Guildhall Young Artists Online student gains a place on our BMus programme

A Guildhall Young Artist (GYA) Online student has successfully auditioned to join the first year of our BMus programme at Guildhall School. Matthew, who lives in Sydney, Australia, is currently studying on GYA Online’s recently renamed Pathways to Conservatoire course, which prepares young musicians for studying at a UK conservatoire or university while studying from the comfort of their own home.

Find out about Pathways to Conservatoire

We caught up with Matthew ahead of his move to London to ask about his time and experience studying on our high-level online course for talented young people from around the globe.

Why did you want to join GYA Online?

Since I was young, I’ve always enjoyed performing and learning music. I saw GYA Online as a perfect opportunity for me to not only grow this passion but also explore pursuing music after high school. I am based in Sydney, Australia which meant that the online programme was a fantastic opportunity to learn from leading teachers as well as to meet other musicians from all across the world. 

How has your experience been?

I have thoroughly enjoyed the GYA Online programme! I feel like I’ve grown so much as a musician. I have developed stronger aural skills and gained a much broader understanding of musical theory, which have also greatly supplemented my performances. The experience has also led me to decide to pursue music after high school and successfully applied to study at Guildhall in person in 2025! 

Tell us what it's like to study online

In addition to being incredibly flexible and accessible, I have felt extremely supported while studying online at Guildhall. All my classes have been very collaborative and in instances where I have had questions outside of class, I could directly contact any of my teachers. The only drawback to studying online was the time difference – being in Sydney meant that I had to attend classes at night! 

What have been your best bits?

The standout part of the programme for me was learning about the Romantic period. I have always enjoyed listening and performing pieces from this period and this has only heightened since contextualising these pieces through a deep-dive into the history and theory. Parts of this module that particularly resonated with me include our studies in symphonic poems and the life of Hector Berlioz (Symphonie fantastique is absolutely brilliant!) 

What's next for you?

I will be furthering my studies at Guildhall School this year. I am very excited to be moving to London and commencing the BMus programme. 

Why do you want to come to London? 

I visited London last year for the first time to attend Guildhall’s Vocal Summer School for Classical Singers. I was in awe of all the rich history, culture, music and arts in London and I can’t wait to return to experience more of it. I also had an amazing time during the summer programme and I am looking forward to continuing my studies in-person. 

What tips would you give to others considering applying for the course?

My biggest tip would be to just give it a go! I was initially very nervous about signing up to GYA Online, but since starting I can confidently say it was the best decision I made. The programme has helped me decide next steps in my journey to becoming a professional. And even if pursuing a career in music doesn’t align with you, it is an amazing opportunity to connect with other musicians and see yourself greatly develop as a musician.