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Welcome to聽our weekly series where we highlight the great work that RBC alumni are doing in the field of music education.

Each week our guest will reveal insights such as what led them to do what they are currently doing, the projects they have been involved in since graduating, what inspires them on a daily basis, and what advice they would give to any music student considering working as a music educator in the future, whether full-time or as part of a rewarding portfolio career.

Episode 6: Ben Jones

Years studied:聽2013-2017

颁辞耻谤蝉别:听BMus (Hons)

First study:聽Tuba

My interests in pursuing a career in music education started during my second year of study at the Conservatoire. I decided to take part in and volunteer with various groups including RBC鈥檚 , and the CBSO鈥檚 Notelets workshops. Through these experiences, I quickly discovered that a career in music education would be incredibly rewarding and fun. It was during my fourth year that I finally decided that I would like music education to form a part of my career.

After graduating, I decided to become a freelance musician, balancing my work between various performance and music education opportunities. I spent the first few years of my career exploring the different opportunities as a music educator. My various music education jobs now include brass teaching across Worcestershire. I鈥檓 also a brass teacher and orchestral leader with , a mentor with Cheltenham Festival鈥檚 project, a conductor with and I lead pre-concert workshops for the CBSO鈥檚 Notelets concerts. I鈥檓 also a member of RBC鈥檚 LEAP and LEAP Grad ensembles and Musical Director of the .

Having a varied career in music education keeps my work feeling fresh and exciting, with no two weeks ever feeling the same. It also means that I get to experience different types and settings of music education, having to adapt and change my approaches depending on age, ability and any additional needs there might be.

I also enjoy working with loads of different professional musicians. I get to have a great time working alongside them as well as improving my existing skills as a music educator and learning new ones. A career in music education is also incredibly satisfying. For me, my most rewarding experiences involve children and adults performing music in front of others for the first time, especially when they are feeling incredibly nervous or feel that they 鈥榗an鈥檛 do it鈥�. Seeing their faces light up with excitement and being bombarded with positive feedback afterwards always makes the work I鈥檝e put in with them completely worth it.

From my first few years as a freelance musician, I would strongly encourage any RBC student to pursue a career or part of their portfolio career as a music educator. It鈥檚 a highly rewarding job with so many possible career paths to suit every musician. I also feel that it鈥檚 very important, now more than ever, to inspire the next generation of musicians and to help spread the joys that music can bring.

If you are one of RBC鈥檚 alumni and would like to take part in this feature, contact聽Interim Vice-Principal (Learning and Teaching) Luan Shaw,聽Head of Pedagogy Dr Adam Whittaker聽or聽Head of Learning and Participation Richard Shrewsbury.

Image: Ben Jones, credit:聽StillMoving Media