Last week’s Industry Day brought together students, guests and staff for a full programme of conversation, collaboration and hands-on activity — and it proved to be a hugely engaging and thought-provoking day across the course.
Keynote: Accessibility and Innovation
A standout moment came from Jay and Sarah, whose keynote explored how major hardware and software manufacturers are developing tools for visually impaired music creators. Through live demonstration and discussion, they highlighted how inclusive design is shaping the future of music technology — and how Jay’s consultancy work has played an important role in pushing accessibility forward within the industry.
 Panel Discussion: Creativity, Pressure and Balance
The panel discussion, led by Helen Julia Minors, opened up a wide-ranging and honest conversation driven by student questions.
Key themes included:
• The challenges of perfectionism in creative work
• Maintaining motivation over long projects
• The importance of work–life balance
• The role of sleep and wellbeing in sustaining creativity
It was a reflective session that resonated strongly, offering practical insight into the realities of working in creative industries.
Workshops in Action
Across the day, students took part in a series of workshops that combined industry insight with practical experience:
• Live Events & Promotion – Harkirit Boparai
Students explored strategies for promoting music and developing live events, gaining a clearer understanding of how to build and engage an audience.
• Songwriting – Billy Crabtree & Rosie Landy-Freitas
In the studio, students worked closely with Billy and Rosie to write and develop new material, drawing directly on their experience writing professional artists such as KSI, Christina Aguilera, Conor Maynard, and Trippie Redd.
• Synth Lab – Dan Livesey
The synth lab sessions encouraged experimentation and exploration, with students getting hands-on with a wide range of equipment while developing ideas through play and research-led practice.
Collaboration and Conversation
Beyond the sessions, students had the opportunity to network with all of the industry guests, continuing conversations and building connections in a more informal setting. The day concluded with a student-led plenary panel, where three third-year students reflected on the themes that had emerged — drawing together insights from across the keynote, workshops and discussions.
Industry Day 2026 once again highlighted the value of bringing together different perspectives from across the music industry. From accessibility and technology to creativity and wellbeing, the conversations throughout the day offered plenty to reflect on — and plenty to take forward into future work.
