Davina Brownrigg

Music (Voice) BMus

From an early love of music, first through violin and later singing, Davina pursued a degree at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where a pivotal outreach module in Music and Health shaped her career path. Now, Davina is a freelance community musician with a range of projects on the go.

“When I was a baby, I couldn't stop bouncing to music. My mum took me to baby music classes and then when I reached school age, I took up the violin. Through school I was determined to be a violinist, but in my teenage years I developed a wrist injury, and my singing took over. I gained a place at a Junior Conservatoire in London studying on Saturdays. In my late teenage years, I performed in more musicals and oratorios and decided the singing path was the one for me!

I categorically did not feel university was the right fit for me. I've always completed academic work where required, but I have always been more interested in the practical side of music and performing. A conservatoire offered the chance to weigh my degree heavily in practice as opposed to theory and opened doors to opportunities and connections in the musical world I don't believe I would have had otherwise. The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (RBC) felt like a friendly environment compared to some other conservatoires which felt 'stiff' in comparison. I felt like I would be well supported through my studies by the faculty.

A huge highlight of studying at RBC would be my third-year module in Music and Health which offered me a placement making music in a children's hospital ward. Through the first and second year of my degree, I had become preoccupied with making every note I sang perfect - the outreach module reminded me that the reason I loved singing was to see the joy it brought other people. That module shaped the course of the rest of my degree and my career.

I was lucky enough to set up my own fourth year Major Project running music sessions in a variety of Special Educational Needs (SEND) and Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulty (PMLD) settings, where I learned how to fund a project myself, make connections and create meaningful music making sessions in an outreach capacity. That third-year module and my major project have propelled me into a wide range of community music career opportunities.

During my studies, I was a part of the Chamber Choir which felt like an elite badge to hold. The ensemble sounded incredible, and, with my dyslexia, I always felt I had to work harder than some others in the ensemble to ensure my sight reading and music learning was up to speed. I think this also hugely shaped my strong work ethic.

In my final year, I also took on the Learning and Participation trainee placement which the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra (CBSO) offered through the conservatoire. This gave me an opportunity to get an inside look at how an organisation like CBSO create their outreach projects, from the admin side through to the planning, delivery and performance.

Although I went into RBC convinced that I only wanted to be a full-time performer, I had my eyes opened to how a career in music can be multifaceted. I feel fortunate that I do work as a full-time musician without having to explore non-music related roles. The conservatoire opened many of these doors for me, even with simple small modules focuses on topics such as CV writing and setting up a website.

My current work as a freelance community musician is really varied. At present, I am working for a music charity improving music provision and providing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) for staff in the Early Years sector across Birmingham. Additionally, I am running several CPD sessions myself about Early Childhood Music for both nursery teachers and staff in senior positions. I work for Parkinson's UK as a singing teacher with group singing sessions several times a month. For Welsh National Opera, I work in an outreach capacity in a Birmingham school where I run weekly workshops with children aiming to create a mini opera by the end of the academic year.

Two days a week I work in maintained nurseries as a music teacher running engaging group and free play music sessions. I'm currently also working for a new startup charity directing an opera with 280 children and professional opera singers that will be performed at one of the biggest theatres in Birmingham.

The initial period after leaving RBC, where I needed to make contacts and go to interviews, was very daunting. However, I think my enthusiasm shone through at interviews, alongside some lovely references from faculty staff. This meant I was soon rehired for projects or referred to other organisations who were looking for someone with my skill set without having to keep applying for roles myself. I almost had to replicate this whole process after Covid, and I also had two children during the pandemic. However, reconnecting with old contacts meant I was soon able to find and rebuild my portfolio career again.

I've been incredibly lucky to have had such a diverse freelance career. I would say my proudest achievement is being able to make a career doing the things I love; performing, choral singing, directing operas and musicals, outreach and community work.

My advice to fellow graduates would be don't panic if you're not an 'overnight success'. It can take time to build a portfolio career. Utilise the contacts you have made through your studies and don't be afraid to take a leap trying a new challenge even if it's not something you've explored before.

Many of my friends growing up were put off the idea of taking music further as a qualification, as it was seen as frivolous or not leading to a career with financial security. However, I've seen my peers either create a beautiful music career or utilise their wide skillset gained at RBC to become hugely successful at whichever career they have turned their hand to. Jump in with both feet and explore everything the course has to offer.”