Student Story | An Interview With Lily

Tell us a bit about yourself

Hi, my name is Lily, and I’ve been at BSG for over four years. For A Levels, I chose Music, Maths, and Chinese. The majors I applied for were mainly focused on music for new media.

In the UK, I received offers from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama—my final choice—and Trinity Laban Conservatoire. In the U.S., I was accepted to Berklee College of Music, the Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins University, and CalArts.

My interest in music composition began during my GCSE Music course. The pieces we studied and the creative activities in class were truly inspiring and sparked my passion for writing music.

Why did you choose to pursue Music?

For me, building a passion for music has been a gradual process. But there was a turning point in Year 11, when I was working on my final composition. During that time, I realised I was actually good at it—I enjoyed the challenges of writing and refining the piece, and my teacher told me it sounded amazing. That experience gave me the confidence to seriously pursue a career in music.

What part of your journey at BSG helped shape or deepen your interest in this field?

Probably the After School Activities. I joined the orchestra in Year 9 and learned to play the timpani. I was also part of the secondary choir, and I play piano and sing in the Jazz Trio ASA—we did a couple of performances last year. This year, we had the chance to be part of the BSG Production, which we performed last month. Working with the actors and singers in such a large ensemble was a valuable experience for me.

What was the biggest challenge you faced during the university application process — and how did you overcome it?

I would say the interviews were the most challenging part. It was stressful because you only have 20 to 30 minutes to impress the professors and make yourself stand out.

For the Berklee interview, I practiced a lot on the piano since it included a live audition. I also prepared questions to ask each university and did research on their websites beforehand. This helped me feel well-prepared and showed that I was genuinely interested.

What do you think made your application stand out to the admissions team？

In my personal statement, I listed all the performances I’ve been part of and the music groups I’ve joined, to show that I have a wide range of interests. In Year 12, I also took part in the peer mentoring programme, supporting a younger student, and I completed a course on Safeguarding—which I think is quite special and meaningful.

What was the most valuable support you received from the university counselling team?

I couldn’t have done it without Ms. Lynn, our university counselor, who helped me manage different accounts and gave me advice on my personal statements. It was quite tricky because I was applying to two different countries. The application process was sometimes overwhelming, but Ms. Lynn made sure I submitted all the materials on time.

Were there any standout moments at BSG that you’ll never forget?

Being part of the secondary production this year! I have never been in a production before, and it’s very different from playing solo or in an orchestra. You need to be flexible during rehearsals because things change quickly, and unexpected situations always happen during live performances — you have to be prepared. I've also learned to take responsibility for my role, which has strengthened my understanding of teamwork. I’m sure I will carry these values with me into university.

How has BSG supported you both inside and outside the classroom?

I completed the Bronze Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award (IA) in Year 12. To be honest, IA was quite a challenge for me, mainly because of the expedition. But thanks to Ms Millar and all the school staff who supported us, we completed it. It was a two-day journey where we climbed mountains and camped overnight. At the time, I wasn’t very strong in PE, so I really had to push myself beyond my limits. I still remember how the teachers encouraged me the whole way and helped take care of the injuries in my group. It was incredibly rewarding to know that I could complete the journey just like everyone else.

What advice would you give to younger students at BSG who hope to follow a similar path?

First, make use of all the resources available at BSG. Whether you're interested in composing, performing music, or acting in drama, there's likely an ASA that suits you—and it could be your starting point. If you're passionate about what you’re doing, you’ll have the energy to face any challenges that come your way.

Second, don’t be afraid to show yourself. When I first started writing music, I often doubted myself—should I share my ideas? Is it too embarrassing? That lack of confidence disappeared the moment I shared my work with my composition teacher. Because in the end, it doesn’t matter if it’s perfect or not—what matters is that you took the step, and now you’re getting feedback and growing. So if you're interested in acting, go sign up for next year’s production. If your dream is to be a singer or to play an instrument, start practicing and get on stage.

What are you most excited about as you start this new chapter at university in this autumn?

I’m very excited to study film music at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. Music and cinema are my top two interests, and this course allows me to explore both at the same time. I’m also looking forward to collaborating with students majoring in film and performing arts—and hopefully, one day, seeing my name appear in the credits of a short film. After completing my undergraduate studies, I plan to take a year for an internship, then continue with graduate studies in music. My goal is to start my own studio with the right team and turn music composition into my profession.