One of our Performing Arts (Film, TV & Stage) graduates is currently making her
name within the presenting and music production industry.
Lesley-Ann Okantey graduated in 2015 from our course and
has recently started working as the programing managing assistant for the BBC2
music television. Congratulations!
When Lesley started studying at the Performing Arts course at Bucks New
University, she wanted to become a stage or film/TV performer; however, like many
of our students, the wide range of subjects she’d experienced as part of the
course ignited her passion for something else. It was particularly the TV and
radio presenting elements of her second year Skills module that inspired Lesley
to try and carve out a career in broadcasting and presenting.
In order to further her skills, she completed the training
program Music Potential by Capital XTRA. Funded by Barclaycard and the Big
Lottery Fund, this training programme offers young people between the ages of
18-15 the chance to work with some of the best music industry professionals.
(if you want to hear more about it, check it out here:
http://www.capitalxtra.com/music-potential/
It was this training programme that gave Lesley the chance
to have a look behind the scenes of national music events, radio music
production, saw her host a show in London’s RichMix venue and interacted with
many artists and DJ’s in Birmingham and London.
Lesley describes her time at Bucks New University as ‘the
best time’ of her life’; she particularly remembers the energy of her lecturers
and her friends and the opportunity to try out so many different things and
have your eyes opened to other career paths within the industry. She felt that
particularly some of the trips and workshops forced her out of her comfort zone
and gave her the confidence and motivation to actively pursue her dream career.
Lesley’s story is just one example of the diverse careers
our graduates embark on!
Well done Lesley - We are very proud of you!
If you want to see the kind of event Lesley is organising,
check out her open invitation for the next BBC event she is working on. You can reserve free tickets by emailing:
First performances of the final year
