Principal Jane Harrison led the proceedings at St Michael and All Angels Church on 14 September, offering inspiration for the graduands: ‘You are at the edge of the aircraft, your skills and training are your parachute, you are ready to fly!’ 

The performing arts is a notoriously difficult industry to work in, but Director of the Schools of Musical Theatre and Acting, Chris Hocking gave encouragement by sharing some of the weird, wonderful and surprising jobs that ArtsEd staff members have undertaken to support their careers.

Musical Theatre and Acting students were represented by Mairi Barclay and Philip Tomlin, who offered their personal reflections on their time at ArtsEd and thanks to staff across the school.

Guest speaker and ArtsEd Patron Robert Lindsay is well known for his extensive career on stage and screen but lesser known for recording the Derby County football anthem played before every match, as Jane revealed! Robert was clearly delighted to be a part of this special day, advising the graduands that their creative careers could be seen as a game of snakes and ladders with many ups and downs. He stressed that they must take every opportunity to keep learning and growing and wished them the best for their bright futures.

Armed with this expert encouragement and guidance, the students were presented with their degrees by City University representative, Professor Steve Stanton and officially became graduates.