Hadewych van Gent, the featured student on our new Guide, is part of our community of music makers. As she prepares to graduate with an Advanced Diploma, we speak to her about her experience studying here.

Are you considering the Academy as the next step in your musical journey? Read our new Guide to find out more about studying here.

For additional inspiration, you can also enjoy a performance of Bach’s Cello Suite No 3 in C by Hadewych below, filmed on the Academy’s rooftop.

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING CELLO? WHAT WAS YOUR INTRODUCTION TO MUSIC?

My father was a musician when I was growing up. He had a beautiful ensemble called Antequera. They took medieval and Renaissance folk songs and turned them into longer pieces. As a child, I was enchanted every time they rehearsed in the house.

Next to that my favourite CD was Hush with Yo-Yo Ma and Bobbie McFerrin. So cello playing and singing became my favourite instruments.

WHAT LED YOU TO STUDY HERE?

When I was still studying for my bachelor’s degree at the Conservatory of Amsterdam, I visited a friend who studied at the Academy. During that short time I was in the Academy, I met amazing musicians and really felt a sense of belonging. Years later when I had to take the next steps in my studies, I knew I wanted to study abroad to gain new musical experience and develop as a cellist. I can now confirm what I was expecting: studying abroad as a musician is very enriching for many areas of your life.

'Being able to record with such high-level sound engineers and to graduate from the Academy with your debut album made is a very special thing.'

What is one standout memory from your time at the Academy?

I had the opportunity to record an album with Linn Records which will be released this July, as part of the Academy’s Bicentenary Series. Being able to record with such high-level sound engineers and to graduate from the Academy with your debut album made is a very special thing.

What does the Academy mean to you?

To me, the Academy made all the difference in where I am as a musician and where I want to go in my career. Moving from Amsterdam to London opened my eyes to the diversity of music and how a great conservatoire in a big city can show you the possibilities of music. It is very hard to imagine what would have happened if I didn’t meet the people that I met and had the lessons that I had here.

'It is very hard to imagine what would have happened if I didn’t meet the people that I met and had the lessons that I had here.'

YOU ARE ABOUT TO GRADUATE WITH AN ADVANCED DIPLOMA, WHAT PROJECTS ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO NEXT?

I am really looking forward to creating and recording more repertoire for the combination of cello and voice simultaneously. Noticing that there is a space for musicians like me who want to create something slightly off the regular path is exciting and I am looking forward to exploring that space.

JS Bach: Cello Suite No 3 in C

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THE PIECE YOU ARE PERFORMING IN THE VIDEO. WHY IS IT SPECIAL TO YOU?

Bach is one of my favourite composers. Every time you play the cello suites it feels different. It grows with you and shows where you are in that moment like no other music does.

I think there is a certain improvisatory element to playing Bach that puts you in a very particular state. This movement of the first suite has a joyful simplicity to it. It affords the player to be playful. It is something that I like playing for fun, to warm up or to try out instruments, as well as seriously perform it.

'The Academy is a wonderful, friendly place full of very high-level musicians and teachers.'

What would you say to people considering coming to the Academy?

I think the Academy is a wonderful, friendly place full of very high-level musicians and teachers. There are a lot of opportunities which can make a big difference to your development. Not only the Academy but London as a city shows you the highest level and diversity in music and art. I would very much recommend learning in this inspiring environment!