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At RMS, our students embark on diverse paths, exemplified by Aneka’s achievement of securing a full sport and academic scholarship at Jacksonville State University, where she will be playing Tennis for 4 years.
Additionally, Melania has achieved a scholarship in Violin Performance at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, where she will pursue her studies for the next four years.
We caught up with year 13 student Aneka on her Tennis scholarship at Jacksonville State University USA:
This August I will be going to Jacksonville State University – a Division 1 University- where I will be playing tennis for 4 years on a full athletic and academic scholarship. I have been playing tennis since I was 5 years old and started to play competitively when I was 7.
Can you tell me about the process of applying for and receiving this sports scholarship and how RMS have supported you?
I applied for my scholarship through a tennis recruiting agency called Tennis Smart run by Sarah Borewell. I had to build a profile, submit videos and get my ranking up as high as possible by playing many matches and tournaments in order to get the best possible scholarship. Different colleges started to contact me but Jacksonville State was the standout university for me because of the high level of tennis.
RMS has given me the best support I could have ever asked for. They have given me so much flexibility with my timetable at school (missing some lessons for tournaments, taking time out of school for training) and the PE teachers have been amazing at working around me during all my tournaments in my A-level years.
Also, receiving a sports scholarship in year 9 has been a massive help to my parents for the funding of the training, travel and tournaments.
Without the support from this school, I don’t think this would have been possible- the constant support I have received from all the teachers has been amazing, not just the practical elements but the mental part to it as well.
Year 13 student Melania on her Violin performance scholarship:
Music has always been a significant part of my life. I was only eight years old, when I begged my parents to enrol me in music lessons. I started by singing and playing the violin. Later on, I picked up bass guitar and piano, as my secondary instruments. I decided early on, that I wish to dedicate my life to music.
Could you share your experience with the audition process for the music scholarship and how RMS have supported you?
Music has always been a significant part of my life. I was only eight years old, when I begged my parents to enrol me in music lessons. I started by singing and playing the violin. Later on, I picked up bass guitar and piano, as my secondary instruments. I decided early on, that I wish to dedicate my life to music.
When I came to RMS, I was able to work with my wonderful music and instrument teachers. They have helped my musical development immensely, not only by being absolute professionals, but also by providing the safest environment, where creativity and musicianship can flourish. I am forever grateful for the RMS Music Department, who have relentlessly supported me in my applications to study Violin Performance at UK conservatoires.
I got three offers from the Royal Scottish Conservatoire, Trinity Laban Conservatoire and Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, at which I have been granted a scholarship. Auditions can be nerve wracking, and being nervous is completely normal, however, once I started playing the violin, it felt like it was only me and my instrument present in the room. What is great about live auditions is that after you play your pieces, you get to have an interview with the panel, where they can get a glimpse of who you are as a musician, and as a person.
After I had my audition at RBC, the Head of Strings congratulated me, and offered me a place and a scholarship on the spot. It was the most surreal, and rewarding experience I have ever had as a musician.
I believe that studying violin performance at a conservatoire, in the next four years, will grant me with the chance to further develop my skills as a soloist, as well as an ensemble musician. Versatility and professionalism are core values, that are key for me to become the musician I aspire to be. I am excited to take the next step towards my future goal in September!
Congratulations to Aneka and Melania for their hard work and dedication which has earned them incredible opportunities. We wish them all the best as they embark on this next chapter later this year.