<p paraeid="{a0551587-5609-401d-8797-7308edd51607}{169}" paraid="1268858599">What makes a good teacher? Endless qualifications and certificates? An encyclopaedic knowledge of a given subject? Here at Weston College, we have always stood by the belief that lived experience is far superior to any badge or certification. First person knowledge and in-depth understanding of real industry practice is what makes a good teacher!&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{a0551587-5609-401d-8797-7308edd51607}{183}" paraid="1420013459">&nbsp;</p>

<p>Former Weston College&nbsp;<a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… Performance and Production</a> Learner, Michael "Mike-e", has gained an outstanding achievement in securing a place on the highly reputable MA Electronic Music Production at <a href="https://www.dbsinstitute.ac.uk/&quot; rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies</a>, partnered with Falmouth University.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{187}" paraid="731008097">Mike-e has been a part of the Weston College Group family since joining onto a Level 1 Music course in 2015.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{193}" paraid="436535305">Since then, he has gone from strength to strength - excelling into Level 2 and 3, then into the UCW <a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/professional-music-performance-and-produc… Music Performance and Production</a> Degree and finally earning a spot to study his MA with Bristol-based dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, commencing in September.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{205}" paraid="2066388487">Mike-e's journey and success is a truly commendable achievement and a powerful demonstration of hard work, passion, and dedication.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{217}" paraid="639609955">Upon hearing news of his offer to study at dB’s Institute of Sound and Digital Technologies, Mike-e tell us he was ecstatic; “I have a habit of telling myself I won’t be successful in these kinds of opportunities so to hear back so quickly was so uplifting”.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{229}" paraid="2141334176">Mike-e's future career prospects and goals after University include continuing to work as a sound designer and composer for films and video games while operating a sample library and software instrument business.&nbsp;</p>

<p paraeid="{26724e04-f770-4aaa-a42a-d3d73ae01c25}{243}" paraid="1295486222">When asked about his time studying Music at UCW he told us: “I would recommend the course to anyone who wants to better their performance skills and develop some business knowledge. The studios and equipment are amazing, and I’ve really enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to use them”.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{f3106dd7-35fb-4b51-bceb-b2b13599ecb4}{110}" paraid="488283141" xml:lang="EN-GB">Weston College music alumni Kezia Povey was recently a contestant on ITVs singing performance show “Starstruck”, hosted by Olly Murs.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{3a8cd2a0-01aa-47a6-b435-7eb0a1fad73a}{171}" paraid="1714679730" xml:lang="EN-GB">In the vein of “Stars in their eyes”, <a href="https://www.itv.com/hub/starstruck/10a1263?utm_source=search_google&amp…; sees members of the public transformed into famous music icons, performing their classic hits to impress a panel of star-studded judges and&nbsp;win a cash prize. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{060c1007-a664-4264-85e4-5a02fb38e264}{25}" paraid="611545994" xml:lang="EN-GB">Since finishing her <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production</a> at Weston College, Kezia has been writing and releasing music whilst&nbsp;singing&nbsp;at a local holiday park.&nbsp;</p>

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<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{060c1007-a664-4264-85e4-5a02fb38e264}{25}" paraid="611545994" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{67cd87af-45b0-4889-9de4-3abaad5bba6d}{234}" paraid="916373830" xml:lang="EN-GB">The 19-year-old singer added: <em>“I was approached on Instagram during lockdown last year as I post lots of singing vids on my social media. I then did a zoom audition which led to a producers audition in London. I wasn’t sure of the format or what the show was about - just that it was going to be an ITV prime time singing show! So I knew it would be a good opportunity.”&nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{50d6a188-7dd3-46ef-b0eb-e1820b58c3b4}{191}" paraid="296609118" xml:lang="EN-GB">After this lengthy audition process, Kezia’s sensational singing skills earned her a slot on the show where she became American pop super-star Miley Cyrus. Kezia shared the stage with two other Miley mimics, each embodying a different era of her career whilst sporting the singer’s signature raspy vocal style.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{532d36f0-6e87-4a49-910f-6d67cc61679b}{173}" paraid="1876306281" xml:lang="EN-GB">Kezia continued: <em>“Miley has a very distinct voice - funnily enough I have done a couple of Miley covers before, including one for a college project and have been told I have a similar sound to her. I have been told I look like her too!"&nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{532d36f0-6e87-4a49-910f-6d67cc61679b}{173}" paraid="1876306281" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p>

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<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{532d36f0-6e87-4a49-910f-6d67cc61679b}{173}" paraid="1876306281" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{15a1abf7-549b-457e-8a7c-3b3af6af8428}{250}" paraid="1296954630" xml:lang="EN-GB">The show featuring Kezia aired on ITV’s prime-time slot on Saturday March 26th. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{1af1288d-c73e-4bdd-b553-d15dc461f2e8}{238}" paraid="218419795" xml:lang="EN-GB">Although the talented trio just missed out on the final spot, the Cyrus singers were highly commended for their performance of "Midnight Sky" by judges Sheridan Smith, Adam Lambert, Beverley Knight and Jason Manford for their extreme talents in bringing the pop-star to life.</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{1af1288d-c73e-4bdd-b553-d15dc461f2e8}{238}" paraid="218419795" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p>

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<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cbp2fmJqp6p/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_c…; style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none;" target="_blank">A post shared by Kezia Povey?? (@keziapovey)</a></p>
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<script async src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script&gt;

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{fe80d8d6-9d8f-4c17-8dc2-e1b856374d2c}{185}" paraid="605753745" xml:lang="EN-GB">Somewhat unsurprisingly, this is not Kezia’s first time singing on TV as she also appeared in ITV’s X Factor in 2018 when she was just 15, making it through the auditions with 4 “yes’” from the judges.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{6d0f35d2-ed9d-44b0-9bdb-1678e8157ff1}{122}" paraid="2113095842" xml:lang="EN-GB">Speaking about her return to national television, Kezia said: &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{853ae852-9a99-4e56-b21b-f101b2e255ae}{86}" paraid="1231022117" xml:lang="EN-GB"><em>"The whole experience was great. I’ve loved my TV&nbsp;appearances, it’s a very surreal experience, especially meeting the judges. &nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4a14c427-6bd8-42bf-a840-74a12333af3c}{234}" paraid="1231117804" xml:lang="EN-GB"><em>"Talking to Olly Murs was also amazing, he’s so nice and really puts everyone at ease. Knowing he’s been through being judged on a tv show too is really reassuring.&nbsp;&nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4a14c427-6bd8-42bf-a840-74a12333af3c}{234}" paraid="1231117804" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p>

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<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4a14c427-6bd8-42bf-a840-74a12333af3c}{250}" paraid="66223417" xml:lang="EN-GB">&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{4a14c427-6bd8-42bf-a840-74a12333af3c}{250}" paraid="66223417" xml:lang="EN-GB"><em>"This show was all about having fun, transforming in to your idols and just an all round feel good Saturday night family show. I learnt a lot from the vocal coaches and of course the choreographers about working the stage and making the most of the performance."&nbsp; &nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{947e62fc-4caa-4acf-aa66-8f89922aba7e}{81}" paraid="1433002401" xml:lang="EN-GB">Starstruck has now concluded and had a staggering 4.7 million viewers, warranting its renewal for a second season. <a href="https://www.instagram.com/tv/Cbp2fmJqp6p/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link">… can watch her full performance on the show here</a>.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{e45e08a1-713f-496c-a164-07a7ff4d7165}{236}" paraid="2017495819" xml:lang="EN-GB">Previously studying at Priory School, Kezia joined the Weston College Music department and quickly impressed peers and staff with her epic vocal abilities as she studied the <a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… 3 Extended Diploma in Music Performance and Production</a>. &nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{d80da0cb-3056-445f-ad53-85cd24d302ca}{80}" paraid="1577608085" xml:lang="EN-GB">She added: <em>“My experiences at Weston college helped me learn the kind of direction I wanted to take with music. It gave me great experiences working with other musicians and using the great facilities that are within the music department at Loxton Campus.&nbsp;</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{cce1a62e-2543-41a2-8b9f-434e4bcf94c7}{151}" paraid="1647720792" xml:lang="EN-GB"><em>I loved my time at Weston college, performing with the other musicians on the course was my favourite part and doing gigs with a live band is still my favourite type of performance."</em></p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{cce1a62e-2543-41a2-8b9f-434e4bcf94c7}{167}" paraid="1771369074" xml:lang="EN-GB">A well-deserved recognition for such a talented young person with a bright future ahead! We’d like to with Kezia the best of luck as she continues writing, releasing and recording music regularly in London.&nbsp;</p>

<p lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{cce1a62e-2543-41a2-8b9f-434e4bcf94c7}{167}" paraid="1771369074" xml:lang="EN-GB">Click to:</p>

<ul>
<li lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{cce1a62e-2543-41a2-8b9f-434e4bcf94c7}{167}" paraid="1771369074" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.gate.fm/hcMSbO3l?fbclid=IwAR1qu2H5yPlikcrRVE6KaBQhO_DhLWyVN… Kezia's latest single "So Lovely"</a></li>
<li lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{cce1a62e-2543-41a2-8b9f-434e4bcf94c7}{167}" paraid="1771369074" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.weston.ac.uk/what-can-i-study/courses-16-18-year-olds/music… our range of music courses</a></li>
<li lang="EN-GB" paraeid="{cce1a62e-2543-41a2-8b9f-434e4bcf94c7}{167}" paraid="1771369074" xml:lang="EN-GB"><a href="https://www.ucw.ac.uk/courses/professional-music-performance-and-produc… about the Music degree course taught in Weston-super-Mare</a></li>
</ul>