University News Last updated 20 June
Final-year BMus clarinet student Jessica Hannah is this year’s Birmingham Royal Ballet and the Royal Ballet Sinfonia RBC Student-in-Residence.
Jessica has been selected on the 2025 scheme for the duration of one year; an experience which will provide her with an exciting opportunity to work alongside some of the UK’s top classical musicians from the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. As part of the experience, she will be joining them for rehearsals in London and Birmingham.
The Student-in-Residence scheme is open to musicians from RBC who are selected through an audition process. Jessica is passionate about ballet music, which prompted her to audition, where she played the third movement of Prokofiev’s flute sonata. Prokofiev is one of her favourite composers, as she enjoys the drama he creates within his style of writing.
The scheme will provide Jessica with the opportunity to play in rehearsals with the orchestra. The programme also encompasses lessons with mentors from the orchestra and the opportunity to attend dance rehearsals.
Jessica is interested in cross-collaboration in the arts and in the future, she plans to create performances with musicians and dancers alongside each other on stage in a chamber music setting. The scheme will enable her to explore this type of performance.
Jessica said: “I'm so grateful and excited to be the Student-in-Residence this coming year and look forward to the many amazing experiences that the scheme offers and the fantastic music coming up soon.”
Head of Woodwind Jenni Phillips added: “I’m delighted and proud of Jessica for being offered this position. Her talent and hard work combined make her a very worthy winner. The scheme was also won by a woodwind player last year, so I am extremely happy that we have been blessed with another opportunity like this. Thank you, BRB!”