As I reflect on my journey since I joined Blackheath High School in Year 5, I’m incredibly grateful to have been surrounded by a diverse and supportive community that has helped to shape who I am and allowed me to pursue my music passion. My involvement in the Music department and in the Head Student Team (HST) have been a crucial part to my journey. 

During my time as Deputy Head Student of Diversity and Inclusion, I have been committed to ensuring that all students feel heard, supported and valued. I worked with the HST and other Diversity & Inclusion student representatives to hep nurture a community that celebrates everyone’s unique backgrounds. Some events I had the privilege of hosting include the LGBTQIA sponge a teacher charity event, the Black History Month film-for-charity event with ‘Hidden Figures’ shown in the Theatre, and the Dyslexia & Music collaboration assembly. Additionally, the Diversity & Inclusion board will be soon made public, and this will especially feature the nationality and heritage map of students and staff.  

Thanks to my Music journey, I have had the opportunity to perform in numerous concerts including many termly concerts, and in the Scholar concerts. I have performed as a harpist in Sinfonia and as the principal violinist, as well as a violinist in the Senior String Quartet and in Jazz Band. Beyond my school commitments, I have been a member of Junior Royal Academy of Music for the past five years. One of my most memorable concerts was Ravel’s ‘Daphnis and Chloe’, which was performed in Cadogan Hall! My JRAM (Junior Royal Academy of Music) trio performed the ‘Interlude’ from Debussy’s Trio for Flute, Viola, and Harp. I also performed in the semifinal of Gregynog’s Young Musician Competition 2024.  

As I near the end of Year 13 and prepare for the next phase of my education, I am very proud to say that I have received all my Conservatoire choices, which are the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music, Trinity, and Guildhall. All my experiences have fuelled my passion for Music and my decision to pursue it professionally. While I didn’t always envision myself as a musician, it was during the beginning of Sixth Form that I realised I wanted to take this path.  

Looking ahead now, I am very excited to accept a place to study the harp at the Royal Academy of Music Conservatoire, starting this September! I am eager to meet more like-minded people and to perform even more. I aspire to perform as a soloist, and with chamber ensembles and orchestras. Additionally, I want to explore jazz harp, even though this genre is rare. I aspire to play in a jazz band, perhaps in famous venues, such as Ronnie Scott’s! Through various performances, I can continue to share my music with others. I have always considered music as my personal world, and it is a creative outlet for me to express my myself and my emotions.  

Talking about the future - and the future of those that follow in our Head Student Team footsteps - I am thrilled to announce the next six members in the team: Phoebe, Enay, Reese, Daniela, Anna-Faye and Stella. Best of luck to everyone next year! 

Written by Tiana, Head Student Team, Year 13