A Day in the Life of an EPTA UK Student Ambassador – Myles Manders-Young
Meet Myles Manders-Young, a first-year MMus Performance student at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. Piano is Myles’s primary instrument, and his days are a careful balance of practicing, attending classes, socialising, and teaching.
A Typical Day
Myles starts his day bright and early at 08:00, dedicating the morning to focused practice. His lectures begin at 10:00, followed by lunchtime at 12:00, which he uses to catch up with friends. After lunch, he continues practicing until 13:00 and then attends his final lectures or performance classes for the day. Evenings are reserved for assignments and further practice, while Sundays are devoted to teaching piano.
On average, Myles spends 3–5 hours daily on music-related activities, ensuring that practice, study, and teaching are all carefully integrated into his weekly routine.
Studies and Musical Work Beyond the Classroom
Outside of his studies, Myles is actively involved in teaching and performing. He provides private lessons and has performed in prestigious venues. One of his standout experiences was during his time abroad at the Princess Galyani Institute of Music in Thailand (2023–24), where he performed Chopin’s Ballade No. 1 and Elgar’s In Smyrna at Sala Sudasiri Sobha, one of Thailand’s finest classical music concert halls. This performance was a highlight, allowing him to connect with other musicians and perform in a truly inspiring space.
Championing Piano Education as an EPTA UK Student Ambassador
Myles has also embraced the role of EPTA UK Student Ambassador, spending 1–2 hours per week promoting events, supporting engagement, creating content, and representing student voices. Through this work, he has strengthened vital skills such as communication, leadership, event organisation, and networking.
He reflects, “As a student ambassador, I have valued the growth of my communication skills. Advertising EPTA’s initiatives, handing out leaflets, and speaking to audiences has helped me grow as a musician. Being able to present ideas clearly and effectively is crucial in both teaching and performance. Networking with other musicians has also been a valuable aspect of this role.”
Balancing Multiple Roles
Time management is key to balancing Myles’s commitments. “Keeping to a schedule is very important in organising your time effectively. A lot of idle time can be utilised in meaningful ways, as well as waking up bright and early,” he notes. He also suggests that support from EPTA, such as a pack detailing ambassador roles and opportunities, could be helpful in getting more involved.
Reflection
When asked to summarise his experiences, Myles describes his life as a music student as “hard but rewarding work!”, and his role as a student ambassador as “collaborative and meaningful”. His reflections capture the dedication and purpose he brings to both his studies and his ambassador work, showing how these experiences shape him into a well-rounded musician.
Through disciplined practice, performance, teaching, and ambassador work, Myles Manders-Young exemplifies the commitment and passion required to thrive as a modern classical musician.
(Written by Myles Manders-Young and Anna McWatters)
