School of Music

Alumni

Creative and talented, our graduates can be found in all areas of the music profession, as well as in many other fields.

Here some of these graduates tell us how studying music has helped them professionally, look back on their time at Cardiff, and share some of their favourite memories.

Our alumni

Phillip Cooke (PhD 2008)

Phillip Cooke (PhD 2008) studied at the School of Music and is now Head of Music at the Department of Music at the University of Aberdeen. He credits the teaching opportunities he was given as a PhD student in helping with his future career and giving him the necessary experience needed when applying for positions
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David John Roche (BMus 2012)

David John Roche (BMus 2012) studied at the School of Music and is now a full time composer. He credits the school with setting him up for the future and describes it as “the most supportive institution” he has ever studied at.
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Gareth Churchill (PhD 2008)

Freelance composer Gareth Churchill (PhD 2008) returned to Wales for postgraduate study and attributes his working methodologies to Cardiff University’s School of Music.
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Sebastián Wanumen Jiménez (MA 2015)

Sebastián Wanumen Jiménez (MA 2015) is a Lecturer in History of Music and Musical Analysis at Corpas University, Bogotá. Sebastián carried out an MA in Musicology at the School of Music.
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Ruth Morris (BMus 2009, MA 2010)

Ruth Morris (BMus 2009, MA 2010) studied both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the School of Music. She now works for Tenovus Cancer Care as one of their choir leaders.
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Tony Woodcock (BA Music, 1974)

Tony Woodcock (BA Music 1974) is the founder and president of Scolopax Arts, a leading consultancy firm for higher education and the performing arts. He is the former President of the New England Conservatory in Boston, USA. As a veteran fundraiser, negotiator and institutional reformer, he has made dynamism and fresh ideas the foundation of
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Michael Lydon (MA, 2015)

Michael Lydon (MA, 2015) is a Lecturer and Course Coordinator at the National University of Ireland, Galway. He studied his masters in Music, Culture and Politics at the School of Music.
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Kit Denison (BMus 2013)

Kit Denison (BMus 2013) works as an Assistant Producer for the internationally renowned performance company, Clod Ensemble who are known for their work which takes place in traditional theatre spaces, festivals, galleries and found and public spaces.
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Thomas Breeze (BMus 2001, MA 2003)

Playing, singing, recording and rehearsing were all elements of BMus Music that Thomas Breeze (BMus 2001) relished while studying at the School of Music. His passion for music has continued and he is now Programme Leader, PGCE Secondary Music at Cardiff Metropolitan University.
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Rachel Mason (BMus 2003)

Rachel Mason (BMus 2003) studied her undergraduate degree at the School of Music. She went on to study a Master’s before carving out an award-winning career as a songwriter. Most recently, she has been on Sky 1 as one of the judges on Sing: Ultimate A Cappella. I wanted to study a wide range of musical genres
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My Cardiff is… at the podium in St David’s Hall

Michael Bell (BMus 1980) is the founder of the Cardiff Philharmonic Orchestra.
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Rachel Mason (BMus 2003) shares her experiences of being a judge on a TV singing show

Being a part of this show has been a highlight of my career. I was chosen to be a judge due to all the skills, qualifications and experiences I’ve accumulated throughout my time in the music industry. It’s lovely to look back across my career and know that each step, every success and failure has led me here failure has led me here.
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Angelica Bomford (BA 2014)

Angelica Bomford (BA 2014) studied music while at Cardiff University. She took time out from her current role with English National Opera to talk to us about her studies and her experiences since. Cardiff University has many attractive characteristics – the fact that it’s in a capital city means that there are plenty of musical events
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