It was a pleasure to welcome Imogen Lewis Holland (Class of 2007) back to Withington last Friday. Director of Music, Gilly Sargent, invited Imogen to talk to current pupils from Year 9 to Sixth Form about careers in music.

Although Imogen comes from a family of musicians, she only decided to take A Level Music and pursue music academically at the last minute. A talented violinist, she studied Music at the University of Oxford, followed by a year of studying singing in Germany.

An accident to her hand put her violin playing on hold and led her to explore different musical avenues, including administration at Decca Classics, London. After a couple of years, she joined Askonas Holt in artist management, and is now responsible for some of the finest classical artists in UK.

Imogen advised pupils that studying music academically will provide the right transferable skills sought by employers in many fields, including being creative, analytical and disciplined. Many of her friends who graduated in music are now enjoying varied careers in law, academia, teaching, and in government, as well as those who are professional musicians. Music itself is a fast-changing profession offering opportunities in PR, marketing, recording and performing.

Thank you, Imogen for sharing her experience and insights with our students.