Click the link to view the full version: WASCZ | Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama Deepens Partnership with WASCZ
WASCZ was proud to welcome Andrea Jones, Head of Undergraduate Studies at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama (RWCMD), for a day of transformative engagement with our performing arts community. The visit marked another important milestone in the growing partnership between the two institutions, bringing world-class expertise directly to our students and reaffirming a shared commitment to excellence in music education.
Andrea’s visit, which included a series of individual master classes and auditions, offered a rare opportunity for students from both the Changzhou and Hangzhou campuses to receive personalised coaching from one of the UK’s leading conservatoire educators. Her deep insight, warmth, and professional rigour left a lasting impression on our young musicians, many of whom are preparing for conservatoire study in the UK and beyond. Each session was tailored to the student’s current level and aspirations, with a focus on technique, interpretation, and communication—all delivered with the kind of depth that only decades of professional and pedagogical experience can provide.
This visit is part of a wider collaboration between WASCZ and RWCMD, which includes performance opportunities, teacher development initiatives, and direct links for our aspiring students into the UK conservatoire system. Through this strategic relationship, students benefit from early exposure to conservatoire-level expectations and standards, while staff gain access to continuing professional development and networking with leading international educators.
Richard Ward-Roden, Director of Performing Arts at WASCZ, commented: “This partnership goes far beyond a guest visit; it is a living, evolving connection between two institutions that share a belief in the transformative power of the arts. Our students are incredibly fortunate to learn from Andrea and to understand first-hand the calibre of musical training that awaits them. We are deeply grateful to RWCMD for their ongoing support and commitment to nurturing young talent across borders.”
“It’s been delightful to have the opportunity to visit the committee international two occasions and work with the students, it’s been excellent to engage with the students individually and also in small ensembles to just see the quality of their work and how they’re applying themselves to their studies.” Shared Ms Andrea Jones. “What I see is diligence, but also creativity, application, and emerging independence in your students who are taking responsibility for their studies as well as receiving guidance from the teaching team. I think there’s an excellent work ethic at the school and the students are securing very good foundations for future success.”
We are delighted that this collaboration will continue to flourish, and we now look forward to a further visit from RWCMD professors in March 2026. On that occasion, we will be honoured to welcome Dr Simon Jones, Head of Strings at RWCMD, who will lead a new series of masterclasses and workshops with our students and staff.
These ongoing opportunities are testament to the strength of our partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and our shared vision of nurturing excellence, creativity, and global-minded musicianship in the next generation.
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