In conversation with Bethan Sheldon, Centre for Young Musicians alumni

What are you working on at the moment?

I’m a second year biologist at Oxford Uni.

What is one standout memory from your time at Guildhall Young Artists Centre for Young Musicians (CYM)?

There was this wonderfully eccentric singing teacher we saw at the open day, and she completely captivated us. Her passion and brilliant enthusiasm drew me in, and was ultimately the reason my family selected Guildhall Young Artists CYM. I joined her senior choir, despite being a wind player and my primary studies being on initially clarinet and later bassoon.

How did your time at CYM shape your path?

I was able to try bassoon at a trial session to encourage students in this endangered instrument. Despite being trained on a single-reed instrument, I took to the double reed and was given a scholarship to learn by CYM. Having started at Easter, I was able to join some of the intermediate groups with the new academic year and with the support of a brilliant teacher took my grade 7 that Christmas. I have since played bassoon in university orchestras.

How do you apply what you learnt at CYM to your life now?

Joining a music school at 16 and engaging with a huge range of new music styles and groups was fundamental in developing my confidence, especially in the run up to academic interviews and exams. Music itself was also amazing at giving me an outside release from my academics. This has stayed with me at Oxford, and I have had the confidence to audition to different groups, give solo performances and enjoy playing informally with friends.

What advice would you give to current young musicians?

To engage in all and every opportunity given at Guildhall Young Artists. It was so inspiring to be in an environment with so many passionate and talented musicians and teachers who were generous with their time and willing to go the extra mile to make the experience as enriching as possible. I have so much respect and awe for the friends I made there, and am consistently surprised and excited to hear about the brilliant things they have gone onto achieve in a range of different contexts.

How did receiving a bursary impact your time at CYM?

Music comes at an immense cost, and coming from a family with two siblings meant that I felt unable to ask for another year of music school. The bursary therefore meant that I could pick up another instrument and stay for a second year at CYM. Having settled into the environment, the second year was fundamental in my musical development and playing bassoon continues to bring me joy. Being given a bursary also felt like an emotional endorsement from my teachers, and helped me to appreciate their belief in me as a person and musician, which was deeply valuable.

Is there something (musical) you haven't had the chance to work on yet, but would like to do so in the future?

I’d like to play more music from films and musicals on both bassoon and clarinet to maintain the skills I’ve learnt and have fun with like-minded musicians!

Find out more about Guildhall Young Artists, Guildhall School's network of centres that provides inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people.