clarinet choir, or concert band, all of which I find deeply rewarding and intend to continue throughout my time at UEA.

My name is Armin, and I am a final-year engineering PhD student at UEA. Alongside my academic work, music has always been a central part of my life. My journey began at the age of seven, when my mother gifted me a piano—an experience that sparked a lasting passion. I was initially trained in classical piano, which gave me a strong technical foundation, and later I explored Persian piano, inspired by my Iranian heritage. At 18, I became more deeply involved in music, studying solfege and music theory while also developing my voice as a bass singer in choirs. Over the years, I have performed in numerous events both as a pianist and as a vocalist, which has allowed me to experience music from different perspectives. Since moving to the UK in 2023 to begin my PhD at UEA, I have been an active member of the UEA Choir, singing as a bass. This has been a particularly rewarding experience, both musically and personally. I have also had the opportunity to perform as a pianist in concerts across Norwich and London. One of the highlights for me has been playing Persian piano pieces in the UEA Music Centre lunchtime concerts, where I could share a different musical style and cultural expression with new audiences. Looking ahead, I am excited to be performing this summer as a bass singer with the Norwich Philharmonic Choir at the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, which marks an important and inspiring new step in my musical journey. I am deeply grateful to my mother for her unwavering encouragement and support throughout the years. I would also like to sincerely thank the UEA Music Centre for providing such valuable opportunities to perform and grow as a musician—without their support, many of these experiences would not have been possible. I am truly grateful to be a recipient of the UEA Music Centre Award, which has greatly supported my musical development. I look forward to continuing to share my passion for music and to contributing further to the musical life at UEA.

My name is Nasser, and I’m a second-year medical student as well as a Music Centre Award holder. I grew up in Oxford, where I began studying the flute at the age of 9. Over the years, my passion for music has grown, and I have had the privilege of playing as principal flute and piccolo in a number of orchestras, touring across Europe on several occasions. Ensemble playing is extremely important to me, and I thoroughly enjoy performing with the UEA Symphony Orchestra and flute choir, as well as taking part in further solo opportunities, for example with the Chamber Choir. I am incredibly excited to further my musical development thanks to the support of the music award, which allows me to continue taking lessons and to participate in masterclasses and events. This year, I have been leading flute choir, which has been thoroughly enjoyable and has helped me develop stronger leadership skills, which I plan to continue building next year.

My name is Elizabeth and I am studying Medicine. I started my music experience on the piano and then I learnt the flute which I have now been playing for 13 years with my most recent achievements being DipABRSM Flute, Grade 8 Piano and Grade 8 Music Theory. I really enjoy playing in ensembles and at UEA, I play in the UEA Symphony Orchestra, Concert band, Flute choir and I co-run the Wind Quartet. I have also had the exciting opportunity to play in the pit band for this year's DMTS musical 'Legally Blonde' which was such an amazing experience. Outside of UEA music, I am a member of an Army Reserve Band which has helped me improve my performance skills. I am incredibly grateful to be a Music Award holder and I will continue to make full use of all the incredible musical opportunities UEA has to offer.

I am originally from Hong Kong and I am a first-year Occupational Therapy student at UEA. I play the clarinet, and at UEA, I have been playing in both the orchestra and clarinet choir, which has helped me rediscover my love for playing as part of an ensemble. Before starting at UEA, I occasionally searched for musical opportunities at the university, as I hoped to pick up the clarinet again after not playing for two years. Receiving the UEA Music Centre Award has definitely motivated me to return to playing, which has been both enjoyable and rewarding. The UEA music community has been incredibly welcoming and friendly, and being part of it has helped me regain my confidence as a clarinettist. I am grateful for the opportunity to reconnect with music alongside my studies, and I hope to continue contributing to the music community at UEA in the future.

Hi, I'm Jaz and I am in my final year studying for my integrated master's in Environmental Science. I have been involved in the Music Centre since my first year; in the Chamber Choir where I sing alto and the Symphony Orchestra as a violist. This is my second year as a Music Centre Award holder, and I am so grateful for the opportunity! The award has enabled me to continue singing lessons which have been a real help to me over this past year as a way to destress from the madness of my master's. This year I also had the opportunity to perform at the Award Holder's concert which was an amazing experience and helped me to regain my confidence and sing in front of people again which I wouldn't have felt able to do without the support of the award and the amazing Music Centre team.

This year has been a wonderful one for music! In addition to the regular Chamber Choir and Symphony Orchestra concerts I have been part of performances around campus with the Baroque Ensemble and Symphony Orchestra, performed on the violin for the first time in years in the band for Minotaur Cabaret, and had an amazing time with the Music Society String Ensemble growing as a musician! It has been amazing to be part of such a musical community.

I’m Tom and I am currently studying Sustainable Development in my first year at UEA. Music has been my passion since primary school and remains a vital part of my life at UEA. Growing up with musical parents, I have been playing musical instruments since I was 7, this has included lessons in piano, bass guitar, guitar and drums, with the first two remaining as my main instruments. Having grown up playing in church bands, and a variety of bands in secondary school and sixth form, including jazz and rock bands, my main when starting at UEA was to form a rock band. This was amazingly achieved on the third day of welcome week when I met two guitarists at the UEA music welcome. Since then, we found a drummer and a singer and started the band Sinkhole, where we have played in gigs across the city. Along with performance, my main musical passion is in composition, where I write a variety of music including orchestral film music, solo piano, as well as being a part of the writing process of my band. Since joining UEA, I have been grateful for the number of creative outlets that have been available to me, including the piano rooms that I use almost daily to compose, as well as the societies such as music production and RAMS that have allowed me the opportunity to write music within like-minded groups.

I’m Shanya and I’m a first year medical student at UEA. Music has always played a significant role in my life, as I started playing the violin when I was 5 years old and the harp when I was 6 and begun singing around the same time. I am now proud to say I have achieved ARSM diploma in Harp, grade 8 in classical singing and diploma in musical theatre singing and am working towards finishing my ARSM diploma in violin this summer. I incorporate music in my daily life by playing in several orchestras and charity concerts outside of university, and as music scholar, have really enjoyed participating in both concerts in the UEA symphony orchestra this year. As a medical student, I have a very intense course and music helps give me an external environment to relax and I find immense joy through playing. Through the orchestra and music at UEA, I’ve made some really good friends and enjoyed working alongside some very talented individuals. Next year I hope to bring my harp with me to UEA to take part in the orchestra again and play in other gigs and concerts around the university as well as further developing my skills. I am extremely grateful to be a holder of a music scholarship at UEA and I am looking forward to further sharing my passion for music with others and contributing to music at UEA.

I’m Liv, a first-year Geography student at UEA, and a mezzo-soprano singer and violinist. Music has always been a large part of my life. Growing up in a musical family, it was part of who I was from an early age. I began learning the violin at 7 and started vocal lessons at 11, developing a love for performing and ensemble music. Being part of a variety of groups throughout my childhood not only strengthened my musical ability but taught me the importance of connection through music. Since arriving at UEA, I have become a member of the UEA Choir, Chamber Choir, and the student-led String Ensemble. These groups have allowed me to continue performing alongside my degree while becoming part of a wonderful musical community. The opportunity to balance academic study with music was a key factor in choosing UEA, and the Music Scholarship scheme has made that balance possible. Music provides a great creative focus outside my studies and remains an essential part of my university life. I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities the scholarship offers and look forward to continuing to contribute to musical life at UEA.