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Fusing Latin-American traditional music into classical and jazz compositions is no easy task. Just ask Eliana Echeverry, a composer and arranger from Colombia who works with different artists to find that sweet spot to bring her sound to life. Her tireless efforts have brought her music all around the world, from the US all the way to Argentina and, most recently, the UK, where she was named as one of five London Philharmonic Orchestra’s Young Composers for 2023/24, a programme that supports the progression of talented young orchestral composers.
In the same year, Femi Koleoso and Joe Armon-Jones, two of five musicians who make up the jazz quintet Ezra Collective, took home the Mercury Prize for their album, “Where I’m Meant to Be.” The Mercury Prize is the coveted album of the year award honouring musicians from Britain and Ireland. Dubbed an “uplifting and timely record,” the album is the first jazz act to win the prize in its 30-year history.
While they differ in genre, instruments, and styles, Echeverry, Koleoso, and Armon-Jones have one thing in common: they are all from Trinity Laban. Located in experimental and progressive London, the conservatoire is the only conservatoire in England delivering training and education in both disciplines, giving space for you to cultivate your artistic voice. This student-centred conservatoire empowers and equips young creatives from diverse backgrounds to succeed, with music departments in composition, jazz, keyboard, strings, vocal studies, wind, brass and percussion, music education, popular music and musical theatre.
Mercury Prize nominees Nubya Garcia, Emma-Jean Thackray, SEED Ensemble, Moses Boyd, and Dinosaur are living proofs of Trinity Laban’s success in transforming individuals and enriching society. Another graduate, Corrie Dick, a musician specialising in drums and percussion, is on his way to perform at Edinburgh Tradfest, Glasgow Jazz Festival, Edinburgh Jazz Festival, and other notable festivals later this year with his musical partner Norman Willmore under the name Norman&Corrie.
Trinity Laban has an excellent track record of alumni success and employability. Source: Trinity Laban
Before going on to do great things in the industry, these musicians were once students of Trinity Laban’s Bachelor of Music (BMus) (Hons) Music Composition / Performance / Jazz, BMus (Hons) Jazz and BA (Hons) Music Performance and Industry programmes. The last BA is run by the Popular Music department, a thriving space led by industry professionals with invaluable experience in music technology and production, running record labels, and songwriting. Teaching staff include Tony Briscoe, Paramdeep Sokhy, and Dan Murphy.
These are the sort of professors and tutors that turned pianist Melissa Walker’s love for anime and game music into a performer with an original work hailed by The Guardian as a “wintry composition, which has soul flowing through its fingers.” Performed in the festive edition of Channel 4’s “The Piano” programme, it wowed the judges — international pianist Lang Lang and pop star Mika — and audiences alike.
For Melissa, the BA (Hons) Music Performance and Industry is a way for her to broaden her improvisational skills and discover new genres. “After graduating from Trinity Laban, I hope to work as a successful neoclassical composer, playing in various London locations, putting my music on streaming services, and perhaps even writing soundtracks for motion pictures,” she says.
As a Trinity Laban graduate, she’s likely to realise all her aspirations — like those before her have. Just as many return to gain more advanced skills and knowledge by pursuing postgraduate programmes such as Master of Arts (MA) Music Education, MA Music Education and Performance, Master of Music (MMus), and Master of Education (MEd) Music Education. A brand-new online MA in Songwriting will be launched in September of next year.
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Whichever programme you choose, you’ll be part of the most exciting and sought after music scene in one of the great cultural cities of the world. Choosing Trinity Laban means immersing yourself in London and making invaluable lifelong industry contacts. This summer alone, there are events taking place every month, from festivals and contemporary operas to commissioned works and musicals. Every act is a chance to get inspired by different artforms and meet the visionaries behind them.
“I’ve just met so many people through playing jazz that I never would have met otherwise and the connections I’ve made are really meaningful,” says student Kezia Pollendine. “I love the London jazz scene because it is diverse and representative of what London actually is.”
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