UNIVERSITY NEWS LAST UPDATED : 13 JULY 2023
Three Music students have received awards for undertaking activities relating to pedagogy and community engagement.
Students Eryna Kisumba (cello) and Matilda Wale (voice) won the Undergraduate Pedagogy Prize, and Jordan Kinsey (tenor trombone) was the postgraduate winner.
All three presented applications that demonstrated an impressive track record of activity, as well as ambitious and aspirational plans for their future pedagogical development.
Each year, RBC awards prizes to final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students who have engaged with a wide range of activities relating to pedagogy and community engagement work. This is in addition to taking part in taught modules in this field.
There was a high number of top-quality applications this year from students engaging in creative activities. These included everything from vocal work in hospitals and music workshops in community settings, through to working with young people with additional needs and producing tutor books to help students take their first steps in playing an instrument.
On receiving the award, Matilda Wale, who has developed an extensive body of experience working in healthcare settings, said: “I am delighted to receive this award and look forward to exploring more music-making opportunities in the wider Birmingham community.”
Eryna Kisumba has established her own workshops, which build on the success of her final project, as well as gained experience in RBC’s Learning and Participation Department. Eryna said: “I am so honoured to have received the Undergraduate Pedagogy Prize! Thank you to everyone at RBC who has supported me this academic year. I look forward to putting into practice all I have learned during my studies.”
Jordan Kinsey, who has been working as part of RBC’s ARCO programme and supporting Birmingham Contemporary Music Group’s Music Maze workshops, said: “I'm so pleased to be selected for the Postgraduate Pedagogy Prize. It's a very meaningful acknowledgement of my commitment to music education.”
Head of Pedagogy Dr Adam Whittaker said: “As always, we are immensely proud of the fantastic achievements and contributions our students and graduates make in this area, going on to support music-making across the region and inspiring another generation of musicians.
“It has been such a privilege to see the passion and commitment that all the applicants showed to sharing music and creating spaces for others to be creative and make music together. We are immensely proud of all the work our students are doing in this area. Bravo to all who applied for everything that you are doing and a special congratulations to our three winners.”