Student Pages Podcast

In the latest episode of the Student Pages Spotlight Series, host Jayden welcomes guests Stephanie Hutchinson and Becky Lees in an in-person setting at the newly established LSO St Luke's. Stephanie discusses the significance of the new facilities for LSO Discovery, an initiative founded nearly 40 years ago by LSO musicians themselves. This program emerged from a desire to connect more profoundly with the community, as musicians felt a gap between their performances and local audiences. LSO Discovery aims to foster meaningful relationships between music and the community, reaching over 60,000 people annually through various events, including school programs and community outreach, and serving diverse demographics from toddlers to the elderly.

The new facilities at LSO St Luke's, including a digital suite, are seen as a transformative resource that allows concurrent activities, enhancing their reach and expanding opportunities for participants. The initiative embodies a commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, empowering individuals who may not have previously engaged with such artistic spaces. Overall, the conversation highlights the importance of community-driven initiatives in enriching public engagement with music and the arts.

In the latest installment of the Student Pages Spotlight series, host Izzy welcomes the band Midnight Till Morning, celebrating their recent milestones, including their first sold-out UK and European tour. The band's members express their excitement about performing at prestigious venues like BST Hyde Park, emphasizing how surreal it feels to have audiences so far from their homes in Australia and the United States. Their recent singles, "Navy Eyes" and "Welcome to LA," showcase their evolving musical style, blending moody textures with polished melodies, and explore themes of ambition and the complexities of fame.

The band discusses their creative process, highlighting that their diverse backgrounds as individual writers enhance their collaborative efforts. Their songwriting is heavily influenced by their shared experiences during extensive touring, reflecting personal relationships, friendships, and community ties. Importantly, the band notes that their growth as artists over the past nine months has led to an enriching creative journey, while acknowledging the various life experiences that inspire their music.

Additionally, they touch upon their individual journeys into the music scene, underscoring a lifelong passion for music, transformed into a shared artistic pursuit. Midnight Till Morning’s narrative encapsulates both their musical evolution and the meaningful connections they've formed along the way.

Host Izzy interviews actress Chloe Fox about her lead role as Celeste in Paramount’s thriller The Highest Stakes, her audition experience, and how she connected to the character. Chloe discusses her love of psychological thrillers and comedy, her training at Emile Dale Academy, and her early break through commercials and Find Me in Paris.

Fox shares her initial experience with the script, having received only one or two scenes without context. This lack of background led her to interpret Celeste's character in a more sinister light at first, realizing later that the character took on a different essence as she became more familiar with the storyline. 

When asked what initially drew her to the project, Fox highlights her affinity for psychological thrillers, noting the initial confusion and intrigue of the scene she auditioned with. This element of uncertainty in storytelling was appealing to her. Additionally, her personal interactions during the auditions—with the producer Stephen Paul and fellow cast member Eloise—left her with a favorable impression of the project's collaborative environment. After securing the role, Fox finally had the chance to read the complete script, enhancing her connection to the storyline and her character.

Host Izzy interviews Anthony B. Jenkins about his role as Devante in the final season of The Chi, his work in the Hulu film Their Fight, and other notable credits.

Anthony discusses his acting journey from age four, his training, approach to character work ('life not lines'), and his love for underdog roles and character development.

He shares practical audition advice—keep going and stay on your path—talks about his NAACP Image Award nomination, and describes his dream to work in fast-paced action roles.

For our latest spotlight series episode, host Jayden speaks with artist Tanis about her upcoming single, "The Bad One," set to release on June 12.

Tanis reflects on the creative journey of the single, revealing that she wrote and composed it two years ago but had left it in her backlog of unfinished demos. After revisiting the song late last year, she felt it needed a producer's touch and collaborated with Danny Monk, who helped enhance the pulsing bass line. This collaboration marked a significant growth for Tanis as she usually works alone, and she expresses excitement about this new musical direction, claiming it feels like an essential step forward in her artistic evolution.

The conversation also touches upon Tanis' recognition in the industry, highlighted by her recent Broadcast Production Award for her composition "Wildcard." She describes the unexpected joy of receiving this award and shares the backdrop of her experience in Los Angeles, where she worked with a woman-run music composition company on projects for music licensing. The piece "Wildcard" was commissioned for one of their albums, leading to her award win, which she proudly displays in her studio.

This episode showcases Tanis's artistic journey, her collaborative efforts in music production, and her professional achievements.

Welcome back to the Spotlight series' Student Page. Host Izzy interviews Theo Paphitis, a renowned entrepreneur known for his appearances on Dragon's Den and his retail group that includes brands like Ryman and Boux Avenue. The conversation delves into Theo's entrepreneurial journey, notably influenced by his experience with dyslexia.

He explains that dyslexic individuals often become entrepreneurs because traditional employment opportunities are limited for them, forcing them to create their own paths. Theo highlights that dyslexia comes in various forms, but those affected possess unique problem-solving skills and creativity that align well with entrepreneurship.

He shares a personal anecdote about his own academic experiences, describing how his school's approach led him to pursue business out of necessity rather than choice.

The discussion shifts to financial literacy and economics, where Theo asserts that understanding finance is primarily about common sense, a trait often enriched in dyslexics due to the need to navigate challenges differently. He explains how he founded a supportive small-business network (SBS), the value of micro-networks for lonely founders.

He urges that finance is manageable with the right guidance and resources, suggesting that the wealth of information available today—especially through platforms like YouTube and various AI models—facilitates learning.

The key to mastering financial concepts, according to Theo, is maintaining an inquisitive mindset and actively seeking knowledge about financial management, such as understanding accounts and cash flow. In conclusion, he emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the abundance of accessible information in today’s technological landscape.

In the latest episode of the Student Pages Spotlight Series, host Izzy interviews Anna Vocino , who voices the character Mrs. Potato Head in the upcoming Toy Story 5, set to release in UK cinemas this June. Vocino expresses her excitement about joining the iconic Toy Story franchise, noting the pressure of filling the shoes of the late Estelle Harris, who originally brought the character to life in the first four films. She aims to honor Harris's legacy with her performance amidst the inherent challenges that accompany such a beloved role.

The discussion shifts to the personal connection Vocino feels with Mrs. Potato Head, reflecting on her upbringing around nurturing and bossy women, particularly church ladies, which she believes parallels her character. She emphasizes the importance of embodying the essence of Mrs. Potato Head while also respecting the unique spirit and cadence Harris established in her portrayal. 

Vocino highlights the quality of Pixar's writing as a significant factor that aids her performance, contributing to the overall depth of the character. The conversation then touches on the contemporary themes of the film, particularly the struggle of being constantly connected to devices, a reality that resonates with many today. Vocino shares her admiration for the younger generation's attempts to disconnect and engage with each other in person, allowing for meaningful interactions without distractions. This nuanced approach to storytelling is indicative of the franchise's evolution and relevance in today’s digital age.

Host Izzy speaks with singer-songwriter Will Brown about his new single "Scars and Glory" and EP Welcome to Brandsville, his move from gospel to pop-soul, and the confidence that fuels his creative process. He explains how he landed support slots with Jules Holland, how he deals with online negativity, and the people who shaped his path.

Will reflects on how these projects have bolstered his confidence and creative process, emphasizing the importance of self-trust in his artistic journey.

Izzy also brings up Will's upcoming role as a support act for the legendary Jools Holland on part of his UK tour. Will expresses his excitement and disbelief at this opportunity, describing it as an incredible honor to perform alongside such an iconic figure in music. This collaboration arose after Will's appearance on "Toronto Time Frans," leading to him being selected based on his performances.

Will provides a background on his musical journey, revealing that he began singing at a young age and spent a decade in gospel music while in Kansas. His experience includes traveling, recording, and leading worship at his church. After taking a two-year hiatus to focus on a legal career in corporate America, Will felt an undeniable urge to return to music, which drove him to start writing and exploring his creativity once more. This rekindling of passion highlights his dedication to artistic expression and the transformative power of music in his life.

Welcome back to the student pages spotlight series. Host Izzy interviews voice actress Mary Gibbs, known for her role as Boo in Disney's Monsters Inc. Gibbs shares her excitement about being part of such an influential franchise, especially having been cast at just two and a half years old.

She talks about working with legendary actors, returning to voice work, her experience on audio series Heroes of Extinction, and practical advice for aspiring performers.

She reflects on the impact of the film on audiences and connects with Boo's character through her curiosity. Gibbs appreciates the movie's message about laughter overcoming fear and discusses working with esteemed actors like Billy Crystal and John Goodman, noting that voice recording requires individual booth work rather than direct interaction.

For our latest Spotlight Sessions interview, Jayden from Student Pages converses with Alex DeLeon,, the frontman of The Cab, about their experiences and new music. Alex humorously reveals that while he is known as the singer, he is the "passenger of the cab," often not driving during their extensive tours to preserve his voice. The discussion turns to their new single, "Sweet Kerosene," and the upcoming album "Chasing Crowns." Alex expresses excitement about the album, noting that it comprises songs written over a span of 12 years, making the album a rich tapestry of their experiences and growth as a band.

He describes the creative process as variable, with periods of intense writing followed by long breaks. The album reflects a collection of significant moments in their lives, which contributes to its diverse lyrical content and musical genres. Alex appreciates the journey of producing the album, acknowledging the uncertainty they faced regarding their future as a band. Their initial struggles and disagreements nearly led to the dissolution of the band, but they ultimately overcame these challenges. As they approach the album's release, Alex feels a sense of surreal accomplishment, highlighting the enduring nature of music creation despite the passage of time and evolving circumstances. The interview encapsulates the blend of artistic reflection and personal development over their decade-long journey in the music industry.