Jacob Hodge

"I graduated in 2019 with a Masters in Music and the Environment, having completed the BA Applied Music course in 2017. Studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands was an amazing personal development opportunity and was a fantastic experience throughout. I have benefitted hugely as a performer and composer with the environment and guidance that the university offers.

I was provided with the knowledge and skills to look at new musical concepts and develop my own ideas. For example, my honours dissertation looked at minimalism in film soundtracks and I built on this in the MA looking at sustainable creative endeavours and inclusive music pedagogies. I was able to combine these studies with an employment background in social care and began to research the use of minimalist techniques combined with assistive technologies to provide access to musical instrument performance for people with additional support needs. The distance study modes offered also allowed me to continue with employment throughout my studies.

In 2020, I established the music project, ‘Music Enable' which uses assistive technologies such as iPads to provide inclusive participant-led music sessions for people with additional support needs.

Being an alumni ambassador means I can give something back to the university which provided me with such wealth of skills and great opportunities!"