Graduate follows in her father’s footsteps The Dixons from Tylers Green are celebrating becoming a two-generation graduation family at Bucks. Elaine Dixon, 21, from Tylers Green, received a BA (Hons) in Journalism & English Literature at the University’s graduation ceremony on 10 September, following in her father Ron’s footsteps. Ron Dixon graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Furniture Production Management in 2001.
“I am really pleased to be one of the first graduates of Bucks New University” Elaine not only studied in High Wycombe, but also spent the middle year of her three-year course in an exchange with the University of Central Missouri (UCM) in the mid-west of the United States. She says: “I am really pleased to be one of the first graduates of Bucks New University. I loved being in America for the year, as I was not only able to experience living and studying in another culture, but was also able to travel around the States to do some sightseeing. I did some PR work for UCM and had some of my writing published in the University newspaper, The Muleskinner.” Ron, who started his course due to redundancy after a 25-year career in the airline industry at Heathrow, says that he would recommend doing the same to anyone who faces an uncertain future. “I wrote forty job applications at the time” he says. “All were unsuccessful, mainly due, I suspect, to my age. Some firms didn’t even bother to reply. “But, after graduation and the paid Graduate Teacher Programme, I soon found employment as a teacher. I have since taught design and technology full-time at Dr Challoner’s Grammar School in Amersham, and am now at the Royal Grammar School on a part-time basis.”
Elaine and Ron Dixon
Bucks student plans a career in the music and entertainments industry Pardeep Dhonsi
Pardeep Dhonsi is planning a career in the music and entertainments industry having graduated from Bucks New University this September. Pardeep, a former pupil of Ise Community College, Kettering, graduated with a BA in Music Industry Management. Pardeep says: “During my first year at university I began producing music as a pastime with no real intentions. But, through my course I found great ways to get in touch and actively keep in touch with key industry figures, including: music producer Ronnie King, producer of Mariah Carey, Craig David, Snoop Dogg, and The Offspring; Styalz Fuego, who has produced for rapper Chamillionnaire; and composer David Tobin, a well-known, and highlyexperienced composer.
“I can play many instruments, and those that I can’t, I can emulate; as I’ve learnt how to produce music” “I can play many instruments, and those that I can’t, I can emulate; as I’ve learnt how to produce music, I can go into a studio and do everything myself, on a DIY basis. My production style is quite alternative; for example, I don’t necessarily always use real drums, but will make sounds myself. For a snare drum, I will use biscuit tins with steel rattles taped inside. Then I have my own unique snare, and no one anywhere can recreate that exact sound.” Pardeep has worked since he was 17, and throughout his studies, at Wicksteed Park, a family theme park. During his second year, he gained promotion to supervisor and within a week was made deputy manager, responsible for up to 50 staff. He is one of the youngest managers in the company, and in the company’s history.
television, and training in voice, acting and dance. Lee, 21, paved his way to New York by studying for two years at Bucks New University for an HND in Musical Theatre, delivered through partner college Amersham & Wycombe. Lee is unusual in coming from a family in the north west with no background in the theatre. His father is an engineer and his mother is tone deaf. Lee says: “I hadn’t done any acting or dancing until I was 15 when I took part in a school production of Grease. Up to then, I’d wanted to be a graphic designer.” At Bucks, he broadened his experience considerably taking lead roles in a wide range of productions, from Oklahoma, a classic by Rodgers and Hammerstein to I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change!, a highly comic contemporary piece about relationships. Lee said: “Being offered this amazing opportunity to study in New York City is a dream come true and I’ll make sure I make the best of it.”
Graduates set up video production company Three graduates in Video Production have got their minds firmly set on what they want to do in life after graduation, having founded production company, 3am films. Robert Smith, Tom Chamberlain and Alex Godfrey met in their experimental and music video classes in their second year, and started working on producing music videos together.
Nursing student gets married on graduation day Bucks New University student Emelia Bekoe had a triple celebration on 10 September, as she got married, graduated and celebrated her daughter being six months old, all on the same day. Emelia, 32, married Eric Odame in South East London, before travelling to High Wycombe for her graduation ceremony. Emelia graduated with a Diploma of Higher Education in Nursing, and was also awarded the Hannah Evans prize for the best student in clinical practice. Emelia and Eric’s fathers had both flown from Ghana to be with them on their special day. Emelia said: “It was a great day. I had an award at the graduation ceremony, and my baby daughter was six months old too. It was great to have my father and father-in-law come to the wedding and graduation. It was an honourable day for me.” Emelia is now studying for a degree.
After talking to an actor who was cast in their first video, it was mentioned that a band called Tin Soldiers were looking for someone in the industry to make a music video for them. Tin Soldiers hired a professional music video director, Peter Lippmann, who is best known for directing Michael Jackson’s video of Billie Jean, and he flew over from America to help the students. “The agreement was that we would make a music video for them – one that we would be able to use as our project – and also help out in organising a video for Peter to shoot, both over the course of a weekend. We had a lot of work to do and many of our friends on the course got involved and helped us,” said Robert. “Being involved with every facet of the production and ultimately, making sure we made a video that would please the band and ourselves was very exciting.”
Graduate sets his sights on Broadway
“In the long run we would love to be very successful in the film industry”
The bright lights of Broadway beckon for Barrow-in-Furness student, Lee Mason. Lee flew to New York in October to begin a two-year course at the prestigious American Musical and Dramatic Academy.
The band used the video on their websites and on their promotional DVD, along with footage of the band performing to the audience who went along for the shoots, and an interview with the band.
Young would-be actors and singers from around the world audition for places at AMDA. Selection is extremely competitive and places are only offered to students who have the potential to succeed through its intense conservatory program. The course covers acting for stage, film and
The three graduates plan to continue to work together making short films, music videos and getting in contact with promotional and advertising companies. “In the long run we would love to be very successful in the film industry and will strive to achieve this joint goal,” said Robert.
Eric and Emelia Odame Robert Smith and Alex Godfrey