how to write a personal statement for music business

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 Music Business Personal Statement: Why Most Musicians Do This Wrong

I remember back in College Management class having to write a business plan for a fictitious business. We were told to write a “Mission Statement” for the business and were given some extremely generic guidelines and excruciatingly boring examples to follow.

If you’ve read even a handful of mission statements, you know what I mean. Generally, they were written because someone told them it had to be done and it was necessary to incorporate the business or get some proper paperwork, make a board of Directors happy or just to check off a box on a list of “to dos” when creating a business.  Mission statements are often so generic that you could think of a boatload of businesses they would describe.

I’ve seen the same thing happen with musicians. They are told to write a music business plan by manager, teacher, or mentor, and they write a very broad, bland statement. Some of the music mission statement examples I’ve seen talk generally about how the musician wants to “follow her dreams” or “have a full time career in music”. But there is nothing personal about it. They need a music business personal statement that is actually personal (stands to reason, right?).  They need to reach down deep, be vulnerable, and really examine their motives for wanting to start a music business.

When these music mission statement examples were crafted, what did the writers have in mind? Did their mission statement really MEAN something to them? Did it really reflect what they wanted their career and future life to look like, who they saw as their audience, and why it was SO important to them to make their dreams a reality? Probably not.

Music Business Personal Statement of Purpose: How To Begin

Try asking yourself these questions that I gathered while reading some really good business statements of purpose from online entrepreneurs. I suggest you do a “mind dump” onto a blank piece of paper when answering these questions. Write down anything that comes to mind, no matter how silly it may seem. Don’t sensor yourself.

• What is unique about you that isn’t common in other musicians in your genre or niche.
• What exactly do you do or hope to do in your music business?
• Why do you do it?  Your “why” is a key driving factor and chief motivator for everything else.
• What markets are you serving, and what benefits do you offer them?
• What exactly is your product and how will you deliver it to your audience?
• How would you feel if you couldn’t be a musician? What’s at stake if you don’t follow through?
• What would you like your life to look like in 1 year?
• What monetary goals do you have in your music business?
• What non-monetary goals do you have and why are they important to you?

Then Discuss, Digest, Cut, Polish, Review, Revise

Here’s where discussing this with friends and family or specific “super fans” can be really helpful.  It’s often difficult for us to see ourselves clearly since we tend to “live in our own head”.Ask people close to you or fans who enjoy your music to answer some of the above questions and compare them to yours.  If you see some similarities…that’s exciting. You are surely on the right track. You may also see some things you missed or hadn’t thought of. An outside perspective can be so valuable!

From this data, refine and re-write your music business personal statement of purpose so it is congruent with your need and desires and those of your audience. A clear focus and published objectives will make it so much easier to achieve your music career goals because it will chart a clear course for you to follow.

Re-evaluate if your music business personal statement of purpose is still valid and relevant every year. If it is, evaluate how you are measuring up to achieving the business and personal outcomes you desired when writing it.  It may be that after a year your music career has been redirected and you’ll need to re-do this exercise and create a new statement.  Or, even better, maybe you will have moved to a higher level and you can create a more aggressive strategy and statement of purpose.

If you take the time to do this exercise and review where you are bout every quarter, you WILL move to the next level. It’s just a matter of how soon.

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Music Personal Statement Guide

Personal statements can be a bit of a paradox. On the one hand, they all need to do the same things as each other, namely describe your interest in a subject, your motivation for studying it at university, and your readiness to undertake the course. On the other, they have to be unique to you and to stand out from all the others. It’s little wonder that students struggle to know how and where to begin.

It’s also understandable if the prospect of putting pen to paper is daunting, but the best way to approach it is not to delay but instead to look at the writing of it as you might an essay. There are certain requirements that it must fulfil, it needs to follow a structure, and it should be interesting and entertaining to read.

To dispel any concerns you might have about what to do and not do when writing your statement, this guide will take you through the following steps:

• Why are Personal Statements Important?
• What Should I Include in a Music Personal Statement?  
• What Should I Avoid in a Music   Personal Statement ?  
• Advice on How to Start a Music Personal Statement
• Advice on How to Finish a Music Personal Statement

What Should I Avoid in a Music Personal Statement ?  

Don’t just focus on the one or two aspects you’re most interested in, e.g. playing jazz piano or analysing the works of lesser-known German Romantic composers. As the degree is a broad one, show that you’re willing to learn about other areas and to acquire new skills .

The language of your personal statement should maintain a polite formality and avoid casual language . You should also never rely on banal clichés or other people’s words, i.e. quotations, because this is your chance to talk about you in your own words and way.

Above all else, don’t exaggerate and don’t lie ; tutors can tell when abilities are overstated and books haven’t been read. This is especially important if you’re going for an interview or have to give a performance as questions will be asked.

Register to access our complimentary e-book "So You Want To Go To Oxbridge? Tell me about a banana…"

Advice on How to Start a Music Personal Statement  

One way to open your personal statement is to begin with why you’re compelled to study music at university and talk about how your interest has developed up to this point. It’s not necessary to trace your deep interest in music all the way back to the first piece you ever heard. It’s enough to mention a moment of recognition or realisation in your relationship with music that set you on this path.

If you don't want to begin at the chronological start of your musical journey, you could instead open with the area that most captures your interest. Use this as an opportunity to jump straight into an academic discussion and set the tone for the rest of your statement.

Universities want to see you’re going to maintain your interest and passion, but also that you can develop further as a musician and academic. It's difficult to encompass this in an opening statement, so sometimes it helps to brainstorm ideas around the ‘why’ and ‘how’ of your choice, and only then begin to draft an interesting introduction.

Advice on How to Finish a Music Personal Statement  

A degree in music is going to expose you to so much more than you have encountered up to now in this field, so universities want to know this won’t be lost on you. If you feel so inclined, you can talk about various modules you like the look of (as long as each university in your application offers something similar) and what you think studying those will bring you.

The conclusion to an effective statement brings together your ideas, interests, motivation, and ambition to reiterate your desire to study music to an advanced level and your suitability to do so.

• What are some Tips for Writing a Strong Music Personal Statement?
• How Long Should my Music Personal Statement Be?
• What Kind of Extracurricular Activities Should I Include in my Music Personal Statement?
• How Can I Tailor my Music Personal Statement to the Oxford/Cambridge Course?

It’s likely that some of your music degree will involve working as part of groups, as well as independently. This reflects the music industry more widely as, whether it’s in a studio or an orchestra pit, musicians, composers, conductors, and sound technicians all have to work together to produce what you ultimately hear. Your statement should therefore reference the extent to which you’ve collaborated with others to achieve common goals, as well as what your own independent endeavours have produced.

A degree in music relies on a range of skills, many of which you’ll have started to develop at school. Examples of these include problem-solving, analysis, critical thinking, creative invention, an eye for detail, and performance under pressure. It’s not necessary to list all your skills and how you’ve acquired them, but mentioning how you’ve come by some and the ways they could be transferable to the academic study of music will enable you to demonstrate your readiness for the degree.

The personal statement cannot exceed 4000 characters (including spaces), or alternatively 47 lines of the UCAS form. It’s therefore paramount you make the most of all the available limit you’re given by working out in advance what you should include and exclude, based on how important you deem the information to be. When you start writing, it will become easier to work out how best to express your ideas concisely.

Naturally, your extracurricular engagement with music should be given space in the statement, but it’s not enough just to list what you do and to what level. Universities want to see how you’ve learned and grown as a student and musician, and whether you have the potential to develop even further. Over and above your musical competencies, it’s always worthwhile talking about instances where you’ve done something out of the ordinary, which might be leading a youth orchestra, playing the piano in a care home, or teaching music to toddlers. Finally, your reading and thoughts around the subject should always feature in the statement as this is a surefire way of demonstrating intellectual curiosity and independent thinking.

Whilst you cannot be too specific (since the same statement is sent to all your university choices), there are some styles and techniques you can employ to ensure your personal statement is Oxbridge-appropriate.

A main consideration to make is that the Oxford and Cambridge courses are expectedly broad, but give you scope to tailor your path to suit your interests. This means you have free rein, within reason, to choose modules that suit you. That said, the universities will want to see your willingness to learn what might not initially appeal to you, as this is a mark of a dispassionate and intellectually free approach to study. You shouldn’t, therefore, rule anything out either in your statement or interview, but rather maintain an open mind and be prepared to throw yourself into all that the course can offer.

Furthermore, Oxbridge personal statements should be incredibly discerning on content, and should only mention academically-relevant experiences or resources which prove either your interest, motivations, or skills relevant to the music degree course.

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• How To Write a Music Artist Bio: How To Write a Music Biography

A well-crafted music artist bio is an essential tool for any musician looking to establish their brand, connect with fans, and capture the attention of industry professionals. Whether you’re just starting out or are a seasoned artist, your bio is often the first point of contact between you and your audience. It serves as a snapshot of who you are, what you’ve achieved, and what makes your music unique. This guide will provide you with a step-by-step approach to writing an engaging and effective music artist bio that tells your story and highlights your career.

Why Is a Music Artist Bio Important?

Your music artist bio is more than just a list of facts; it’s a narrative that showcases your personality, your journey, and your artistic vision. A strong bio can:

• Attract Fans : By telling your story in a relatable and engaging way, you can draw in listeners who connect with your music on a deeper level;
• Impress Industry Professionals : A well-written bio can capture the attention of labels, promoters , and journalists , leading to new opportunities;
• Boost Your Online Presence : Your bio is often the first thing people see on your website, social media profiles, or streaming platforms , making it a key component of your online brand.

Recommendations on How to Write a Good Bio for a Musician

Writing a music artist bio can be challenging, especially if you’re not used to talking about yourself in a professional context. Here are some recommendations to help you craft a bio that stands out:

• Keep It Concise : Your bio should be informative but not overwhelming. Aim for around 200-300 words for a short bio, and up to 600 words for a more detailed version;
• Be Authentic : Your bio should reflect your true self. Authenticity resonates with readers and helps build a genuine connection with your audience;
• Highlight Achievements : While it’s important to tell your story, don’t forget to include your achievements, such as awards, notable performances, collaborations, and releases;
• Use a Conversational Tone : Write in a way that feels natural and engaging. Avoid overly formal language, as it can come across as distant or impersonal;
• Tailor It to Your Audience : Consider who will be reading your bio. If it’s for a press kit, focus on your professional achievements. If it’s for your website, you can include more personal details.

A Description of the Main Steps

To help you write a compelling music artist bio, here’s a breakdown of the main steps involved:

1. Start with an Interesting Introduction

Your introduction is the first thing readers will see, so it’s important to grab their attention right away. Consider starting with a memorable quote, an interesting fact about your background, or a brief overview of your musical style.

Example: “With a voice that resonates like a warm breeze through the pines, John Doe brings a fresh perspective to the indie folk scene. Hailing from the rugged mountains of Colorado, his music captures the spirit of the wilderness and the raw emotions of life’s journey.”

2. Provide a Brief Description of Your Background

Next, give readers a sense of where you come from and how you got started in music . This section should be brief but informative, providing context for your musical journey.

Example: “John Doe discovered his passion for music at a young age, strumming his first guitar at the age of 10. Inspired by the likes of Bob Dylan and Neil Young, he began writing his own songs, blending poetic lyrics with intricate melodies. After years of performing at local venues, John’s talent was recognized by a prominent producer, leading to the release of his debut EP in 2018.”

3. Describe Your Music and Influences

This is where you can dive into what makes your music unique. Describe your sound, your influences, and what listeners can expect from your music . Be specific and avoid clichés.

Example: “John’s music is a fusion of indie folk and Americana, with a touch of blues that adds depth to his sound. His songwriting is influenced by the storytelling traditions of Folk legends, while his guitar work is reminiscent of the intricate fingerpicking styles of the blues greats. Each song is a journey, inviting listeners to explore themes of love, loss, and the search for meaning.”

4. Highlight Your Career and Achievements

Now it’s time to showcase your accomplishments. Include details about your discography, notable performances, collaborations, awards, and any other highlights of your career. If you’re a newer artist, focus on the milestones you’ve reached so far.

Example: “Since his debut, John has released two full-length albums, both of which received critical acclaim. His sophomore album, ‘Whispers of the Pines,’ was named one of the top indie folk albums of 2020 by Folk Monthly. He has performed at major festivals, including the Rocky Mountain Folk Festival and the Americana Music Festival, and has shared the stage with artists such as Brandi Carlile and The Avett Brothers.”

5. Conclude with a Call to Action

End your bio with a brief statement that encourages readers to explore your music further. This could be an invitation to listen to your latest album, follow you on social media, or attend an upcoming show.

Example: “John Doe’s music is a journey through the heart and soul of America. Discover his latest album, ‘Whispers of the Pines,’ available now on all major s treaming platforms . Follow John on social media to stay updated on his upcoming tour dates and new releases.”

Additional Tips and Advice on How to Write a Bio

• Update Regularly : Your bio should evolve as your career progresses. Make it a habit to update your bio whenever you release new music , win an award, or achieve a significant milestone;
• Get Feedback : Before finalizing your bio, ask for feedback from trusted friends, fellow musicians, or industry professionals. They can offer valuable insights and help you refine your narrative;
• Use Visuals : If possible, pair your bio with high-quality photos or videos that complement your story. Visuals can make your bio more engaging and help readers connect with your music on a deeper level;
• Avoid Overly Technical Language : While it’s important to describe your music , avoid using too much technical jargon. Your bio should be accessible to all readers, not just musicians;
• Be Consistent : Ensure that your bio is consistent across all platforms, including your website, social media, and streaming profiles. This helps maintain a cohesive brand image.

Writing a compelling music artist bio is a critical part of building your brand and connecting with your audience. By following these steps and incorporating the tips provided, you can craft a bio that not only highlights your achievements but also tells the story of who you are as an artist. Remember, your bio is an ever-evolving narrative that should grow with you as your career progresses. Keep it updated, authentic, and reflective of your unique journey in the music industry.

Whether you’re a budding artist just starting out or an established musician looking to refine your bio, this guide provides the tools you need to create a powerful and engaging biography that resonates with fans and industry professionals alike.

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Essays, Personal Statements, and Résumés for Music Students

Essays, personal statements and résumés for music students can be daunting. While the audition is a key component in the acceptance process, admission reps want you to keep in mind that the paperwork side of the application is also important.

by Caitlin Peterkin

“We have a small interview component to our audition process and we review recommendation letters and a student’s music history (typically via the résumé),” says Megan Grady, music recruitment coordinator and assistant director of Admission at the University of Puget Sound School of Music. “We also like to see what else students do and if we think they’ll fit in well with our liberal arts university, not just the School of Music.”

Applying to music school is a highly-competitive process. Brittany Jimenez, associate director of Undergraduate Admission at USC Thornton School of Music , encourages students to be genuine and to put their best foot forward in all parts of the admission process.

“There are many parts of the application and admission process you cannot control, like who else is applying,” she says, “so carefully managing the parts you can control (like the writing supplements and portfolio submissions) will be very important.”

Catch the attention you want

An essay, often referred to as your personal statement, is required by many music schools. Each school posts its own guidelines for these. If you’re uncertain about what they’re asking for, contact the admissions office.

The Common App streamlines the process of applying to several schools, although not all schools use it. You’ll find out whether colleges and universities that use the Common App require a personal essay once you create your Dashboard on the Common App website. The Common App provides a list of “prompts” or ideas to write about and you are given the option to edit your essay after you submit your first application. Even if schools don’t require a personal essay, you’ll have the option to submit one.  

Music schools within universities as well as some colleges require you to apply to the university or college as well as to the music school. A separate school of music essay may also be required. Schools will indicate the word count as well as prompts or a specific theme they want you to write about. This may be referred to as a “supplemental essay.”

You can also choose to apply directly to schools instead of using the Common App. A request for supplemental materials including writing requirements is built in to these applications.

Note that these requirements may be different for transfer students.

So how do you make sure your essay and personal statement stand out from the crowd?

Here are suggestions from recruiters and admission representatives for creating essays they’ll they’ll be eager to read:

1. Do your research.

“It is beneficial to research the school and program and speak to the specific aspects and opportunities you find most relevant to you and your interests,” says Jimenez. “Getting to know the specific programs and faculty is important because every school is going to be unique in the type of experience they offer.”

Patrick Zylka, assistant dean for Admission, Financial Aid and Graduate Services at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music , agrees. “We want to know an applicant has done the research on our institution, not just that it’s a top ten ranking, or that their best friend goes here, but that they’ve really dug a little bit deeper and understand what the institution offers….and whether we’re actually a good fit for them.”

But he adds the caveat to not just regurgitate what’s on a school’s website: “Don’t tell us we’re a beautiful campus next to Lake Michigan—we already know!”

2. Don’t copy and paste.

Faculty and staff recognize that you’re probably applying to multiple institutions. Make sure to write a unique statement for each one, tailoring each essay to the specific program you’re applying to. Schools do not want to see a generic, cookie-cutter answer as to why you’re choosing their particular program.

“Essays that are clearly ‘cut and paste’ versions of an essay you’ve sent to a dozen schools…are not very persuasive,” says Christina Crispin, assistant director of Admissions at Eastman School of Music .

3. Show your personality!

As faculty and admissions reps review hundreds of applications each year, they want to read thoughtful statements from prospective students to get a better sense of each individual’s personality.

According to Zylka, admission reps view the essay as an applicant’s only opportunity to really show who they are as an individual, more than what any transcript or test score can reveal. “Speak from the heart,” he says. “If you’re funny, be funny. If you’re serious, be serious.”

Grady agrees: “We are looking for students to tell us more about themselves. We like to see creative essays that tell us something we may not be able to learn from the rest of their application.”

4. Proofread—multiple times.

Not only are essays a good way to show your personality, but they’re also a chance to demonstrate that you can write in a clear and coherent way.

“The essays that we are least impressed by are those that have typos, grammatical or punctuation errors—anything that screams, ‘I didn’t proofread this,’” says Crispin.

Some other no-nos: run-on sentences and “writing one big paragraph instead of a thought-out essay,” according to Grady.

Your résumé – the right way

Nearly all applications for music schools require a résumé.  

“The résumé is the place for applicants to highlight their musical accomplishments and experiences,” says Crispin. “If they want us to know about other extracurricular activities, leadership, volunteer work, etc., the résumé is a good place to capture that information.”

“It’s important to tell us about any honors, awards, summer festivals, private lessons,” adds Zylka. “Things that show us you didn’t just go to high school from a certain time in the morning to the afternoon.”  

• Make it clean and organized.

There is no one right way to format a résumé unless specified by the schools you’re applying to. They should be easy to read. Include your contact information plus music-specific information and experience.

“Present your résumé in an organized way so it is easy to review what you have done and when,” says Jimenez. “The résumé is typically 1-2 pages in length and mostly focuses on accomplishments and activities during high school.”

“Clean résumés are best—for musicians, that involves what you’ve performed, competitions you’ve won, ensembles you’ve performed along with chair placement (if applicable),” says Grady.  

“Keep your activities limited to your high school achievements,” she adds “unless there’s something particularly outstanding (like a performance at Carnegie Hall) that took place before high school. Show that you play multiple instruments and for how long, who you’ve studied with, ensemble directors, etc.”

• Proofread.

Edit your résumé multiple times, and have a trusted friend, family member, or teacher look it over. “We never want to see typos, misspelled words, or grammatical errors,” says Jimenez.

Final thoughts

Crispin advises all students to start their application early. “We often hear from applicants that they were surprised how much time it took to fill out their applications, and you don’t want to be rushing and risking errors right before the deadline,” she says. This also includes reaching out to teachers for recommendations well before applications are due.

Just like no two music programs are the same, no two application processes are the same. Do the research on what exactly is needed for each program you’re applying to, and make a checklist with deadlines for each one.

Finally, utilize all the resources available online and in admission offices. “Our website should be your best friend throughout the process,” says Jimenez. “Your other best friends will be the people in the office of admission. Applicants are always encouraged to ask questions anytime! We want our applicants to be successful throughout the admission process and are here to help however we can.”

Caitlin Peterkin is a writer/editor and arts enthusiast currently based in Portland, OR. She has worked as program manager for Earshot Jazz (Seattle) and has written for BestNewBands.com , Chronicle of Higher Education , and Paste Magazine . She graduated from Indiana University Bloomington with a B.A. in Journalism and a minor in Music.  

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Writing a Personal Statement for Music courses

This article is intended to provide advice and suggestions for students who are applying for Music courses in the U.K. and who are about to start, or have already started, writing their personal statements. It should be noted that this advice is aimed at those applying for straight Music courses at either a university or conservatoire, where the course content is primarily or solely classical. Students who are applying for Joint Honours courses, or derivatives of a Music course (e.g. Music Tech or Popular Music courses) are welcome to use the advice given here but should change bits as necessary. Writing a personal statement for Music isn't an easy task. Many potential Music students may find that their schools have little or no experience of helping Music applicants (particularly in the case of conservatoires) and are subsequently less able or less willing to advise such students. Often, Music applicants may find that advice given to their class is negligible for them, or that it conflicts with the very nature of the subject (e.g. "We don't want to read about your extra-curricular activities"). Sometimes, Music applicants can find it difficult to communicate why they wish to study the course to a higher level.

Writing a Music Personal statement for UCAS/CUKAS

Many people have different ideas about how to write and structure a personal statement. Some of this advice, as has been noted above, doesn't really work in a Music personal statement! Things that should go into a Music personal statement include:

- instruments and standard on these instruments. You may have already put this in the "Other Qualifications" for your practical exam grades but don't assume that all admissions tutors will read this section properly! In particular, applicants should make sure that somewhere in their personal statement, their level of keyboard playing is clearly mentioned, since many universities have a compulsory "Keyboard Skills" course.

- How you came to be interested in music/how you came to play your principal study/how you came to compose or to conduct.

- Your musical interests. Are you a performer, composer, conductor or budding academic? What styles interest you?

- Extra-curricular activities and achievements. Many Music applicants will have lots and for this reason, it is essential to only list the most important things. The most important things will be competition wins and big ensembles, or things which you have organised or had a leading role in.

- Non-musical things. Whilst obviously it's important to show what a good musician you are and why you'd be a good uni student, it's great if you can show that you have multiple interests and/or talents!

Things not to mention or do in a Music personal statement:

- Avoid the word "always". You didn't emerge from your mother's womb loving Mahler or wanting to compose! Also avoid words such as "love", "passion", etc.

- Don't give your life story. Anything mentioned, whether it's practical exam grades or competition wins, should be within the last few years. Certainly don't stretch before Year 10.

- Don't exaggerate your performing capabilities, particular regarding the piano. You may come to regret it later on!

- Try to avoid talking about things in a list form. It's better to talk about a few things and have a sentence or two about why this interested you, how you developed from this competition win, etc.

- Don't put module marks, exam result marks, etc. in your personal statement. You're wasting space by doing so! Ask your teacher to put it in his/her reference.

Whilst you can use the same statement for both UCAS and CUKAS, it is sometimes better to write two slightly different statements. Conservatoires will want more detail about performing activities and

competition wins, whilst universities will want to get a sense of a rounded character (so non-musical interests, other A Level subjects etc.)

Based on the advice above, a template structure Music applicants may wish to use would be the following:

- Introduction. (How your interest in Music arose)

- Musical performance (instruments, ensembles, summer schools, etc.)

- Academic music interests (specific areas of interests, academic books, work experience etc.)

- Non-musical interests (sports, charity work, etc.) and other A Level subjects

- Conclusion (reminding them why they should pick you, but in a subtle way. Future career plans if already known)

This is by no means an absolutely rigid structure. "Musical performance" and "Academic music interests" are interchangeable within the structure and the length of these will depend on the nature of the course one is applying for. If you lack work experience, non-musical ECs, etc. do not panic! It's not the end of the world and is unlikely to create a negative impact.

Writing a Music PS for Oxford or Cambridge

Writing a Music PS for either institution is not significantly different from writing one for another university. There are two things applicants must bear in mind though:

- These two courses are academic Music courses. Whilst there is little point mentioning books or specific authors read if you haven't got a particular academic musical interest in a certain topic, if one mentions a book it's important to have subsequent comments to make about it! There is little point saying "I read X by Y" and leaving it at that: tutors will want to see that you can think critically about academic music literature if you've already read some.

- Both unis interview and may well ask you about things you have written in your PS. If you mention a book, make sure you read it before the interview! If possible, try and re-read it too! Don't write anything you cannot expand upon, explain or defend in an interview. You must be prepared to discuss anything that you've written.

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Music Personal Statement Tips Sheet

A musical personal statement is quite important especially for someone who wants to further their studies in the field of music. It will show the selections or admissions committee or team since it sheds light on your career aspirations in this field as well as your character. In a personal statement music technology developments in the music industry are shown to show familiarity with the field of interest.

Steps on How to Write a Music Personal Statement

There are some steps that you should follow in order for you to come up with an exemplary and flawless music statement of purpose, you can use these steps for any ps, including personal philosophy statement . The steps are as follows:

• Begin the music technology personal statement with a catchy opening sentence. It should be original and precise and it should not be copied or regularly used as a cliché.
• Make sure you answer particular questions. This includes explaining who you are, what your goals are as well as the personal reasons for desiring admissions to a specific music program.
• In your music technology personal statement, use logical and concrete examples to demonstrate your statements. You could end the personal statement using very modest language. In the personal statement music technology is given focus.

Dos and Don’ts While Writing a Music Personal Statement

There are a couple of dos and don’ts that you should put into account so that you come up with an exemplary music statement of purpose (as well as for writing a diversity statement ). The don’ts include:

Image credit: slidesharecdn.com

• Don’t be chatty and unofficial. Considering you are using the personal statement to seek a competitive position, make sure that you avoid using slang and approaching the subject matter casually.
• Famous quotes should be avoided since these will be applied in countless other applications. Many people will be using them equally yet you intend to be as unique and authentic as possible.
• Don’t be tempted to ask another party to write the personal statement for you. You should also avoid rewriting it from another person’s copy. Rather, write it personally from scratch to present the best version of yourself in it.

Some of the Dos That You Should Put into Consideration Include

• Organizing the write-up appropriately. You can make bullet points and also address the issues from the most to the least important.
• Making sure you spare enough time to review and edit personal statement music conservatoire before submitting it. Proofreading gets rid of all mistakes and errors made during writing.
• Being specific while addressing the key points that make up the personal statement about music rather than being general about them.
• In the music personal statement, do a proper show on the subject matter to show you are up to date with the developments in the particular field.

Tips on How to Make Your Music Personal Statement Win

There are a couple of tips that you should put into consideration to make sure that your personal statement music production is winning. The tips are as follows:

• In your music grad school personal statement, you should show your enthusiasm for the subject in whatever you put across to show that you are really interested. You could state the reason for interest as well as anything you are doing differently that’s to do with the subject.
• You should make the graduate music personal statement convincing enough, so make sure to provide the reader with your academic interest and future plans, and how it can change the world in the future.
• Apart from listing your academic qualifications as well as job experiences, you should show evidence you have actually thought about the choice of degree and you are excited about it. You could put out some information or questions you would like answered by the study.
• While expressing yourself be less emotional and organize your thoughts in a logic way, even when you say about your passion for the subject.
• Be specific enough as well, for instance, you can mention some particular books or someone’s activity that inspired you. This will display your awareness of study field you are applying to.
• To stand out, you could make references to sources that are not in the A level syllabus. This depicts some kind of independence in reading.

If you need any form of help with writing your statement about music, make sure to reach out to us and we will be ready to assist you and work with you.

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How to Write a Strong Personal Statement

• Ruth Gotian
• Ushma S. Neill

A few adjustments can get your application noticed.

Whether applying for a summer internship, a professional development opportunity, such as a Fulbright, an executive MBA program, or a senior leadership development course, a personal statement threads the ideas of your CV, and is longer and has a different tone and purpose than a traditional cover letter. A few adjustments to your personal statement can get your application noticed by the reviewer.

• Make sure you’re writing what they want to hear. Most organizations that offer a fellowship or internship are using the experience as a pipeline: It’s smart to spend 10 weeks and $15,000 on someone before committing five years and $300,000. Rarely are the organizations being charitable or altruistic, so align your stated goals with theirs
• Know when to bury the lead, and when to get to the point. It’s hard to paint a picture and explain your motivations in 200 words, but if you have two pages, give the reader a story arc or ease into your point by setting the scene.
• Recognize that the reviewer will be reading your statement subjectively, meaning you’re being assessed on unknowable criteria. Most people on evaluation committees are reading for whether or not you’re interesting. Stated differently, do they want to go out to dinner with you to hear more? Write it so that the person reading it wants to hear more.
• Address the elephant in the room (if there is one). Maybe your grades weren’t great in core courses, or perhaps you’ve never worked in the field you’re applying to. Make sure to address the deficiency rather than hoping the reader ignores it because they won’t. A few sentences suffice. Deficiencies do not need to be the cornerstone of the application.

At multiple points in your life, you will need to take action to transition from where you are to where you want to be. This process is layered and time-consuming, and getting yourself to stand out among the masses is an arduous but not impossible task. Having a polished resume that explains what you’ve done is the common first step. But, when an application asks for it, a personal statement can add color and depth to your list of accomplishments. It moves you from a one-dimensional indistinguishable candidate to someone with drive, interest, and nuance.

• Ruth Gotian is the chief learning officer and associate professor of education in anesthesiology at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York City, and the author of The Success Factor and Financial Times Guide to Mentoring . She was named the #1 emerging management thinker by Thinkers50. You can access her free list of conversation starters and test your mentoring impact . RuthGotian
• Ushma S. Neill is the Vice President, Scientific Education & Training at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center in New York City. She runs several summer internships and is involved with the NYC Marshall Scholar Selection Committee. ushmaneill

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Musician CV example

Dream of landing a great role in the music industry? The first step to success if a killer CV.

A properly formatted, well-written and tailored CV will seriously increase your chances of landing an interview.

But if you’re not sure where to start, this guide will steer you in the right direction.

It contains everything you need to put forward a job-winning application, including a tried-and-tested example musician CV.

Here’s what I’ll cover in the guide:

Guide contents

• Music CV example
• Structuring and formatting your CV
• Writing your CV profile
• Detailing work experience
• Your education
• Skills required for your music CV

CV templates 

The example CV above should give you a could idea of how to layout your CV for maximum impact.

This candidate puts forward their key skills and experience in a punchy profile and core skills list, allowing the reader to see their potential from the start.

The clearly-formatted headings also mean it’s easy for recruiters to scan through the document and pinpoint the information they’re seeking.

Build your CV now 

Music CV structure & format

With recruiters potentially reading hundreds of CVs per role, they don’t have long to review each application.

That’s why, above anything, your music CV should be well-presented, clear and concise.

By using my simple structure and format tricks, you can ensure your CV is easy to read and has a professional appearance.

Formatting Tips

• Length:  The unwritten rule of CV length is 2 sides of A4 or less. This forces you to focus on the most relevant information and ensures your CV doesn’t become tedious.
• Readability:  Your overarching aim should be to make your CV as easy to read as possible. So, break up any large blocks of texts into smaller paragraphs and, where possible, format information into short, sharp bullet points. Format your CV section headings so that they clearly stand out.
• Design:  You might be a creative genius, but be careful with your CV design. Generally, a simple design with a muted colour palette and clear font is best. However, if you do want to add some personality to the design, remember to prioritise readability over style.
• Things to avoid:  Generally, images and profile photos aren’t necessary. However, do double-check whether the job advertisement specifically asks you to include a profile photo, as they’re more common in the performance and entertainment sector.

Structuring your CV

Break your key information up into the following CV sections:

• Contact details – These should always sit at the very top of your CV.
• Profile – A short introductory paragraph that summarises your music experience and why you’re a great fit for the role.
• Work experience / Career history – Work backwards through your most relevant roles and/or contracts.
• Performances – If applicable, add a short and snappy list of your key performances.
• Education –  Highlight your academic background, focusing on your industry-specific qualifications.
• Interest and hobbies – An optional section, which you can use to demonstrate your commitment to the music industry.

Next, we’ll go through each CV section in greater detail, so you understand exactly what you need to include :

CV Contact Details

Kick-off your CV by listing your contact details.

These only need to be basic at this stage – there’s no point wasting space with excessive detail.

Here’s what you should include:

• Phone number
• Email address
• Location  – Just list your town or city, for example, ‘London’ or ‘Manchester’ .
• If you have one, add a link to your music portfolio or website.

Music CV Profile

At the very top of your CV, you should write a personal profile (or personal statement for junior or graduate applicants).

This should be a well-rounded summary of your music skills, experience and achievements to date.

Recruiters normally read this first, so your aim should be to hook their attention and entice them into the rest of your CV.

Tips to consider when creating your profile:

• Tailor it to the job:  If your profile doesn’t contain the information that recruiters are looking for, they might chuck your CV in the bin before reading the rest. So, make sure it contains highly relevant information and paints you as the perfect fit for the job requirements.
• It should be short and snappy:  A paragraph length of between 5-10 lines is perfect for experienced candidates, while junior and graduate candidates can go up to 15 lines. This keeps the tone punchy and exciting; enticing recruiters to continue reading and find out more about you.
• Avoid clichés:  It might be tempted to describe yourself as a  “talented and passionate musician who always gives 110%”,  but generic phrases like this are best avoided. Recruiters have no reason to believe your claims, so it’s more effective to put forward hard facts, accomplishments and achievements instead.
• Avoid objectives: If you’re an experienced applicant, don’t add your objectives or motives to your profile – save them for your cover letter . However, graduates and junior candidates should briefly touch on the type of roles they’re seeking and why.

Quick tip: Spelling and grammar mistakes could make your CV look unprofessional. Use our quick-and-easy CV Builder , to check it over for errors.

What to include in your music CV profile?

• Specialism – Whether you play an instrument, are a music producer, a singer, a songwriter or DJ, your specialism should immediately be made clear.
• Level of experience  – Are you a recent graduate? 2 years of experience? 10+ years of experience? No matter what type of music career you’re looking for, recruiters need to know your experience level.
• Relevant experience/projects/contracts  – Summarise your relevant experience so far – this might be employed roles, contracts, university placements, personal projects and performances.
• Music qualifications – Highlight your highest and most relevant qualifications, whether that’s a music degree , A-Level and/or specific instrument grades.
• Music skills  – Showcase your relevant music skills, tailoring them to the job requirements if possible. For example, music theory, production, music history, songwriting, symphony experience…
• Performances and/or achievements   – If applicable, make sure to mention a couple of your stand out musical performances. You should also list your key accomplishments in your career to date, such as notable venues you performed at, exemplary feedback you achieved, impressive marks you received during a music exam, leading musicians you’ve worked with or notable artists/musicians you’ve worked alongside. Bear in mind that these will inevitably vary depending on your specific profession, but anything that makes you stand out is worth including.

Core skills section

Next, prove your suitability for the role by listing your core music skills and specialisms.

Format these into 2-3 columns of bullet points for maximum impact.

Your list should be tailored to the role, highlighting the skills, techniques, software and disciplines mentioned in the job advertisement.

Work experience/Career history

Next up is your work experience section, which some music professionals might find difficult.

Depending on the nature of your job, you might have what’s referred to as a ‘mosaic career’ – ie, numerous short-term roles and contracts.

But busy recruiter or casting directors don’t want to read about every contract you’ve ever had, so you need to be selective.

What’s the solution? Try to prioritise space and go into the most detail for your biggest and most relevant jobs/contracts.

If you run out of space, just list the name of the show or company you worked on/for, along with the dates, for your oldest or most irrelevant roles.

For musicians/performers, another option is to highlight longer contracts in a work experience section, but then include a  ‘Performances’   section underneath, where you provide a snappy list of the key shows you’ve been part of.

Ultimately, no matter what your career path looks like, it’s best to focus on relevancy to the target role.

Quick tip:  If you write or compose music, add an ‘Original Compositions ‘ section and cite your stand out pieces or albums.

Structuring your roles

If you want to keep recruiter’s attention hooked, your work experience needs to be snappy and easy to digest.

My 3-step role structure, as outlined below, will allow them to scan through your career history without missing on critical information:

Start with a well-rounded overview of the company you worked for, what the role or contract entailed and who you worked alongside.

“Lead violinist in the string section of a major orchestra, performing for audiences ranging from 100-8,000.”

Key responsibilities

Share a punchy list of your key duties, using short bullet points for ease of reading.

• Regularly performed for large audiences; with an average of 5,000.
• Lead a team of 10 violinists to meet high performance standards and ensure a cohesive sound.
• Tutored junior violinists to play the advanced parts of assigned pieces.

Key achievements

To impress recruiters even further, create a list of your key achievements within the role.

This might be results, feedback, awards or ratings, or anything else that added value to the employer, a client or the audience.

If you can, quantify your examples using hard facts and figures.

• Headhunted to contribute to several BBC TV soundtracks.
• Started and managed a free club for gifted young violinists.
• Organised a charity concert and fundraised over £20,000 in ticket sales.

After your work experience, use the education section to display your qualifications.

Start with your sector-specific music qualifications, such as your degree, a music BTEC , music A-Level, or specific instrument theory and practical grades.

You should share the institution or governing body, your grades and the dates of study.

Then, give a brief overview of your other qualifications, especially if they’re in some way relevant to the role.

Quick tip:  Junior and graduate candidates should add more detail to this section. If there were any aspects of a course – such as an assignment, placement or project – that are particularly relevant to the role you’re applying for, discuss them in further detail.

Interests and hobbies

This is an optional section, but it can be particularly useful in the music industry.

Musicians or other professionals in the music industry need to be passionate about the sector. Therefore, any hobby , side project or interest that showcases your commitment to music, or has helped you gain relevant skills, should be discussed.

For example, perhaps you’re part of a performing arts or music club, are learning a new instrument, produce music in your spare time or write songs.

Essential skills for your music CV

Careers in the music industry are varied, and the skillset need for a musician, sound engineer and music teacher will vary. Therefore, it’s essential to tailor your CV skills to your target role.

However, some common music skills include:

Instruments –  It comes as no surprise that the ability to play an instrument is often vital, whether that’s piano, guitar, violin, cello, bass…

Music theory – The ability to read and write music , as well as understanding of the practises, methods, concepts and terms used in creating and performing.

Performance  – Dedication to practise to achieve performance standards, as well as the confidence to perform in front of audiences.

Technical skills – Sound engineers and music producers will require a wide range of technical skills, such as sound design, editing and ghost production.

Teaching – Teaching clients or fellow musicians various elements of general musicianship, such as theory and instrumental technique.

Communication – Whether it’s working with organisations, venues, bandmates or artists, most music professions require solid communication and interpersonal skills.

Writing your music CV

If music is your dream career path, a flawless CV is an essential stepping stone to landing the best roles and contracts.

If you focus on tailoring your skills and experience to the job requirements and ensure your CV has a professional appearance, it’s sure to get attention.

Good luck with your job search.

Applying for Music at Oxbridge: The Course, and How To Craft A Standout Music Personal Statement

Find out more about the Oxbridge music courses and what to read/ listen to for your music personal statement with U2 tutor, Kai (1st Class Cambridge Music graduate and current Oxford PhD student, researching the existential implications of AI-composed music).

What does a Music course involve at Oxford or Cambridge?

Studying Music at university is an inspiring and thrilling experience—yet, until you have first-hand experience, it can be difficult to tell what an academic Music course actually entails. Specifically, how does studying Music at a university like Oxford or Cambridge differ from doing a performance or composition degree at a conservatoire? Is there a difference?

The short answer is yes—there is a huge difference. For although you can choose to make performance or composition play a role in your university studies, they will never become the main focus; at both Oxford and Cambridge, both performance and composition are each limited to around a fifth or sixth of your studies in a given year. So what do you do with the rest of your time? Here are some of the key components that make up most Music degrees:

Music history

o   This is usually focused on the development of Western music (all the way from plainchant to the present!); the emphasis is on the continuities and discontinuities between styles through history. For example, how did Schoenberg’s atonal music emerge from Wagner’s late Romanticism? At the same time, music history explores how music has both shaped and been shaped by the extra-musical features of its historical context, such as literature, visual art, philosophy, theology, and politics. For example, what impact did Stalin’s censorship have on Shostakovich’s musical style?

Theory and stylistic composition

o   This is the study of the fundamental methods and conventions that define a musical language. Although there will likely be an initial focus on the Western tonal and modal tradition—for example, Classical and Romantic harmony, Baroque fugue, and Renaissance counterpoint—there is also scope for things like jazz transcriptions, film music composition, and orchestration.

o   At first, analysis is not hugely differentiated from theory, as both involve understanding how music is constructed; at its most basic level, then, analysis involves things like identifying chords and structural markers in specific compositions. However, where analysis becomes really exciting is when you can build on these foundations to make your own judgments and interpretations. For example, there might be a Chopin nocturne you love, and that always makes you feel nostalgic; you could then try to get the bottom of how exactly Chopin’s compositional decisions—his choice of specific chords etc.—may serve to evoke such feelings.

Composition

o   Here you have ‘free reign’, as it were. Although you will be encouraged to find your own compositional voice, you will be exposed to lots of different musical styles, especially those of living composers, in order to inspire you.

Performance

o   This is predominantly assessed through solo recitals. However, given that you are studying at an academic university rather than a conservatoire, there is also an emphasis on understanding key issues in performance, rather than simply practising your instrument. For example, to what extent are a performer’s facial expressions part of their performance?

Ethnomusicology and sociology of music

o   These related areas constitute the study of music in specific cultural contexts, with a particular emphasis on how musical practices interact with social structures. Ethnomusicology differs subtly from sociology of music in its focus on musics that do not belong to the broad tradition of Western art music—for example, the gamelan music of Bali. The sociology of music tends to be more focused on issues like gender, sexuality, and power structures, as they manifest in the music of contemporary society.

Psychology of music (music and science)

o   This investigates how we perceive and are uniquely affected by music, using psychological methods such as listening experiments, surveys, and brain scans.

What should I read (and listen to!) in preparation for my music personal statement and interviews?

I would suggest, as a general rule, that there are two types of book you should read. Firstly, general overviews and introductions are extremely useful for providing a basic grounding in key areas, as well as for drawing your attention to specific topics that might strike you as especially fascinating. This brings me to the second type of book: more narrowly focused works on a specific topic, such as a composer, a period of history, or a key concept (such as cultural appropriation in music). Remember, though, that you are NOT expected to have read and to know everything! So even though I will provide quite a few suggestions, I would suggest that you stick to reading a couple of introductory books and a couple of books that align with your specific interests. What’s most important is that you read carefully and critically —make sure to note down your ideas as you read. This will be useful for your personal statement as admissions tutors are looking for applicants who can critique and present their opinions, rather than list an abundance of books they have read. Some introductory books include:

An Introduction to Music Studies , edited by JPE Harper-Scott and Jim Samson

o   This book consists of a series of chapters by renowned specialists on the key areas and themes in the study of music—in effect, a much expanded (and much better!) version of the summary I gave above.

Oxford’s Very Short Introductions

o   There are several of these for music, including: Music (in general); Film Music; Folk Music; Ethnomusicology; Psychology of Music; Early Music; World Music; Country Music; and The Blues. Because they are so short and readable, they are the perfect way to sample various areas.

A Guide to Musical Analysis , by Nicholas Cook

o   This is a readable overview of key concepts and techniques in musical analysis; it’s especially useful for those who are daunted by the topic.

Musicology: The Key Concepts , by David Beard and Kenneth Gloag

o   This book consists of a huge number of short entries on themes in musicology, including things like ethics, gender, globalization, interpretation, modernism, and the sublime.

In terms of the second type of book, there are two main ways to find them. You can look for what the above introductions reference when they are focusing on a particular theme. In addition, you can simply search on a website that sells books—such as Amazon, Waterstones, or Blackwell’s—for the topic you are interested in, such as Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring . In general, books published by university presses, such as Oxford and Cambridge, will be more detailed and will be written by specialist academics; for this reason, I would encourage you to give some a go, but also not to be discouraged if you don’t understand everything at this stage. The key point is to read what grabs your attention —for this reason, there is no extensive general reading list I can give. That said, here are some personal suggestions for particularly good books on specific areas:

The Rest is Noise , by Alex Ross

o   This is an extremely popular book, and rightly so. Ross takes you on a journey through twentieth-century music, from late Romanticism, through Stockhausen, to Rock music.

The Classical Style and The Romantic Generation , by Charles Rosen

o   Both these books are classics, and focus on the Classical and Romantic eras respectively. Their main strength is Rosen’s ability to present deep insights from the music itself—they are ‘serious’ musicology—in a beautifully readable manner.

Cambridge Music Handbooks

o   This is a series of short books, written by specialists, each of which focuses on a specific piece, from Bach’s Mass in B Minor to The Beatles’s Sergeant Pepper . They are both accessible and rigorous.

Sound and Symbol , by Viktor Zuckerkandl.

o   This is a beautiful and quite poetic book that explores the experience of listening to music. Although there is some analysis, it is engaging throughout and never dry. 

Finally, it is crucial never to stop listening to music! Never just read a book on musical history without looking up some of the music mentioned and listening to it yourself—otherwise, what’s the point of studying music? Listen to what you love, read about what you love to listen to, and listen to what you are reading about. At the same time, listen to pieces outside your comfort zone , and make sure you are familiar with some of the seminal pieces in the history of music —not just because they are important in the study of music due to their influence, but also because they are generally amazing!

Some good music pieces to listen to for Oxbridge applications

Try listening to a few pieces a week, along with the score (there are many YouTube videos with the audio synced up with the score). Here are some suggestions, in chronological order—this list is by no means exhaustive, and is focused on the kind of music that you will encounter whilst studying music history (that is, music from the Western art music tradition):

·         Dies Irae anonymous plainchant

·         O Ignis Spiritus Paracliti , by Hildegard of Bingen (12th century)

·         Viderunt Omnes , by Perotin (c.1200)

·         Ave Maria Virgo Serena , by Josquin (c.1475)

·         Missa Papae Marcelli , by Palestrina (c.1562)

·         Vespers , by Monteverdi (1610)

·         St Matthew Passion , by Bach (1741)

·         Piano Concerto no.21 , by Mozart (1785)

·         Symphony no.9 , by Beethoven (1824)

·         Dichterliebe , by Schumann (1840)

·         Tristan and Isolde (especially the Prelude and Liebestod ), by Wagner (1865)

·         Symphony no.4 , by Brahms (1885)

·         Symphony no.9 (‘From the New World’) , by Dvorak (1893)

·         Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun , by Debussy (1894)

·         Symphony no.5 , by Mahler (1902)

·         Violin Concerto , by Sibelius (1905)

·         Gaspard de la nuit , by Ravel (1908)

·         Three Piano Pieces op. 11 , by Schoenberg (1909)

·         Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis , by Vaughan Williams (1910)

·         The Rite of Spring , by Stravinsky (1913)

·         Cello Concerto , by Elgar (1919)

·         Symphony , by Webern (1928)

·         Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta , by Bartok (1937)

·         Symphony no.5 , by Shostakovich (1937)

·         Appalachian Spring , by Copland (1944)

·         Peter Grimes , by Britten (1945)

·         Four Last Songs , by Richard Strauss (1948)

·         Le marteau sans maître , by Pierre Boulez (1955)

·         Atmosphères , by Gyorgy Ligeti (1961)

·         Sinfonia , by Luciano Berio (1969)

·         Black Angels , by George Crumb (1970)

·         Rothko Chapel , by Morton Feldman (1971)

·         Music for 18 Musicians , by Steve Reich (1976)

·         Symphony of Sorrowful Songs , by Henryk Gorecki (1976)

·         Asyla , by Thomas Adès (1997)

·         Orion , by Kaija Saariaho (2002)

·         Partita for 8 Voices, by Caroline Shaw (2012)

·         Become Ocean , by John Luther Adams (2013)

Remember, the point of a personal statement is to be personal. Professors are looking for applicants who can demonstrate certain abilities, but how you gain those abilities and how you exhibit them in your personal statement and at interview is completely up to you and should be determined by your interests. Studying music at Cambridge or Oxford is an incredible experience.

Good luck, and happy reading and listening!

Looking for a Cambridge or Oxford Music Personal Statement Writing Tutor or Support For Your Wider Oxbridge Music Application?

Music Degree Personal Statement Support

U2’s Oxbridge-educated mentors have a close insight into what admissions tutors like to see in a Music personal statement, and can help students to convey their skills, motivations, and long term goals, in order to stand out from other applicants. The statement should be the candidates own work, but our mentors will provide direction and guide you through the process of content building and writing. We offer offline drafting as well as tuition sessions.

Oxbridge Music Mentoring

U2 offers wider Oxbridge Mentoring programmes (book a free consultation to discuss options). We have a large team of Oxford and Cambridge Music tutors including 1st Class, Master’s and PhD level graduates.

The Process:

1) We suggest a Cambridge or Oxford Music graduate as a mentor and send their full CV for review. Our mentors are deeply familiar with the admissions process to study Music at Oxford and Cambridge University, and are well-placed to guide you through personal statement curation and preparation for the interview process. We may suggest a range of application tutors to choose from with slightly differing rates depending on qualifications and level of experience.

2) We typically suggest beginning with a 1.5 hour informal assessment/ taster session , where the mentor will informally assess the student’s current performance level for application, including test and interview. Following this, we issue a report with feedback, and structure a plan to best prepare.

3) U2’s approach for regular Oxbridge Music application sessions: The main focus of tutorial sessions will be to explore material that can be discussed in the personal statement and at interview - this may sometimes stretch to First Year Undergraduate. Mentors ensure each student refines their interests, and is exposed to a range of new concepts, guiding students in their reading and wider subject exploration. Together, we build a case for the student, solidifying the stance and direction they will take during interview and honing critical discussion and analytical skills for interview.

Frequency of sessions can be decided between student and mentor. Students can take either ad hoc sessions, or we structure a full programme for preparation, which may include further co-curricular opportunities such as our Oxbridge mock interview days. Honing the skills necessary to succeed for Oxbridge ideally requires long-term preparation and mentoring presents a wonderful opportunity to learn from some of the very best Oxbridge has produced.

Sessions from £75/h.

Preparing for Philosophy at University: Reading, Personal Statement and Oxbridge Interview Questions

Preparing for computer science at university: reading, super-curriculars, oxbridge interview questions and more.

• Personal statement advice: business and management

Applying to university

• Getting started
• UCAS Tariff points
• Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
• Amendments to the Tariff consultation
• Offer rate calculator
• How to use the offer rate calculator
• Understanding historical entry grades data
• Admissions tests
• Deferred entry
• Personal statement advice and example: computer science
• Personal statement advice: English
• Personal statement advice: Midwifery
• Personal statement advice: animal science
• Personal statement advice: biology
• Personal statement advice: chemistry
• Personal statement advice: dance
• Personal statement advice: dentistry
• Personal statement advice: drama
• Personal statement advice: economics
• Personal statement advice: engineering
• Personal statement advice: geography
• Personal statement advice: history
• Personal statement advice: law
• Personal statement advice: maths
• Personal statement advice: media studies and journalism
• Personal statement advice: medicine
• Personal statement advice: modern languages
• Personal statement advice: music
• Personal statement advice: nursing
• Personal statement advice: pharmacy
• Personal statement advice: physiotherapy
• Personal statement advice: politics
• Personal statement advice: psychology
• Personal statement advice: social work
• Personal statement advice: sociology
• Personal statement advice: sports science
• Personal statement advice: statistics
• Personal statement advice: teacher training and education
• Personal statement advice: veterinary medicine
• Personal statement: finance and accounting
• Filling in your application
• Staying safe online
• How to write a personal statement that works for multiple courses
• How To Write Your Undergraduate Personal Statement
• Fraud and similarity
• How to start a personal statement: The attention grabber
• How to end your personal statement
• Introducing the personal statement tool
• Personal statement dos and don'ts
• What to include in a personal statement
• Using AI and ChatGPT to help you with your personal statement
• Using your personal statement beyond a university application
• Carers, estranged students, refugees, asylum seekers, and those with limited leave to remain
• Personal statement guides
• References for mature students

Whether talking about a recent news story, how you meet targets in your weekend job, or simply why you want to study business at uni, that spark of genuine motivation and enthusiasm will get you noticed. That's what business admissions tutors told us when we asked them what they look for – and here are some more of their top tips.

Find out everything you need to know about writing your personal statement , including how to write a killer opening and our top tips.

A spot-on business personal statement – in a nutshell

Dr Pam Croney, admissions tutor at Newcastle Business School at Northumbria University, is especially looking for evidence of:

• an independent learner
• a thinker and doer
• an innovator or potential entrepreneur
• a good communicator who likes giving presentations
• an interest in what's happening out there in the business world

Can you demonstrate any of these?

She also likes it when applicants give their own views on a topical issue, like why you think a particular company crashed, what sparked the revival of a vintage brand, or whatever else gets you fired up. Admissions tutors love to know what you’re genuinely enthusiastic about!

What business and management tutors are looking for

• Structure and organisation: to study management, you need to demonstrate that you are capable of managing yourself. Your personal statement needs to be structured, organised, and free of spelling or grammatical errors.
• First impressions count: Sue Blything-Smith, Business and Management Admissions Tutor from University Campus Suffolk, says 'you should aim to be unique and original and provide a good opening line that reveals something about your aptitude and enthusiasm’. She really likes to see statements that demonstrate personality and flair but don't go too over the top: keep it formal and remain objective.
• Examples of your relevant skills: Sue is also impressed by applicants who describe situations where they’ve demonstrated relevant skills like good communication or teamwork, problem-solving, initiative, leadership, or achieving goals.
• Research the course: London School of Economics is keen to know things like why you want to study management, what specific aspects of their course interest you, how it relates to your academic studies, and what additional reading or other activities have led you to apply.
• Entrepreneurial flair: Bournemouth likes its business studies applicants to show they are 'self-starters' who enjoy identifying and solving business problems.

Making your business experience count

It’s not just what you've done but how you've reflected on it. If you work-shadowed the CEO of a multi-national company, that's great, but it will have zero impact unless you spell out what you personally gained from it.

Similarly, if your part-time supermarket job or role in a Young Enterprise programme has helped you develop your skills and confidence, that’s great too. But it will only have an impact on your statement if you explain how or give an actual example.

It's the "how" that brings your statement to life and makes it interesting and personal. So try to think of specific occasions or unique ways you have demonstrated your potential, or maybe something you've observed about customer behaviour, management styles or an effective (or ineffective) marketing campaign.

It's even better if you can then link it to something you've learned in your business, economics, or psychology studies, or read in the Financial Times, The Economist, or on the BBC website.

Or consider the transferable skills you've gained through extracurricular activities and how they can show what the University of Bath describes as 'an active interest in understanding people, work, and organisations'.

Check out our guide to business, management, and administrative studies  to find out what courses are available, areas of employment, and where to find out more about careers.

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16 Inspiring Speaker Bio Examples to Help You Write Your Own

• Nathan Mixon
• August 20, 2024

Table of Contents

A well-crafted speaker bio is key to presenting and introducing yourself to the world. This is where you can give a glimpse into your story while also building your personal brand, attracting clients, and establishing your credibility as a professional speaker. It’s not just about your message but it tells why you and your story are so well-suited to provide the message. This article will guide you on how to write an effective speaker bio and will provide top-notch bios to inspire you in writing your own. Let’s get into it!

The Importance of a Speaker Bio: Why Your Speaker Bio Matters

• First Impressions : First impressions matter because they shape how others perceive you almost instantly – you only get one chance at a first impression. These first interactions are crucial for establishing trust, credibility, and professionalism as a professional speaker. A solid, welcoming first impression can open doors to opportunities and help build your strong personal brand. With a speaker bio, you don’t have to worry about body language and other physical cues – just use your words to impress. Since first impressions are hard to change, making a positive one sets the tone for all future interactions.
• Brand Representation : A speaker bio can be a great way to give a snapshot of your personal and professional identity as a speaker. It gives you an opportunity to communicate your values, expertise, and unique qualities as a professional. Let other people understand exactly what you stand for and what you offer
• Networking Tool : Using your speaker bio as an introduction will make you more memorable in networking situations. If your bio shows your expertise and value, it will likely attract like-minded pros and collaborators, including event-planners. This may open doors to more speaking engagements!

Find Out Exactly How Much You Could Make As a Paid Speaker

Use The Official Speaker Fee Calculator to tell you what you should charge for your first (or next) speaking gig — virtual or in-person! 

Key Elements of a Great Speaker Bio

Name and industry.

I shouldn’t have to write this. Obviously, your bio should give your name, your industry, and any titles you have. This clearly states who you are, what you do, and what you’re all about. The reader needs and wants this context to understand who you really are. Having this at the outset of your bio creates that strong first impression we talked about earlier.

Current Role and Organization

Next, you’re going to want to clearly state your status as a speaker to establish your role and responsibilities. If you are part of an organization, give an overview of the organization, including its mission and core activities. Be clear on how your particular role contributes to the organization’s goals and objectives. If you are not part of an organization, state your professional role as a speaker and show how you can contribute to the goals and objectives of different events and speaking opportunities . Stating this clearly and early helps readers quickly grasp the scope of your work and its impact within your field – which leads to the next important element of a good speaker bio.

Expertise and Experience

The next element of a good speaker bio is a summary of your core areas of expertise that align with your speaking topics. Establishing expertise is an area that we, at The Speaker Lab, emphasize non-stop for speakers. Mention any certifications or qualifications that will enhance your personal credibility as a speaker and an influencer. This is the part of your bio that you also want to highlight your professional experiences that will support your authority and expertise in your subject matter. You want to set yourself apart in your field so readers, whether they be potential audience members or decision-makers (clients), see you as an expert with real value to offer that they can’t find elsewhere. This section should reinforce your suitability and appeal as a professional speaker for your intended audiences.

Career Highlights and Achievements

This element goes hand-in-hand with the one we just covered. Beyond touching on your life and professional experiences, make sure you talk about awards and recognitions you’ve received that establish your credibility as a speaker and thought leader. Mention any major achievements as this helps demonstrate your expertise and the impact of your work in your industry. This is probably the most important place to show your success (brag a little) and indicate the value that you bring to every audience you have. It’s all about showing your proven track record in the industry. This is why you are a sought-after speaker and thought leader in your field.

Personal Touch

Finally, add some personal details about yourself that make you more relatable and approachable to your audience. Humanize your bio to show that you are more than just your (very extensive and impressive) professional achievements. This helps create a connection with your readers and audience, making them more likely to engage with your message while also adding depth and personality to your bio, making it more memorable. This part is where you can show you have a well-rounded, full life just like every one of your readers, making you more relatable to diverse audiences.

Writing Tips for a Speaker Bio

Know your audience.

A good speaker bio is tailored to ensure it resonates with the specific audience you’re addressing and the decision makers you want to lure in. By tailoring your bio to a particular group, you can highlight your most relevant skills and experiences for them. It increases the impact of your bio by aligning it with event attendees’ or event organizers’ interests and expectations, while also demonstrating that you understand and value them and their needs.

Keep It Concise and Relevant

The length of your bio can vary. Sometimes speakers will have a short “About Me” section and then a longer, more thorough bio. If that’s the case, then two or three paragraphs is fine. If you only have one section, try to keep it to one or two paragraphs that delivers your information quickly and clearly. This will ensure that all the essential details are included without overwhelming your readers or losing the reader’s attention. Keep the focus on your most impactful points so as to make your bio memorable. Also, respect reader’s time, especially in settings where space is limited like event programs. On your website you have a bit more freedom to have a bit more content.

Use a Professional Tone

In your speaker bio, try to strike the right balance between expertise and relatability. Keep the bio engaging by establishing credibility while also helping the reader connect with you on a personal, human level. This will enhance your likability in the speaking industry. Don’t use overly formal language – just make sure your message is clear and inviting and reinforces your personal brand as both knowledgeable and personable.

Include a Call to Action

This element is not a must, but some speakers like to use it in order to foster continuing interaction and interest. A clear call to action, such as visiting another page on your site or following you on social media, fosters ongoing engagement and create opportunities to get deeper with clients and audience members. It can also be a way to strengthen your network by making it easier for readers to stay in touch or learn more about your continuing work.

Regular Updates

Another important thing to remember is that as you evolve and your career builds over time, you need to make sure your bio reflects that. Update your bio regularly to highlight recent achievements, career developments, high-profile gigs, etc. Keep the content relevant to your current focus and audience expectations, because those will also change over time. Outdated information will misrepresent your expertise or status in the speaking industry.

Examples of Great Speaker Bios

Now we’re going to show you a slew of other speakers and their bio examples that you can use as inspiration. Real-world examples give practical insight into what makes a bio effective, using the elements we’ve described. They come in different shapes and sizes but each pull different elements together to create a compelling narrative in short form. Hopefully, by looking through these excellent bios by established professional speakers, you can be inspired and have some guidance for your writing process for your own bio.

Lauren Sergy

What Makes Lauren Sergy’s Bio Effective

Lauren’s bio starts with a strong, clear statement about her expertise in speaking and communication for leaders and professionals, particularly in business, which sets the stage for what she offers. She emphasizes her extensive experience as a speaker, coach, and trainer with international audiences which helps to showcase her reach and credibility. She also highlights her academic background (which includes advanced degrees and certifications) to reinforce her professional authority and mentions previous teaching roles she has had at reputable universities, as well as appearances on TV and radio programs. Her status as an authoritative figure is not left out in any way. Her published works are included and she makes sure to highlight notable clients and organizations that she has worked with (including T-Mobile and the government of Alberta), showing her diverse and high-profile clientele and audiences. The whole bio uses an engaging and approachable tone which helps keep Lauren relatable and appealing to potential clients.

Erick Rheam

What Makes Erick Rheam’s Bio Effective

As you can see above, Erick chooses to go with a two-section format. He has a quick overview under his “About Me” section and then a more detailed account under the “Biography” section. The “About Me” section gets to the point right away and give a very brief summary of Erick’s background, current role, and mission. For readers who are interested in knowing more about Erick, there is a more comprehensive look into his diverse experience, from military service to professional speaking in the second section. He includes personal achievements and hobbies, like his running and coaching career, to keep it relatable and also highlights his published work, former roles, and particular successes in the industry to establish credibility.

Chris Failla

What Makes Chris Failla’s Bio Effective

Chris’s bio starts with a clear, personal intro that gets straight to the point and lists his unique attributes as a “listener” and “re-framer,” giving a sense of what his mission is. His bio then details his qualifications as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, his educational background, and coaching experience. He makes sure to mention his specific expertise in CliftonStrengths and other leadership tools to showcase his particular, targeted approach to coaching and training. He also has a little list fun facts about his travels, hobbies, and language skills to humanize him and keep the reader’s attention. Chris also states his “Why,” something we stress at The Speaker Lab – a clear statement of his purpose and what drives him to do what he does and to share the message he has.

Dr. Allen Lycka

What Makes Dr. Allen Lycka’s Bio Effective

Dr. Lycka has experience beyond comprehension and his bio reflects that. It highlights his status as a leading cosmetic dermatologist and his vast contributions to the field, helping to make clear his credibility. He also provides relatability by includes his compelling personal story of overcoming a sever misdiagnosis, adding depth to his profile. The bio mentions the book he co-authored and his role as an international keynote speaker , showing his focus on “turning points” and business growth. This gives readers a sense of what he can offer specifically as a speaker.

What Makes Hal Elrod’s Bio Effective

Hal Elrod has an incredible story of survival. His bio obviously mentions this to give a powerful, inspirational element. On the page where his bio (above) is found, you can actually read a much more comprehensive personal story of Hal’s life and his experiences of surviving a severe car accident and a rare cancer. His bio also mentions his own roles as a keynote speaker, podcast host, and bestselling author – roles that came as a result of his inspiring story. He mentions his successful book, The Miracle Morning , and notes its impressive sales and ratings to showcase his impact and expertise on a wider audience and then talks about his recent projects, including a movie based on that book! He finishes with a small personal touch, mentioning his family and life in Austin, Texas.

Nanette Hitchcock

What Makes Nanette Hitchcock’s Bio Effective

Nanette’s bio focuses on her 25-year career as an Executive Leadership Coach and Speaker, emphasizing her experience and credibility. She mentions her Leadership Mastermind series and other leadership programs she is involved with to show her impact in her field and then clearly lists her mission and values, adding a human touch and aligning her professional mission with her personal values.

Molly Fletcher

What Makes Molly Fletcher’s Bio Effective

Molly’s bio is heavy on her professional accomplishments – not surprising for someone who has earned the nickname, “the female Jerry Maguire.” She had a pioneering role as one of the first female sports agents and has high-profile clients which shows her expertise and credibility. Molly also mentions her status as one of the most booked female speakers and the popularity of her TED talk, which is a familiar platform for most people. Her bio details her successful books and upcoming releases and lists major media appearances and features, as well as her own podcast. This all demonstrates her broad visibility and credibility across various platforms.

Chip Eichelberger

What Makes Chip Eichelberger’s Bio Effective

What really stands out in Chip’s bio as a way of establishing his credibility in the industry is the endorsement from Tony Robbins, a giant in the speaking business. That testimonials really speaks to his credibility, touching on his communication skills, commitment to improvement and his ability to make a significant impact. Chip’s role as Robbins’ international point person also shows his experience across multiple countries and organizations. The bio emphasizes his interactive and customized approach, something that will resonate with event planners who want something tailored to their agenda. His bio page also includes a short “snackable content” video as a bonus to add some extra value and to provide extra engagement for his readers.

Daniel Pink

What Makes Daniel Pink’s Bio Effective

Daniel, like Erick Rheam, has two sections to his bio: a short bio and long bio. His short bio is concise, introducing him and naming his latest and most well-known publications, and where he lives. His longer bio actually lists and describes each of his books. It also provides a detailed account of his work and achievements, giving a full picture of his career, and also including the significant milestones such as bestseller statuses, notable awards, and media appearances. He has a variety of degrees, honors, and fellowships that highlight his expertise and then he wraps up his bio with some personal information about his family and current life to add a human element to his myriad professional accomplishments.

Ravi Rajani

What Makes Ravi Rajani’s Bio Effective

Ravi is a TSL alumnus and has taken a unique form for his website’s bio. He opens with a memorable personal anecdote about his early love for storytelling and performance before getting into his career journey. He shares a candid look at his academic challenges, career shifts, and the discovery of his true passion. His story highlights his role as a storytelling consultant and the impact of storytelling in sales. He weaves in details about his family and his personal interests, making him very relatable. And finally, he concludes with his mission: a commitment to helping others through the power of storytelling.

Alex Demczak

What Makes Alex Demczak’s Bio Effective

Alex’s bio is straightforward. He lists his academic career and his current role. He notes his experience as a keynote speaker, author, and entrepreneur specializing in leadership and impact, which shows his credibility and expertise. The bio mentions his best-selling books, The Sale and Thrive U , which both focus on integrity, success, and inspirational stories, a key part of his personal brand. Alex speaks about his Speaker School and his multiple podcasts, as well as collaborations with diverse organizations from the Cincinnati Reds to the Space Force to Allstate. And of course, he describes his mission to enhance leadership and performance across various industries.

Rick Clemons

What Makes Rick Clemons’s Bio Effective

Rick’s bio is compelling because it’s grounded in his personal journey. He openly shares past struggles and the transformative experiences that shaped his current work which helps build trust and give a sense of authenticity. It also clearly outlines Rick’s mission: to help men struggling with their sexuality to live authentically and unapologetically. This focused message ensures that readers understand his purpose and the value he offers. Rick’s narrative includes specific, vivid details about his past struggles and eventual breakthroughs. By sharing his personal evolution Rick demonstrates how his experiences uniquely qualify him to help others. His language is bold and unfiltered and shows Rick’s straightforward and honest approach, which can be appealing to those looking for genuine guidance. The bio ends with a strong, motivational call to action, inviting readers to join him in living their truth.

Matt Abrahams

What Makes Matt Abrahams’s Bio Effective

Matt’s mention of his role as a Lecturer at Stanford University and recipient of the Alumni Teaching Award establish him as a leading expert in communication and mentioning his work as a professor, author, podcast host, and consultant shows his broad expertise and impact. By highlighting his consulting for the UN and involvement with major events like TED and Nobel Prize presentations, Matt really underscores his credibility and extensive high-profile experience. The inclusion of his books and podcast in his bio illustrates the actionable advice he provides and noting the widespread reach of his podcast and the success of his books emphasizes the effectiveness and popularity of his communication strategies.

Dan Martell

What Makes Dan Martell’s Bio Effective

Dan Martell’s bio includes his personal story of struggles and eventual success and this immediately adds credibility and relatability, showing he’s overcome significant challenges. Highlighting his achievements with multiple successful companies and his role as a coach to over 1,000 business owners establishes his authority in the speaking industry. Dan takes the narrative form in his bio and his journey from failure to success emphasizes his growth and the lessons learned, making his advice valuable. He clearly articulates the problems he helps solve for other entrepreneurs. The invitation to connect directly makes his bio actionable, encouraging potential clients to reach out for personalized support.

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A well-crafted bio highlights your professional achievements and expertise and also tells a compelling personal story. Whether you’re presenting yourself on a personal website, a social media profile, or a company directory, incorporating authenticity, clarity, and relevance into your bio will significantly enhance your connection with readers. By balancing professional accomplishments with the essence of your unique journey and values, you create a memorable impression that can attract audiences and reel in speaking gigs.

• Last Updated: August 16, 2024

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Popular music performance personal statement example.

From a young age I have been very interested in popular music and It's culture. My interest started at my family gatherings. My older cousins used to bring their instruments with them and play pop songs everyone knew and most times it ended up with everyone jamming and singing along. It was thrilling to be a part of and I was very intrigued by the way people can play instruments together by ear. I feel very grateful to have a musical family, It's given me a real appreciation for many different styles of music and cultures.

I play the bass guitar. I took it up after being fascinated by the deep sound and liked working together with the drummer as the solid foundation of an ensemble. I also play various hand drums which has taught me about some aspects of drumming and helps me play tighter. In school I learnt mainly by jamming with my friends. This quickly turned into a band and opened up the opportunity for us play regularly in school assemblies and start playing gigs in our local area. I started to learn about what is was to be a musician and I knew I wanted to take it further. I went to Walsall college to study a BTEC in popular music. It was very hands on and opened up my eyes to the greater world of music with lessons covering live sound, theory, producing and many more areas. It taught me a lot about how life can be in the music industry and about the jobs that are part of it. Overall college taught me many skills that help me get employed as a musician, like being able to think on my feet with improvisation.

I have played bass for a range of bands including function, church, metal, rock and acoustic. It's shown me the importance of being able to play many different styles and this gives me the ability to take more musical opportunities when the arise. Although playing an instrument is something I like to take seriously, I really enjoy it. I've learnt that when playing a show, just small things like being early and having a band dress code can really make an impact on how the band is received by the audience and venue staff. I consider the bass guitar to be my main instrument but I like to explore other areas of music too, as I find it essential to being a musician. I have an acoustic act with my brother. It has taught me about song writing, the use of vocal harmonies and computer software like Ableton Live to make audio samples and loops for the act.

I have had experience within other areas of music too. In my gap year in New Zealand I worked as a promoter for a pub, on top of my day job. I found it was mainly about convincing people that my venue and acts are worth seeing with a great deal of social networking, flyering and posters in key areas. Having done well as a promoter I got the position of choosing some of the bands, becoming a part of the events managing team. I found this to be a big responsibility and very rewarding. It helped me develop a closer relationship with the rest of the staff and the bands, giving me more opportunities for work.

In my non-musical interests I like to build and repair computers. This has given me an appreciation for quality with my builds and to be thorough in checking for faults with connections and systems. It's a skill which links with my live sound abilities. I also like to go to new places and experience new cultures. I have learned a lot from my time in New Zealand about myself and the music business and want to travel more in the future. It's also given me an appreciation and a much bigger interest in world music.

From my experiences over the past few years I am set on choosing music. I have a great desire to learn and with my experience in promotion and currently working on two different musical projects and working towards grade 6 theory, I really want to take myself to the next level of education. I feel that University is the way to get to that next step, with new learning and life opportunities.

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This personal statement was written by Biggs for application in 2013.

Biggs's Comments

Sent this off in December. It's getting me interviews! Hope it helps if your stuck.

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Onyeka Onwenu remembered: Nigerian pop star, activist and voice of national unity

Professor of Music, University of Ghana

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Austin Emielu is affiliated with Rhodes University, Makhanda, South Africa as Visiting Professor.

University of Ghana provides support as an endorsing partner of The Conversation AFRICA.

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The news of the death of Nigerian musician Onyeka Onwenu on 30 July 2024 hit me, as a musician and popular music scholar , like a thunderbolt. I have listened to and appreciated Onyeka’s music since I was in my 20s.

Onwenu was aged 72 – and video clips of her last performance at a birthday ceremony showed her energy level and exuberance, making the sudden transition hard to fathom.

Aspiring musicians in Nigeria looked up to the big names in the industry as models and sources of inspiration. Onwenu stood out as a rising star in the early 1980s, when I first heard her name. But it went beyond music. I watched her 1984 BBC-NTA documentary Nigeria: A Squandering of Riches on television. Written and presented by Onwenu, it was a masterpiece in terms of technical quality and its underpinning ideological intent. It spoke to the corruption of the Shehu Shagari administration (1979-1983).

Aired at the onset of the Muhammadu Buhari administration, the documentary made a strong political statement. It signposted Onwenu as a lover of, and strong voice for, a new Nigeria.

It also showed Onwenu’s talents, expertise and sound educational background. With these credentials and many more, Onwenu entered the Nigerian music scene with a bang. Although based in the financial hub, Lagos, she made an impact on the entire country.

Her song that first caught my interest was Onye ga b'egwu, an Igbo children’s folksong. In the 1990s and 2000s when I led my dance band and that of the Department of Performing Arts at the University of Ilorin, we frequently played covers of her popular songs like Ekwe, Wait For Me, You and I and Madawalowu, to the admiration of our audiences.

And when I won a government grant to do research on the contributions of Nigerian musicians to the anti-apartheid struggle in South Africa, I analysed her song Winnie Mandela. She eulogised Nelson Mandela’s wife as a heroine and extolled the virtues of womanhood in very trying conditions.

Onwenu brought class, style and respectability into the entertainment business and elevated the status of women in the performing arts. She proved that a woman’s worth and respectability do not necessarily lie with being a wife but in how she fulfils her destiny. She came into the music business at a time when respect for women in the industry was at a low ebb and quickly changed things. She was unstoppable in her exploits as a songwriter, singer, activist, media personality, actress and political figure.

Her style of music was unique and defies categories. Most importantly, she was a voice of national unity, calling for tolerance and justice through her music and her films.

Early life and education

Onwenu was born in 1952 in Obosi, then Eastern Region of Nigeria. She had her roots in Arondizuogu, present day Imo State, south-east Nigeria, where her father was from. She was the youngest of five children of educationist and politician D.K. Onwenu. Her father is said to have died tragically when Onwenu was only four years old, just a week before he was to start work as minister of education. She was raised in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

She had a BA in international relations and communication from Wellesley College, Massachusetts, and an MA in media studies from The New School for Social Research, New York, in the United States.

Despite years of schooling and working abroad, Onwenu remained connected to her roots as an Igbo woman. She revamped and recontextualised Igbo folksongs for contemporary relevance, as exemplified by songs like Onye ga b’egwu, Ekwe and Iyogogo. Yet she cannot be described as an ethnic musician. With smash hits like For the Love of You, In the Morning Light, One Love, You and I, Dancing in the Sun and the duet Wait for Me with King Sunny Ade, Onwenu established herself as a national and international artiste and personality.

By singing in her native Igbo and English, living in the multi-cultural and cosmopolitan city of Lagos, working with professionals and corporate bodies of diverse backgrounds, and her marriage to a Yoruba Muslim, Onwenu broke social and cultural barriers and communicated across a broad spectrum of audiences worldwide.

She not only brought global pop sounds into Nigerian music but also helped to spread Nigerian popular music abroad. Her signing on to the Benson and Hedges label, an international tobacco company that promoted Nigeria music massively in the 1990s, was significant.

Roles in public life

She used her music as an entry point to other roles – and as a political weapon. She performed her song Winnie Mandela to the great pleasure of Winnie and Nelson Mandela during their visit to Nigeria after his release from prison in May 1990 .

She was criticised for her involvement in the controversial “one-million march” in 1998 in support of the political ambitions of the later dictator Sani Abacha. However, in her book My Father’s Daughter she said she was tricked into performing at the event.

Onwenu was also a good actress, who featured in films like Rising Moon and Women’s Cot (2005), Half of a Yellow Sun (2013), Lion Heart (2018), Foreigner’s God (2019) and Ije Awele, (2022) among others.

Due to her activism and advocacy for women’s empowerment, she was appointed director general of the National Centre for Women Development in Abuja , Nigeria in 2013. She also served as chair of Imo State Council for Arts and Culture.

She demonstrated boldness and tenacity in dealing with issues in her life, including her struggles in marriage. Her career sustainability in a male-dominated entertainment industry is also commendable. She showed women they could be whoever they wanted to be even in the face of challenges in life.

At this time in Nigeria, where agitations for secession and ethnic profiling are threatening the country’s unity, it is worth recalling her message of One Love Keep us Together.

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