Lauren studied Music with us from 2016–2018 and has gone on to build an exciting career in live music and tour and production management.
What course did you study and when?
BTEC Level 3 Music - 2016 - 2018
What have you done, so far, since completing your studies at college? Tell us your story!
After finishing college I went straight onto university at Spirit Studios in Manchester to study a BSc Studio & Live Sound Engineering degree.
Whilst at university I began shadowing and volunteering in most of my free time, in venues in Manchester, then a summer of festivals working for Engine no4 through an internship programme.
When I graduated from university, I moved to London as I'd managed to secure a job at Metropolis recording studio in Chiswick, this is an extremely prolific studio so was a huge achievement for me. This came from a contact I had made on the college school trip to Strongroom Studios in London!
After working at Metropolis for 9 months I found myself missing live music and the fast pace of live events, I had stayed in contact with people in Manchester and decided to move back to begin my career in Tour & Production Management and made the switch to that from Sound Engineering. I was mentored kindly by Tommy who runs Back On Your Heads, a Tour & Production company and the rest is history! This was in 2021 (so all this only a couple years after I had left college!).
Since then I have toured and worked with the likes of: Annie Mac, Bicep, Avatar, Metallica, Dizzee Rascal, Sub Focus, Paul Heaton & at festivals Parklife, Kendal Calling, Boardmasters & Lost Village.
Why did you choose to study at Kendal College?
I had initially thought I would go on to study at school doing A Levels, but when it became clear I wanted to pursue a career in music, changing my plan to attend Kendal College was a big decision, but I knew it was the right one. It was the best formative decision I made that kicked off my whole career to date. The facilities, the creative environment and the pace of learning at college really sets you up in an early stage for developing a career in this industry.
What did you like most about studying with us?
I liked the social and collaborative environment at college, it really makes you feel like you've 'grown up' and progressed into a stage of your life past secondary school, which I think is really helpful in building the confidence you need to do well in the music industry.
Do you feel that college helped you decide on your next steps?
Absolutely. If my tutor hadn't sat down with me in the college studio and showed me how to use the console and recording software, I wouldn't have thought sound engineering could be a career path for me.
Do you have any favourite memories from your time at Kendal College?
I had a lot of good times in the practice rooms with the various bands I had over my time at college. Having independence in those sessions to see where ideas took us was refreshing, and we had a great laugh most of the time. I have very fond memories of my time at college.
