You get the opportunity to develop on stage in professional settings

What are you studying now, and what have you studied before?

I am now in my second year Bachelor at UiA in Kristiansand, studying Classical Music Performance as a singer. I came straight into the Bachelor's programme here in Kristiansand from upper secondary school. Here I did my specialisation, but before I have taken lessons with a singing teacher every week since the age of 7. Thus, I have been fortunate to gain broad experience both in singing, opera and theater at various cultural institutions in Nordmøre.

Why did you choose the programme you are currently studying?

I chose this course because it is an international Bachelor's degree which gives me the opportunity to get to know people from different parts of the world and find inspiration in this. In addition, I think the Faculty's collaboration with Agder's large Art’s Centre Kilden sounded very interesting and exciting. Kristiansand is also an incredibly great student city! Conveniently big, opportunities for walks in forests and fields, vibrant city life and lots of cultural events all year round. The music students are also lucky enough to get free tickets for Kilden's own productions, which we all greatly appreciate. The course offers good opportunities to make contacts both regionally, but also nationally. You get the opportunity to develop on stage in professional settings, and on several occasions we have also been able to perform in Kilden. The study programme offers a wide scope of subjects, and you get to develop both “theoretically” and “practically” during the years here in Kristiansand. As the institute is not huge, you also get to know your fellow students very well, which I really appreciate.

How do you experience the environment among students and teachers?

The study environment at UiA is good. Since, as previously mentioned, there are no more than a maximum of 20 of us per year, you have the opportunity to get to know all your fellow students. This makes collaborative tasks in everyday student life easier, because you already know who everyone is. All the teachers here are mostly easy to get hold of, and it is very nice to meet each other in the halls of the university. The teachers encourage you to get in touch if there is anything to discuss or ask, and it is easy to visit them in their offices. The atmosphere during the lessons is also good, and you can both laugh and cry together. The environment here at UiA makes it easy to develop at your own pace, and you get good guidance and help from both teachers and fellow students. It is easy to make acquaintances also with the students “above” and “below” you, and you can therefore also ask them for help and advice if you need anything.

What is the most important thing you have learned so far?

The most important thing I have learned so far is to trust myself. It's not always that easy in this business.  But with teachers who encourage and "cultivate" you at the level where you are at, means that you come out of this education strengthened, and you prepare yourself in the best possible way for what you will face in working life after graduating. In addition to this, I would say that the focus on interaction and collaboration with others is a key knowledge for further development and work within the field.  The faculty also works a lot with this both in everyday life and in project-based gatherings with various constellations of instruments.

What would you like to work on after finishing your studies?

After finishing studies, my hope is of course to be able to make a living as a performing singer. I have always been an allrounder in the performing arts and have already been allowed to work professionally with both theatre, musicals and opera. I hope to be able to continue with this also after my studies, but then of course on a somewhat larger scale than today. The faculty facilitates as much as possible so that we can accept job opportunities. This is also a major contributing factor to why I would recommend UiA. If you wish, you also get the opportunity to work with the complete broadness of your repertoire, and you can easily make contacts between different branches of the musical studies on campus.

What is the best thing about studying classical music at UiA?

The solidarity! Definitely the solidarity! You make friendships during your studies which you can certainly cultivate further both on a personal, but also on a professional and work-related level. You get to develop good relationships with both teachers and students, and you feel “seen”. The fact that you have teachers and guest lecturers from various places who are working professionally today is also a huge advantage. They know very well what is needed to succeed in today's society after graduating. The professional environment is large and strong and you meet interesting people with great drive and courage wherever you turn. Kristiansand is a city of culture, and the opportunities for work and development are countless. Apply to UiA!