The Mazurka That Changed My Life: Reflections of a Proud King’s Alum

My Mazurka Moment!

I remember my interview at King’s College London like yesterday. It followed nerve-wracking piano auditions at the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama. I had received a scholarship to study at Junior Guildhall as a teenager so continuing at a London Conservatoire was an option. Alas, my technical abilities could not match the aspiring concert pianists from around the world competing for the limited places.

I discovered King’s on a careers computer programme at school. I completed a questionnaire and the software matched universities to my answers. King’s College London was at the top of my list. As a bonus, King’s offered piano lessons at the Royal Academy of Music. Perhaps I could continue my piano studies at a London Conservatoire after all?

At the King’s audition I performed my piano pieces confidently and was presented with some sight-reading. The panel asked who I thought composed the piece. “Chopin”, I said. This was easy – he was my favourite composer. I believe, to this day, that my next answer got me into one of the most highly regarded universities in the world. “And what genre is it?”. In my nervous haste I suggested a waltz. This was the most obvious, but incorrect response. I quickly blurted out “It’s a Mazurka… because of the rhythm!”. The panel grinned and I breathed a sigh of relief.

Feeling Like I'd Won the Lottery

A few months later I’m attending my first music seminar, overlooking the River Thames at King’s in the Strand. The location is iconic, the classes intimate, and the professors are world-leading experts. One is the author of the Grove Dictionary of Music entry on Mozart; another has just published a book on Mahler and my renowned piano teacher at the Royal Academy of Music transforms my understanding of piano performance. Before writing a single essay, composing a single piece of music or playing a single note – I felt I had won the lottery. Nothing could take this away from me. I discovered a natural aptitude for musical analysis and two years later returned to King’s to complete a master’s degree in this discipline. With my degrees in hand, I stepped into the professional world ready to make a meaningful impact. King’s College London was in my corner, forever.

British Empire Medal

In the two decades that followed, I began my career, met the love of my life and started a family. My time at King’s became a cherished memory. As the years passed, my work with people with learning disabilities began to attract attention. What started as a local initiative grew into a national and then global movement, culminating in performances at the London Palladium and the Royal Albert Hall along with teaching trips to South Africa, India, Nepal and the Philippines. I was deeply honoured to receive the British Empire Medal in the Queen’s 2021 New Year’s Honours list for Services to People with Special Needs.

To my surprise and delight, King’s College reached out to offer their congratulations. That moment marked the beginning of a new chapter. I was no longer just a proud graduate of the past. I could become a notable alumnus shaping the future.

King’s Arts and Culture Distinguished Alumni Awards

7 months later and I’m talking to TV impressionist and King’s Alumnus, Rory Bremner, at the King’s Distinguished Alumni Awards. It was the middle of a COVID lockdown so sadly the ceremony was virtual, but I was truly honoured to receive the award for Arts and Culture. It meant so much that my work with the learning-disabled community had been recognised by the university which gave me the platform to succeed. King’s had helped me fulfil my potential and inspired me to help individuals with learning disabilities fulfil theirs.

Moment of Realisation

I realised the strength and potential of the King’s Alumni community around the world. Perhaps I could also make a positive difference as an active alum? It was my chance to give back, and this didn’t just mean financial support. I could engage with King’s in all sorts of different ways. I saw only benefits for giving a little bit of my time - for the university, for their students and for me. I’ve been actively engaging with King’s ever since. I began engaging with the excellent alumni team - and haven't looked back since!

Never Stop Questioning Video for King’s (2022)

My first Alumni contribution was to record a video called “Never Stop Questioning” in 2022. I talked about how music breaks down barriers for disabled people and the need to question the status quo to bring about change in the accessible Arts and Culture industry.

King’s Entrepreneurship Institute - From Teacher to Entrepreneur (2022)

Later that year I shared 6 lessons I’d learnt in my career for an article for the King’s Entrepreneurship Institute: Read the full article here: From Teacher to Entrepreneur.

Interview for Roar - King’s Official Student Newspaper (2023)

In 2023 I explained the inspiration behind The Music Man Project in an article for Roar Magazine. Read the full article here: Interview for Roar.

King’s Mentor (2023-)

I registered as a King’s Mentor and began supporting the next generation of King’s students. I was particularly proud to support Clara Chung and her ambition to start a charity which helps siblings of disabled children to learn music. Clara’s story was featured in an article for King’s Alumni Voices series: ​'All types of music are equal, and all deserve to be studied'. Read the full article here: Mentoring Clara Chung.

A Notable Alum (2023)

In 2023 I was honoured to be listed as a King’s Notable Alumni alongside Desmond Tutu, Florence Nightingale, Thomas Hardy and Virginia Woolf. My picture is also displayed on the Strand outside of the Strand campus. Inspiring the next generation of King’s changemakers fills me with great joy.

Outside King's Strand Campus

King’s Distinguished Alumni Awards Ceremony Host (2024)

Three years after receiving my King’s award, I hosted the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award Ceremony in the Strand. It was a beautiful occasion, full of inspiring people who had accomplished extraordinary feats to make the world a better place. It was truly humbling to share the stage with them all. I wasn’t a celebrity host like Rory Bremner, but I hope my deep respect and admiration for King’s shone through.

King's Distinguished Alumni Awards 2024

Graduation Ceremony (2025)

In July of this year, I delivered the Notable Alumni Address at the King’s Graduation Ceremony for Arts and Humanities held at the Royal Festival Hall. The occasion brought back memories of my own initial graduation 27 years earlier. Much has changed since that time; now, my wife and children were in the audience instead of my parents. Walking out to the sound of the trumpet and organ was both moving and awe-inspiring.

King's Graduation Ceremony Notable Alumni Address at the Royal Festival Hall

Alumni Call to Action!

In 2029, King’s College London celebrates its 200^th anniversary. King’s ‘Vision 2029’ identifies five interlinking priorities for King’s:

• Educate to inspire

• Research to innovate

• Serve to transform

• Be a civic university in London

• Act as an international community solving global challenges

  
  

These priorities align perfectly with my own approach to making the world a better place. In the next four years leading up to this momentous anniversary, I intend to contribute to King’s vision, building on my existing record of impact in four of the five priorities:

Educate to Inspire

For 25 years I have helped reform the accessible music education sector on behalf of people with learning disabilities across the UK and around the world. Through their training, they have inspired audiences at iconic venues alongside world-leading musicians such as the Band of His Majesty's Royal Marines and Music Man Project patron, Michael Ball.

Research to Innovate

For 10 years I have supported academic research at 12 universities and Music Conservertoires in the UK and overseas - including a PhD study at the Royal College of Music based on my teaching. For more information click here.

Serve to Transform

I served as the UK Government’s Disability and Access Ambassador for Arts and Culture from 2021 to 2025. This non-political, voluntary role enabled me to advise performance venues, galleries and libraries about access, education, equality and inclusion. It also provided a platform to showcase my work at The Music Man Project.  

Act as an International Community Solving Global Challenges

Earlier this year I founded The International Alliance of Accessible Music (IAAM) with Italian Disability Charity, ‘AllegroModerato’. IAAM helps reverse perceptions of disability through music education and performance, from the local to the global. The network includes members from the UK, America, Italy, the Netherlands and Japan. It follows teaching trips to Nepal, India, South Africa and the Philippines plus Music Man Project performances in America, Canada and Italy. A video about my work was presented at the United Nations in New York by the Minister for Disabled People in 2022.

Your Mazurka Moment!

So, as King’s approaches its 200th anniversary, I offer this challenge to my fellow alumni: don’t let your connection to this great institution fade into nostalgia. Let it ignite something new. Whether you’re a scientist, artist, entrepreneur, or activist - your story matters. Your voice can inspire and your time can transform. King’s gave us the tools. Let’s use them!

Mentor a student. Share your journey. Champion a cause. Spark a conversation. Be the alum who shows up, not just in memory, but in action. When we return to King’s, we don’t just honour our past. We shape the future, FOREVER!

I'm relieved I shouted "Mazurka" in my audition all those years ago!