University News Last updated 14 September 2011
A budding events promoter has won an award named after UB40 saxophonist Brian Travers.
Kate Dean (28) has been awarded the Brain Travers Award for Academic Achievement 2011, after gaining a first class BA (Hons) Media and Communication (Music Industries) at Birmingham City University – despite having dyslexia. The award is given to the person who has gained the highest degree mark for a student on the music industries degree course.
Kate, who lives in Moseley, had previously studied for A Levels and attended art school but it wasn’t till she started at Birmingham City University that she was diagnosed with the condition that can impair a person's writing and spelling accuracy. Kate said: “Once the University diagnosed that I had dyslexia I felt much more confident because I realised that the mistakes I was making were down to the condition, and not from lacking ability. I hope my achievement illustrates that dyslexia doesn't need to hold people back.
“I was told I had won the award just after I found out I had achieved a first – and the icing on the cake was that my friend who was on the same course, Helen Crothall, found out she had won the University’s Ozzy Osbourne Award for Academic Development 2011. I play the saxophone, so winning an award named after the saxophonist from UB40 is a real honour.
MA in Music Industries
“Going to university is the best thing I’ve ever done - except for getting married - and even my husband, Alex, has started studying for a photography degree at Birmingham City University after seeing how much I enjoyed my course.
Kate, who is originally from Cheltenham but now lives in Moseley, is now building up a career in events management, as well as embarking on a MA in Music Industries. She has recently worked at the Shambala Festival in Northamptonshire and is in the process of establishing ‘Intermix’ a music networking event aimed at young people and students. A previous event held at the Actress and Bishop pub in St Paul’s Square in May involved live music, guest speakers and networking opportunities.
Kat’s tutor, Matt Grimes, said: “Kate has overcome some challenging personal issues to excel in the Music Industries degree. I am really proud that she has gained this award as she has consistently worked very hard over the past three years.
“Kate has been a pleasure to teach and was always contributing to class discussions and offering up insightful ideas and comments. I very much look forward to continue working with her on the MA in Music Industries.”
The University chose to name the award after saxophonist Brian because of his close links with the University’s School of Media, and its research centre, The Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research. Brian has worked with the School of Media on projects such as the Birmingham Music Archive (www.birminghammusicarchive.co.uk). Brian has also worked with students in a mentoring capacity and will be contributing his skills and knowledge to the postgraduate MA in Music Industries
Brian Travers said: “I’ve been working with Birmingham City University’s School of Media for over a year now and it’s an honour to have an award named after myself. The School of Media produces some talented graduates and it’s a pleasure to be able to offer them support and encouragement as they embark on their careers within the music industry.”
Anyone who wants to attend the next “Intermix” event can contact Kate on kate@intermixmusicnetwork.com