Discussing options after Guildhall Young Artists

Matilda is a teenager who attends Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) Norwich is considering her options and as she approaches higher education. We chatted to Matilda about her experience at GYA Norwich and her aspirations for the future.

What’s your favourite music?

I listen to a lot of pop and what used to be called bedroom-pop but is now referred to as indie. When I make music, that’s what I reference.

My guilty pleasure is Lana Del Ray, but I listen to a lot of Shed Seven as well, so my music taste is quite diverse. I have classic Dad-rock stuff and really feminine pop, but I think it’s good to have that balance, because I’m a young woman and it’s good to see successful women in the industry.

What do you like about GYA?

I love seeing the same people every week and working with them too. I’ve been at GYA Norwich since it began, with the same people, and it’s really nice to see them develop as well. I’m still learning and growing as an artist and it’s good to see that others are doing the same – it’s really humanising. 

All the productions we’ve put on – even little shows that we’ve just performed to each other – have been really good. It’s a nice community and we all feel really comfortable with each other. For example, we did Horrible Histories sketches and it was nice to have something that’s not too serious, that we can work on and prepare. It was really fun.

What do you want to be when you grow up?

I’ve been thinking a lot more about this recently because I’m going to university soon. I’ve decided on the route – I love English and I love drama, so I’m thinking about literacy adaptations, like adapting a book into a film or a play. That really interests me at the moment, so probably something along those lines.

What have your learned from GYA?

I’ve learned to be more comfortable with myself and making mistakes. My teacher tells me all the time, it doesn’t matter if you’re wrong, as long as you’re confident, because that’s what people want to see and it’s reassuring.

What would you say to people considering GYA?

Just do it, it’s amazing. Honestly, it’s created so many opportunities for me and I’ve grown so much as a person since coming here. I’ve learned to work with other people of different ages, with children and adults, and it’s just really fun. It’s nice and relaxed but also the people who come here want to do what they’re doing, and they work well, which is a great environment to be in.

Tell us about your future plans

I’ve been looking at Guildhall School, because I come here already and I’m familiar with Guildhall. I applied for the Get Backstage course  and managed to get into that, so I’ll be visiting and seeing how I like it. I think this is a good opportunity to learn to get around and see if it’s the right environment for me. I’d love to go to Guildhall School, because it’s just amazing – it’s in a lovely part of London and from what I know, it’s a great environment to be in.

Did coming to GYA Norwich help with your decisions about next steps?

Yes absolutely. I’ve learned to work with people and take on a leadership role, and also take on other people’s ideas and criticisms – as well as praise. Also a lot of the teachers here went to Guildhall, used to teach there. or have been there in some sense, so I have lots of people to talk to if I’m not too sure of my decision. I think I’m quite well prepared.

How do you feel about moving away from home?

It’s quite a scary decision, but the way I view life, you only have it once, so I want to see as much as I can and experience as many aspects of life as I can. I think it’s quite scary moving to London, but equally it’s such a big city, there’s so many people to meet and so many things to do. It’s a new adventure and that’s what I’m looking for!

We hope that Matilda had a brilliant time on the Get Backstage course and wish her all the best for her journey into higher education.