BY STEPHANIE ESLAKE
A music degree can be an intense – and intensely rewarding – life experience.
It doesn’t matter how old we are, or what discipline we choose to study. When we make the decision to learn about our art at an academic level, we are stepping toward a future dedicated to our passion. And that’s why it’s important to make the most of it while we can, before we venture into the professional world.
In this new series, we learn about what happens to musicians after they graduate from university. Through these interviews, we’ll explore how some of our generation’s leading talent have taken the knowledge they obtained at uni, and applied it into their careers.
You’ll read about the biggest challenges they faced during their studies, their confidence, and their big breaks.
Each one of these artists has graduated from the Queensland Conservatorium, and now reflects on how far they’ve come since their first day of study. In this interview, we chat with Georgie Hopson.
After she graduated from her music studies in 2014, the Toowoomba-born artist has reached success upon success: she was chosen as an understudy for the lead role in director Julie Andrews’ My Fair Lady with Opera Australia, has appeared in Channel Seven mini-series Hoges, and took out a 2015 Matilda Theatre Award for Best Emerging Artist.
Thanks for taking part in our chat! Tell us all about your musical life and career.
My pleasure! I have been working in musical theatre since graduating from Griffith in 2014!
I’ve [recently performed] in Opera Australia’s production of Evita, as ensemble and understudy for the role of Mistress.
Some of my previous roles include ensemble/Eliza Doolittle understudy in My Fair Lady (also Opera Australia), Cinderella in Into the Woods (Harvest Rain), Mabel in The Pirates of Penzance (Harvest Rain), Mary Poppins in Mary Poppins (Arts Centre Gold Coast), and ensemble in Oklahoma! (The Production Company).
Before we move forward, let’s talk about how you’ve arrived there. What did you study at university and why did you want to enrol in this area?
I studied Musical Theatre at the Griffith University Queensland Conservatorium.
I knew I loved singing, acting, and dancing; and I was encouraged by a singing teacher to audition for the musical theatre course at Griffith.
I knew it would be right for me, because musical theatre and performing have always been my greatest passion in life!
How did you find your academic experience?
I loved uni life. I made so many lifelong friends whilst studying at uni!
I actually started out studying a business degree at the Queensland University of Technology, but the minute I was accepted into the music course at Griffith, I changed over and didn’t look back. Business just didn’t feel right for me, as music was the thing I always wanted to do but just needed some encouragement to give me the confidence to make the switch.
What do you remember being your most challenging year, and why did you decide to push through?
My most challenging year was definitely second year of musical theatre. There was just such a huge workload: so many essays to write and performances to do! I remember being stressed out of my brain, and so tired all of the time!
But when you love something so much, hard work doesn’t feel as laborious, because you know it’s getting you one step closer to your dream. That’s what kept me going, and drove me to stick it out.
What were some of the most important lessons you picked up while you were a student that were not academic?
I learnt so many important life lessons at uni!
The first is that it doesn’t matter how talented you are if you don’t work hard. You must always put the work in, and always be prepared.
Secondly, your only real competition is with yourself. I learnt to focus on running my own race, rather than getting wrapped up in what everyone else was doing.
Lastly, whatever you do, do it with love! There is no point putting yourself through immense amounts of pressure unless it is for something that you are truly passionate about!
How did studying music at uni help increase your confidence as an emerging young artist?
It gave me a toolkit of skills and processes to be able to rely upon in audition, rehearsal, and performance situations. The knowledge that I acquired at uni has saved me when I’ve been under pressure, time and time again!
Tell us about how you navigated the world of music after your graduation. Did you have a “big break” or was it a very slow burn?
This is a tricky question. I feel like every job I do is a big break, and I also feel like my career has also been a slow burn! I think it’s impossible to view a career in music as simplistically as one way or another.
The only way I can describe it is as a rollercoaster of ups and downs. Some days, I’m working with actual living legends like Julie Andrews and Tina Arena, and I have to pinch myself. The next day, I’m working as a shop assistant in retail. That’s just the way it is.
The challenge most people find in this industry is mentally managing the highs and lows and the instability. For some, the stress isn’t worth it. For me, I wouldn’t have it any other way because I love it so much.
How have you used the networks obtained through your degree, and how do you work to maintain these relationships?
I definitely still stay in contact with the network I created at uni! Staff, students, and guest lecturers all become your colleagues and friends after uni.
I am constantly leaning on my network for mentorship, counsel, advice and friendship – it’s so important! You don’t have to rough it alone in the industry. It’s a hard life already, and having people who understand what you’re going through is invaluable.
In what ways do you continue to use the knowledge or skills you achieved during your studies, now that you’re well into your career?
Oh, I use it every day! Good technique in singing, acting, dancing, and voice and speech is the key to a long career; and I am always using the exercises and skills that I learnt – whether I’m performing, auditioning, rehearsing or just practising at home. For example, if I’m feeling a bit croaky with my voice one day, and I have a singing audition that day, I’ll whip out one of the exercises that I learnt from my teachers to be able to warm up my voice effectively and gently. And I know that, with good technique, I’ll be able to get through the audition.
What words of advice would you offer to young musicians along their academic journey?
Work hard and love what you’re doing! Be kind, gracious, and respectful to everyone you meet, and always thank your teachers for sharing their knowledge with you.
And lastly, you are enough! Show up and strive to be the best version of who you are, rather than trying to be a copy of someone else.
We’re excited to collaborate with Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University to shed light on life after university for those studying music. Stay tuned for our next interview!
READ NEXT: Life after uni with Shubshri Kandiah, musical theatre
Images supplied.
