Closing Season 1 of The Creatives' Corner, we had the pleasure of speaking to Dr. Sheena Calvert, a philosopher, writer, designer and artist. Sheena has a PhD in philosophy of language and aesthetics and was able to shed a light on many things, from the relationship between creativity and critical thinking, to the importance of slowing down in an increasingly fast-paced digital world. Sheena also shares stories from her project Print Matters, her passion for typography and philosophy, and why curiosity remains one of the most important skills for any creative practitioner.

On this episode of The Creatives' Corner, we speak with George Crump, once a student working through the RSL Awards grade books and Vocational Qualifications, now a working musician with their own solo project. George reflects on their education journey and how it laid the foundations for a sustainable career in music. They also share how diving into Vocational Qualifications sparked their songwriting from a young age, further leading then to play in bands and ultimately launch their own original music project.

On this episode of The Creatives’ Corner, we speak with Professor Andy Stott, Head of Popular Music at the Royal Northern College of Music (RNCM). Andy reflects on his career as a session drummer and percussionist, and shares the story behind RNCM’s Popular Music course - the UK’s only four-year, conservatoire-based undergraduate degree of its kind. He also discusses the role of sheet music in modern music education, and why both traditional conservatoire training and vocational qualifications have an important place in developing today’s musicians.