Meet Our Alumni
When our students graduate they remain part of our growing community of creative professionals, and are often invited back to share their early career experiences with current students. We keep close links with them where we can, sharing projects, contacts, expertise and opportunities so they can move into the professional world with a community of support behind them.
“Students are given the opportunity to hone the skills that employers are looking for.”
Dom SmithProducer
Graduated: 2018
Current Work: MA Student & Freelance Producer
“Studying Music Production at York St. John provided me with a realistic and honest insight into the Music industry. It was emphasised at all times that as an individual you carve your own path and the more you invest in time and effort – the greater the rewards.
During my time as a student, I made full use of the facilities and equipment available acquiring the basis of the skillset needed to establish myself as a producer and engineer. I have gone on to work alongside artists such as The Howl & The Hum, Naked Six, Rachel Croft and Alex Ohm whilst engineering for Eliot Kennedy (Bryan Adams, Gary Barlow, The Spice Girls), Toby Hulbert (Bat for Lashes, Frank Ocean, Sting) and Lawrence Love-Greed (Chris Martin, Jay Z, Paul McCartney).
The best things about studying at York St. John were the accessibility of the lecturers (who are all recognised industry professionals) and the availability of the facilities 24/7. Highlights included working at Abbey Road, and meeting pro producers such as Gary Bromham, Phill Harding, Andy Barlow and Mike Cave.”
Graduated: 2015
Current Work: Video producer, photographer and creative director.
After graduating from the course in 2015, Dom started work at York-based recording studio, Melrose Yard Studios, as lead recording engineer and producer. He’s worked with many bands, songwriters and actors to produce music and audio content that has been played on BBC Radio 1, 6 Music and Radio 2.
In 2016, Dom co-founded Mantality alongside former Leeds Rhinos captain, Stevie Ward. Mantality is a platform that challenges men to become the best version of themselves. Mantality engages people through a successful podcast and helps them redefine their lives through therapy and life coaching services.
Alongside his music career and Mantality, Dom has always had an interest in cinematography and now works in Oxford as a full-time video producer and photographer, creating compelling and award-winning content for global brands.
“With an attractive ethos in developing key industry, networking, business and enterprise skills, the Music Production course offered more than I could have imagined. We had countless opportunities to take on and experience ‘real’ projects with industry professionals and were heavily encouraged to start our journey as freelance music creatives. My first company was established at University with the help, support and mentorship of my lecturers.”
Graduated: 2016
Current Work: Artist and Events Management, House music producer, and International DJ at Six15Events.
“My current role is an artist manager as well as being an artist myself. My company now deals with international bookings and looks after brands such as Ministry of Sound, Hed Kandi, Ocean beach, Nikki Beach and many more.
“The Music Production course helped me prepare for the world outside of University by helping me understand how to deal with clients. Understanding how to interact with clients and keeping them informed whilst working to a set brief has been an essential skill which my time on the course taught me.
The course was engaging and varied. The tutors were all approachable and each had their different skill sets which helped on various different tasks. The facilities were incredible and having access to the studio 24/7 was great for me as I could go in after I had finished a gig and complete work.
Overall the experience for me at York St John was something that was essential in me not only building my own business into what it is today, but also myself as a person, moulding me into a driven professional in the music business.”
Graduated: 2016
Current Work: Creative Director and Executive Producer at Commuter Films
Luke and Adam started their production company as part of the Music Production degree programme. They expanded into video production and now specialise in creating exciting and engaging audio-visual content and photography for businesses large and small. Their passion and dedication to their craft can be seen in every project they undertake; from food photography to music video production, entire brand launches, or event videos.
We invited Luke and Adam to film for our recent project in Abbey Road where they produced live music videos for 12 artists including Magic Numbers and The Leisure Society. Check out their work here.
Graduated: 2013
Current Work: Touring artist, studio manager and roots music producer.
Dan Webster is described as ‘one of the U.K’s best kept musical secrets and one not to miss!’ and an ‘An insightful lyricist with a great voice’ Acoustic Magazine. According to Americana UK – ‘He is the missing link, the joining point, where folk fuses with country – as good as you’ll hear on any record out of Austin or Nashville – beautiful – he is Anglicana’. Dan is a road seasoned English singer-songwriter, his music is influenced by the sounds and storytelling traditions of American and British Folk music, which he uniquely blends into his own distinct fusion of Folk and Americana.
Dan produced his album ‘The Tin Man’ whilst on the Music Production course and it got to number 3 in the Amazon Folk chart. Since then he has been producing more of his own music as well as other acoustic roots acts from around Yorkshire.
https://danwebstermusic.com/home
Current Work: Sean is an Audio Creative at the BBC based at Media City, Salford. He currently makes radio promotions for the BBC’s biggest networks including, Radio 1, Radio 2, Radio 4 and the World Service. He predominantly creates promotional material for special documentaries and podcast series but his BBC career has seen him work in other areas such as Sport, Drama and Music, working with the likes of Little Mix, Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Sir Tom Jones, Beverley Knight, Gary Barlow and Dolly Parton… to name a few musical stars.
Sean has been a client on some annual student production projects including writing/composing bespoke production music for radio.
“The Music Production programmes at York St John University have a great community atmosphere, with constant support and feedback from tutors, peers and the department’s network of industry professionals. I collaborated with many students from across the University and made lifelong friends (students and tutors alike). It gave me a ‘can-do attitude’ and the skills to work with different characters. Specifically, my course taught me the values of individualism and professionalism. I have no regrets about choosing York St John, I didn’t just pay for a degree but the best three years of my life so far.”