International Students
Alumni
"It was in my second year of High School in Texas when I
decided that studying in the UK was a viable option for me. The
year before, I had left the US for the first time on a choir trip
to Austria. My short stay outside of America opened my eyes to
possibilities I never imagined. I decided that studying at RWCMD
would give me an edge that very few American actors would have.
Being over 3,000 miles away from home required some considerable
adjustments, but remains a decision I will never regret. I knew if
I had any chance at beating the odds and actually being able to
make a professional career of acting, I would require the training
only a conservatoire could offer. The expense was considerable as
an international student, but a necessary one. After all anything
worth doing requires a certain amount of sacrifice. The hours were
long and very often what was expected of us seemed insurmountable,
but with the small student to instructor ratio I always had the
assistance I needed.
Studying in Cardiff over London is a large part of why I chose
RWCMD. I knew that I would have my entire professional career to
live in the fast-paced life of London or New York, and living in a
smaller city allowed me to focus more on my training. That's not to
say there weren't plenty of places to go when I needed to relax and
enjoy myself. Everything in Cardiff is within walking distance and
when the the Welsh weather turns dismal, taxis aren't that
difficult to find.
During my time at RWCMD I made valuable connections within the
industry. I had to learn a great deal of patience because the
audition process is very difficult, but getting to know
professionals and gleaning from their experiences was tremendously
helpful. The acting department prepares its students to be able to
walk directly into a professional career after graduating.
Most important of all, the acting course at RWCMD supports
actors as individuals. The small intake of students each year makes
it possible for the lecturers to focus more tightly on how to help
each actor to excel past his/her initial limitations. No two actors
are identical, therefore the training should be flexible to
accommodate them. Though a career in a creative medium requires
constant practical training, I felt that when I graduated from
RWCMD I was adequately prepared to work with a professional
company."
Alan Winner (USA)
BA (Hons) Acting
“In many ways Cardiff seems designed for students. I came all
the way from America to study in this one of a kind city and to be
surrounded by all the wonderful opportunities for growth, research
and performance that Cardiff has to offer. Cardiff is an open,
loving city and from the moment of my arrival I felt it was my
home. Any time of the year there is something fun happening here-
the huge bonfire and fireworks on Guy Fawkes Day, the Winter
Wonderland, the New Year Carnival, they just keep coming! Shopping
is fantastic and Queen St. does not have its rival in Wales for
fashion and practicality in one location. Cardiff also boasts a
wonderful public transport system that I rely on every day.
One of the most important things about the vocal program at
RWCMD is the amount of performance opportunity we can receive. A
student may perform as little or as much as they would like and for
some this is an invaluable asset. Something that struck me was the
good-natured attitude of all our teachers and coaches. They make
learning so much fun that it’s easy to forget we are in class. The
course is obviously thought out by vocal professionals and really
encompasses everything that a singer will realistically need to
have a successful career in music. We are given thorough diction,
movement and acting courses and I am particularly impressed by the
Business Skills component, which prepares us for that inevitable,
although often overlooked, part of our careers. A chance for an
education this enjoyable and well rounded should not be missed. At
RWCMD I cannot wait to get to class in the morning and I will
graduate as a happy, well-educated and confident musician.
There were many wonderful conservatories in the US, but I
accepted my place at RWCMD before I had even completed my other
auditions. What initially drew me to the college was its size and
impressive student-to-teacher ratio and their generous
accommodation of students with any type of disability. I was also
excited about the comprehensive and imaginative courses. It is a
stimulating environment for an artist at any level and as a mature
student I have really been challenged to new heights of creativity.
Interdepartmental dialogue is highly encouraged and the result is a
level of artistic awareness you will not find in a larger
institution. Another great characteristic of this school is the
teacher’s enthusiasm and ability to inform and excite students
about subjects far from their own major. There are wonderful
resources at the RWCMD library, as well as the University and no
information is out of our reach. No review of this college would be
complete without considering the food- and if there is one thing
outside of the RWCMD’s wonderful reputation that would have made my
decision, it would have been the mouth-watering, healthy and
inexpensive meals that are available to us every day right in the
cafeteria.”
Paulette Penzvalto (USA)
PG Diploma in Music