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Here are some of our 2021-22 Music Centre Award holders and Scholars. Click on the links below, to find out more about the students and learn how they have benefited from their awards and scholarships.
Further information about the UEA Music Centre Awards can be found on our Music Centre Award page.
Further information about the UEA Music Scholarships can be found on our Music Scholarship page.
2021-22 Music Centre Award holders:
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Afonso Froes (CHE) - Bass Guitar
I'm Afonso and I’m in my 3rd year of a PhD in the School of Chemistry. I’ve been playing bass for 14 years. Though I haven’t had the free time to attend Music Society bands this year, I’d say I’m the most present in the Norwich music scene I’ve ever been. Towards the end of last year, me and my usual jam session house band and session gig partners decided to turn ourselves into a band, rather than being “those guys that play at that jam and do that jazz gig” and we now go by Norwich Improv Mafia. We managed to secure a monthly residency at Voodoo Daddy’s Showroom where we play improvised music for 3 hours. We also like inviting a guest every month to come do a set or 2 with us, having featured a mix of very talented UEA students and alumni, as well as some lovely local artists. We also host a free open jam session at Gonzo’s Two Room, where any musician of any skill level is more than welcome to sit in and meet some of Norwich’s wonderful musicians both on and off the stage.
I would describe my approach to bass playing as mostly passion-driven and very focused on triggering emotions – when I play, I don’t aim to impress anyone in the audience with any fast licks or crazy slap bass lines. Instead, I try to focus on using my instrument as a means to phrase the melodies and grooves I hear in my head, hoping that by the end of the show, the audience will feel like they know me a bit better, almost like I left a piece of me on stage. That said, I am a bass player, so usually at the end of the show it’s almost like I’m invisible, which I think means I did a good job! I think that being able to make music with a group of similarly minded friends makes me very lucky, and the fact that I have the Music Centre’s support makes it even better.
As a Music Centre Award holder, I hope to be able to act as a bridge between UEA and the local music scene, helping any fellow UEA musician with these more expressive and spontaneous sides of music performance, if they ever wish to explore them.
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Angelina Li (HSC) - French Horn
I’m Angelina and I study Physiotherapy. I have been playing the French Horn for 12 years and passed ATCL with distinction in 2019. At a young age, I exhibited a love for music and performance by participating in children’s choirs and dramas. I received music training as a student of the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts Junior Music Programme, studying French Horn with Ms Sally Ng. Apart from performing solo repertoire, I also love to participate in ensembles, bands and orchestras. Before starting university, I performed numerous concerts and participated in different festivals.
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Jessica Honey (LDC) - Alto saxophone
I’m Jess and I’m a second-year PhD student, researching medieval English and Italian literature. I play piano, flute, soprano, alto, and tenor saxophone and I’m a soprano singer. Being involved in music at UEA has been a joy, especially singing in UEA Chamber Choir and playing my saxophone in Music Society ensembles. I've been a Music Centre Award holder since my 1st year at UEA, and it has enabled me to develop my musicianship throughout university. This year I’ve used my award to pay for flute lessons, which has been fantastic.
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Natalie Jaromin (MED) - Percussion
My name is Natalie and I’m a medical student at UEA. I have completed a 14–year musical education in Poland, where I’ve been playing percussion, piano and cello. I’ve always been passionate about playing in ensembles and it has been an important part of my musical experience. I find it inspiring how live music can unify the performers and audience. I’ve played in a percussion duo, brass orchestra and symphony orchestra. In 2017, I took the opportunity to perform in The National Forum of Music in Poland. Recently, I became interested in beat making and am currently learning to create pieces in various genres. Whilst at UEA, I’ve enjoyed performing with UEA Symphony Orchestra and being involved in Music Society where I’ve been playing with the Concert Band. I’ve also played the percussion in the ‘Just So’ musical with UEA Drama and Musical Theatre Society. I’ve been elected as Percussion Lead in UEA Music Society for the next academic year and am hoping to build on my musical experience to bring new ideas and opportunities to the committee.
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Nicole Yoong (CMP) - Piano
Ever heard of 'Challenge Accepted'? That's my favorite catchphrase from Barney Stinson and it applied to every aspect of my life, including music. I am not too sure if you can imagine a tech nerd like me sitting in a tiny room overlooking the beautiful lake playing Beethoven's Adagio. I bet you are already picturing that in your mind. And yes, no doubt that's me! It has been 18 years since I started playing piano, how time flies! If I could only listen to only one composition for the rest of my life, it would certainly be Rachmaninoff's Piano Concerto No.2 op.18. How stunning and striking. I am proud to have received this award and I hope to help keep facilitating more amazing musical opportunities and share my music with more people.
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Niklas Henderson (CMP) - Cello
I’m Niklas and have been playing cello since the age of 7, passing my grade 8 with Distinction in 2015. In my 16 years as a cellist, I have been a Pro Corda Champion with the Bennett Diocesan Brandenburg Ensemble, was principal in the West Kent Youth Orchestra, and currently play with the Norwich Philharmonic Orchestra, the Norwich Pops Orchestra, and the UEA Symphony Orchestra. This year is my sixth year playing with the UEA Symphony Orchestra - four of which I have played as principal cellist. Since being at UEA I’ve had the opportunity to play not only in a high quality orchestra, but also play with smaller ensembles; from the early baroque works of Charpentier to 20th century works of Poulenc and Britten. UEA has opened a door for me in terms of musical opportunities, and I hope to make music here for many years to come.
2021 Music Scholars:
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Lily Christophilopoulos (HSC) - Flute
I’m Lily and I am studying Physiotherapy at UEA. Music has been a big part of my life from a very young age. I have been playing the piano for 9 years and the flute for 12 years (achieving grade 8 in flute). While at school, I enjoyed playing both in school ensembles and orchestras and in the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra. I had some amazing opportunities at school, playing in competitions and many concerts, including playing in the Royal Festival Hall with the Wandsworth Philharmonic Orchestra. I am currently in my first year at UEA and have loved being a part of the UEA Symphony Orchestra and Music Society. I am looking forward to co-leading the flute group next year and I am so grateful for all the musical opportunities at UEA.
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Casey Divall (MTH) - Voice (Tenor)
My name is Casey and I have been a fairly active member of the musical community here at UEA this year! I am a first year Mathematics student, going onto second year. This year, I have been involved in the Drama and Musical Theatre Society, where I have performed in their monthly showcase (PANTS), been Band Leader for Minotaur Theatre Company’s Cabaret 2022, and led Music Society's UEAcapella. I have been fortunate enough to be elected to lead Concert Band and co-lead Choir next year. I have also been able to partake in other musical ventures, including playing Donkey in a local production of Shrek the Musical, musically direct a production of Little Shop of Horrors, as well as workshopping an original musical, Spotlights, which I star in and have been arranging and musically directing. Meanwhile, I've had the greatest fortune of raising my one year old boy, Elijah, who has been an absolute delight and has been enjoying music just as much as me!