Two Bath Spa University students have been selected to undertake work experience placements at Glastonbury Festival as part of their degrees this week.
Kayla Painter has been chosen to perform live on The Glade stage known for its immersive visual and musical performances, it is right at the heart of the festival with a varied programme of live bands, world music and the best of electronica and dance, and Sally Wattiaux will help backstage primarily with the sound and lighting.
Kayla, 28, currently studying for a Masters in Creative Sound and Media Technology at Bath Spa University, will take to the stage on Sunday evening (26th June) to perform a mix of pre-recorded and improvised music drawing from techno, garage and post dub.
She will perform live alongside a visual artist using a dual-screen set up where images are projected in-front and behind her while she performs.
Sally Wattiaux, 19, in her second year studying BA Theatre Production, will provide technical support ensuring the performances on The Glade stage run like clockwork – she will work for nine days, before and during the festival, but hopes to squeeze in some time to see her favourite rock band ZZ Top.
Staff at Bath Spa University, which has a strong teaching focus on music and performing arts, have been collaborating with Glastonbury organisers for four years, and this is the first time the University’s students will be part of the Festival.
Both Kayla and Sally went through a rigorous selection process in the run up to being chosen which included a detailed application and submitting examples of work.
Jonathan Savage, Technical Demonstrator and Lecturer in Music at Bath Spa University, said: “Work experience placements at high-profile events such as Glastonbury are great for our students to equip them for the world of work after they graduate.
“We are proud to collaborate with Glastonbury on The Glade area. As a university creativity is at the heart of what we do and we work with a wide variety of creative and cultural events across the region to ensure our students get the best practical work experience during their degrees.
“We have very talented students here at Bath Spa University and Kayla and Sally are no exception. I know they will enjoy being part of this world-famous event and benefit from this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Eight per cent of the UK’s creative economy is located in the South West – the fourth highest percentage behind London, the South East and East of England, so it is important that universities in the region are producing a supply of high calibre graduates to fill these creative jobs.
The traditional pathways from university to work are changing, so work experience placements are essential for students to learn necessary skills and attributes to meet the needs of the workplace.
Kayla, who is working on her first album and will perform on The Glade stage at 1:30am on Sunday, said: “I cannot believe I’m performing at Glastonbury this week – I didn’t believe it was real when it was first announced and it has only just sunk in.
“I really enjoyed going to Glastonbury six years ago, but in the back of my mind I thought it would be even more enjoyable if I were to perform one day. The Glade is the ideal stage for my style of performance and I can’t wait to get up on stage and entertain the crowds.
“Studying in the stunning city of Bath has been inspirational and the course has been fantastic. My tutors have given me the freedom to grow and develop as an artist and I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity thanks to contacts made during my course.”
Sally, who will be camping for nine days in the crew and artist area, said: “Working at Glastonbury will be an incredible experience and I’m so excited to get going.
“I see myself in a career in touring or working in music festivals and last year I worked on the International Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland which broadened my technical skills in sound and lighting.
“It’s going to be tough working full-on days at Glastonbury and camping for over a week, but learning what goes on backstage at such a huge event and progressing my work experience in this industry is an opportunity not to be missed.”