BIMM Music Institute Dublin Announces 2021/22 Scholarship Winners
Here at BIMM Music Institute Dublin, we’re delighted to announce the winners of our fantastic diploma scholarships for 2021/22. This year has seen us collaborate with incredible organisations and figures throughout the music industry to continue supporting new Irish acts.
Our winners include:
- Caitlin Cleary for the RTÉ 2FM Music and Audio Production Foundation Diploma Scholarship
- Rossa Healy for the IMRO Foundation Diploma in Music Business Scholarship
- Stephanie Sarpong for The Dermot Kennedy Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship Scholarship
BIMM Music Institute Dublin’s Scholarship Winners 2021/22
We caught up with Caitlin, Rossa and Stephanie to find out what winning the scholarship means to them and their relationship with music. Dermot Kennedy himself also stopped by to tell us about awarding the scholarship.
Caitlin Cleary, Winner of the RTÉ 2FM Music and Audio Production Foundation Diploma Scholarship
“I can’t wait to expand my knowledge in the music production field.”
Caitlin is currently studying our Foundation Diploma in Music and Audio Production after winning the RTÉ 2FM Music and Audio Production Foundation Diploma Scholarship. She
hopes to pursue a career in producing music. On winning the scholarship, Caitlin says:
“I was so surprised when I got the call saying that I had won the scholarship. I am unbelievably grateful for this opportunity.” Caitlin continues: “I feel that this scholarship will give me the freedom to explore a subject that I am so incredibly passionate about at such a reputable institute. I can’t wait to expand my knowledge in the music production field, and I intend to use this scholarship to its full potential.”
Rossa Healy, Winner of the IMRO Foundation Diploma in Music Business Scholarship
“This course will also provide the knowledge and skills required to make this development as focused and productive as possible.”
Rossa is a gigging musician, producer and audio engineer. As an Assistant Engineer, Rossa has worked with Shane MacGowan, Imelda May and Bronagh Gallagher. Rossa is the co-owner of a recently opened recording studio in Dublin City centre: “This scholarship has given me the opportunity to further develop my own business and speed up the project’s progression in a way I could never have imagined.”
Rossa continues: “This course will also provide the knowledge and skills required to make this development as focused and productive as possible. Thank you to IMRO and BIMM Music Institute for this fantastic opportunity.”
Stephanie Sarpong, Winner of the Dermot Kennedy Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship Scholarship
Stephanie has been making music for four years with a few of her close friends while also being a Healthcare Assistant. For Stephanie, music has always been a big part of her life:
“I started singing from a very young age in church and around family and friends. I grew up singing with my mum and my sister and always knew that it was in my future to be entangled with music in some way, and for the most part, it actually always ended up like that.
“Throughout primary and secondary school, I was always a person heavily associated with music, and I would find myself around people who had that same love for it. I would do talent shows, gigs, and when I met my producer, the making of music became much easier to accomplish.”
However, Stephanie explains that it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. “My relationship with music had always been rocky,” she says. “I mean, why wouldn’t it be? I was still learning a lot of things, but it never really kept me away from music.
“I’m really hoping my year here at BIMM Music Institute helps strengthen my relationship with music again.”
“Until a couple of months ago, it genuinely became difficult to create and execute some of my ideas the way I wanted. So, I focused on other things while keeping music in the background of my life. Music is almost like oxygen for me, so I don’t really ever see myself parting from it. I’m really hoping my year here at BIMM Music Institute helps strengthen my relationship with music again.”
On hearing the news about winning the scholarship, Stephanie told us: “I am still ecstatic even after allowing the news to marinate. I feel so blessed and just want to say a huge thank you to Dermot Kennedy and the rest of the BIMM Music Institute team.”
Dermot Kennedy
“I’m so excited to see where music takes her in the next few years.”
We spoke to the singer-songwriter to find out why he chose Stephanie as the scholarship winner. “It makes me so happy to give the first-ever Dermot Kennedy Foundation Diploma in Professional Musicianship Scholarship to Stephanie Sarpong. I was so drawn to Stephanie’s voice as soon as I heard it.” Dermot continues: “She’s so talented and has incredible potential, so I think she’s more than deserving of this opportunity to further her career as an artist and a performer, and I’m so excited to see where music takes her in the next few years.”
We wish all the scholarship winners the best of luck and can’t wait to see what they do with their life in music. Want to come and join us at BIMM Music Institute Dublin? Enquire now and start your life in music, or contact our friendly team at [email protected].
