Celebrating alumni, one story at a time 

Beyond the Blue Door was the idea of alumna Anna Michels and Amy Donaldson and was in response to concerns surrounding the pursuit of music as a career. They wanted to celebrate all alumni, whatever the career or pathway chosen, to illustrate that a specialist music education can open all sorts of doors.  The campaign is being released on Instagram but, if you prefer, your story can be shared with members only. We'd like to hear from you whether you were a chorister or instrumentalist, whatever year you left, no matter how long you were at school for and whatever you are up to now! 

What's your story? 

Robyn Blair (c/0 2017)


"I’ve realised that for me the word ‘Music’ has a constantly changing definition. For me, having the chance to cultivate and hone the craft of playing an instrument has been life-changing. I’ve been able to witness the affect it has on Alzheimer’s patients, connect joyfully with people when we don’t even speak the same language, and laugh! A lot!"

Rowan Hawitt (c/0 2013)

Phd student in music

"My research is on questions of time in music at the point of a climate crisis - I never would have thought I'd be researching migratory cycles and geology alongside music!"

Isla Short (c/o 2014)

Professional Cyclist

"My journey diverged somewhat and I'm now a professional cyclist on the Great Britain Cycling Team. Music is strictly for fun these days!" 

Instagram: isla_short

Facebook: isla.short   

Youtube:  Isla Short

Hugh Mackay (c/0 2017)


"Learning the cello has allowed me to work creatively in a focussed, resourceful and reflective way, and has instilled a strong passion for music in me. Nothing else has helped me learn more about myself."

Facebook: hughmackaycellist 

Instagram: hughmackaycellist 

Twitter: hmackaycellist

Website: hughmackaycellist.com 

Suzanna Scott-Moncrieff (c/o 1995)


"I spent twenty years in New York City working in a piano shop, playing multiple instruments as an early-education music teacher, and eventually trained to be a music therapist at New York University."

Website: http://asoundspace.com/


Dr Michael Wood (c/o 2000)


"My highlight as an academic was being awarded a postdoctoral fellowship by the British Academy a couple of years after getting my PhD. I recently took some time to reassess my priorities, and now I’m delighted to be re-training as a psychotherapist and hope to open my own practice in Edinburgh one day." 


Linked In:https://uk.linkedin.com/in/michael-wood-51797a185

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