2018/19 scholarship students
In 2018/19 we expanded our scholarship programme to include performing arts and creative writing / spoken word as well as our existing, multiple music scholarships. In addition to receiving a cash prize, for the first time each scholar was given a tailored package of free tuition or mentoring in order to develop their talents further.
They were also encouraged to contribute to the creative life of the campus by organising their own arts events and / or performing at University events. Our music scholars were showcased in the annual Music Scholars Recital in May 2019.
You can watch interviews and find out more about a selection of the 2018/19 scholarship winners below.
Ada Ughanwa
Creative Writing / Spoken Word
Ada has enjoyed creative writing ever since she was in year 11, after discovering her way with words when she wrote short stories in English.
Her love for spoken word only stemmed when she attended the Victory Youth Group, as she was involved in a lot of activities which involved creating spoken word pieces or poems. She still attends the youth group as it has really benefited her and continues to do so.
Whilst at Loughborough University she attended one of the Speech Bubble events in her first year which she really enjoyed. For Ada, going to Speech Bubble was a huge step out of her comfort zone as it was her first time performing in front of an audience. Since then Ada has performed at the Round House and Wandsworth Council Chambers. She also took part in a master class with Joelle Taylor and Travis Alabanza over the summer.
This year she attended the creative writing workshop whereby her writing skills were enhanced and she was awarded with the Creative Writing / Spoken Word scholarship to enhance her creative writing skills.
Michael Asolo
Creative Writing / Spoken Word
Michael, having begun performing spoken word in 2018, had shown a flare for creative writing, poetry and their applications in campus life and beyond.
With his undergraduate study in Chemical Engineering and dedication to development in expressive endeavours under the tutelage of Loughborough creative writing and spoken word scholarship, he hopes to become the epitome of a well-rounded Loughborough ambassador.
Aidan Kilby
Performing arts (dance)
Aidan has always been interested in performing and has been involved in productions in school and professional theatres since an early age.
After playing Billy Elliot in a touring production, aged 10, he gave up his swimming and rugby clubs in order to focus more on dance and achieved vocational grades in ballet, tap and modern as well as acting and public speaking.
Since secondary school, Aidan's passion has always been to encourage male dance, having been aware of negative perceptions and the resulting stigma at times in his school life. Aidan is keen to challenge perceptions of male dance and ballet by merging genres and opening up access to all.
Whilst at Loughborough University, Aidan has enjoyed dancing with the LSDC in a number of their groups and has taken part in many performances. Now in his second year, he wants to focus on encouraging more outside dance groups and teachers to work with the LSDC, which will hopefully widen its appeal and increasing the number of students who participate in dance.
Hannah Rayner
Music (instrumental - flute)
Hannah was first introduced to classical music when she started ballet at the age of four. When she was seven, she began learning the flute. Since then, she has achieved her ABRSM Flute Grades 1-8 and has performed regularly to consistently reach higher-levels of playing. Hannah also studied A Level Music where she explored the theory behind a wide-variety of musical styles and genres and learnt musical composition.
Since joining Loughborough to study Industrial Design in 2015, Hannah has been a committed member of the LSU Classical Society and Stage Society, where she has enjoyed performing to audiences regularly. Hannah has also had an active role on both committees and feels passionately about widening the presence of both societies on campus.
Following her first Music Scholarship Award in 2016, Hannah founded the Loughborough Flute Choir which brought together flautists of mixed abilities and organised opportunities for the group to perform at university events. She also receives subsidised music tuition awarded to her by LU Arts.
Since joining Loughborough, Hannah has engaged in improving the presence of arts on Loughborough campus and this year, her goal is to make more students aware of the arts opportunities Loughborough University has to offer - both during their university application process and at their time of study.
Joshua Ireland
Music (instrumental – percussion)
Joshua has been playing percussion since the age of 8 and has been a member of numerous ensembles from school and local bands to national ensembles, including the National Youth Brass Band of Wales.
Whilst at Loughborough University, he has continued his music and has joined both Tuxedo Swing and LSU Classical. He enjoys playing both the drum kit and general percussion with both ensembles and hopes to continue playing with them for the remainder of his time at Loughborough.
He was awarded the Loughborough Music scholarship and hopes to make a positive impact on the musical life on campus.
Ifan Llewlyn
Music (instrumental – violin / trombone)
Since a young age, Ifan has been interested in music and has played a number of instruments, achieving a grade 8 on trombone and a diploma on the violin during his time in school.
From when he was 8 up until 14, Ifan played with the National Childrens Orchestra and has enjoyed playing in instrumental groups ever since.
As a first year in Loughborough, he takes part in both the Tuxedo swing jazz band and the LSU classical societies, enjoying a wide variety of pieces to perform, form Dvorak’s 8th symphony to the Lord of the Rings soundtrack.
Between terms he is also involved with the National Youth Windband and Orchestra of Wales.
Sean Roche-Watson
Music (choral)
Whilst Sean has always had a keen interest in music of all kinds, his formal singing career only started in earnest in his final year at sixth form after attending an Eton choral course. He then successfully auditioned for his School’s liturgical choir as a tenor, performing major choral works and solos at concerts and various religious institutions around the country including Westminster Abbey and Winchester Cathedral.
Singing with the choir then gave him the confidence to try out for his school musical, performing as the maniacal Beadle Bamford in the School Production of Sweeney Todd, ‘The Demon Barber of Fleet Street’.
Despite wishing to pursue a degree in Engineering, Sean is keen to continue his singing career, expand his vocal capabilities and branch out into new musical genres. To this end, after joining Loughborough University, he has started singing lessons through LU Arts, and has now successfully auditioned as one of the lead vocalists with the Loughborough University Big band ‘Tuxedo Swing’.
Under Jenny Saunders' singing tutelage he was encouraged to apply for the Loughborough Music Scholarship and was successful in obtaining a choral scholarship.
Daniel Moss
Music (choral)
When arriving at Loughborough University, Daniel joined Stage Society and auditioned for their production of Hairspray where he landed his first ever musical role of Link Larkin.
Since then he has been involved in many productions, having played roles such as the plant in Little Shop of Horrors and Jack in Into the Woods. After pursuing music, he was awarded with the Loughborough Music Scholarship last year.
Since then he's been involved in several shows and continues to work with LU Arts singing tutor towards his DipLCM in Musical Theatre. He was fortunate enough to be awarded one of the Choral Scholarships this year, so keep an eye out for him performing around campus in a variety of shows, next up is Welfare & Diversity's charity showcase: Loughborough's Got Talent.
Michael Harry
Music (singer-songwriter / contemporary)
Michael is a gospel music artist who loves to uplift the name of Jesus through his music, and stir encouragement, hope and fun with his listeners. He is a lover of people and is currently undertaking a PhD at the prestigious Loughborough University Design School.
Born and raised in Nigeria, he honed his talent from high school and church, and gradually developed a good vocal range and artistry in RnB, Soul, Pop, Country and Reggae genres. Though he struggled with his musical confidence, with the support of family and friends, he bravely recorded his first studio album in 2009 and another in 2015, along with live concerts annually.
In spite of the loss of both parents, his driving passion is to make valuable impact in the lives of people through his music and lifestyle. Hence, being at Loughborough University has afforded him great opportunities to meet other aspiring musicians, form bands, use practice rooms and dream big. He has faithfully organised / hosted two major concerts annually, at Christmas and late-Spring.