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Shining bright: Nick Gumley In December 2020, before VCE results had even been released, Nick had already received University offers from Queensland Conservatorium at Griffith University and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). Throughout his VCE studies, Nick focused on gaining skills that would give him strong foundations for the future. “Aiming to go into an Arts degree, I feel like I focused on a different goal for VCE. My focus wasn’t the ATAR I came out with, but the practical skills that I actually gained from those classes.” While Nick acknowledges that online classes during 2020 were sometimes difficult, he also recognised the new opportunities the year provided for him, including playing a new instrument and learning to create music videos, both of which helped him in auditioning for university. Nick believes his broad range of abilities in creating melodies, playing the piano, guitar and drums, singing, song writing, musical theatre and acting all helped him get accepted into his dream courses.
“When applying for music courses at universities, they like to see well-rounded people with lots of different skills. I don’t think I’m the best at any one thing that I do. I know I wasn’t the best drummer or the best songwriter, but it was my ability to do all those things to a competent ability that they liked to see.” For St Michael’s students set on pursuing the Performing Arts after school, Nick says it is important to create your own opportunities. “Start looking at creating opportunities for yourself to shine. Get involved in new initiatives. For me, this was picking up a new instrument and writing and recording songs in my bedroom. These activities may not add anything to your VCE mark, but they do add a lot to you as a person and how you come across in interviews and auditions.”
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Nick performing in the Dance Project 2019, Rozvaha! Nick (front left) on a St Michael's trip to the Adelaide Festival in March 2020 Nick Gumley The Crest Issue 5 2021
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