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LCCM student Beatrice Samuels recently had the opportunity to spend time at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios as part of Equalise, an initiative designed to support and champion women in music.
Currently studying Music Production and Sound Engineering at LCCM, Beatrice joined artists, producers and engineers for a behind-the-scenes experience that offered valuable insight into the creative and technical side of the industry.
We caught up with Beatrice to hear more about the opportunity and what she learned from her time at Abbey Road.
Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey to LCCM.
My name is Beatrice, and I’m currently in my first year studying Music Production and Sound Engineering at LCCM.
Before studying music, I worked in data analytics and telephonic communications, but I’ve always had a passion for creating music and singing. Eventually, I decided to pursue a formal qualification in music production.
I chose LCCM because I really connected with my programme leader, Oliver Betts, and was excited by the opportunities and industry connections that were highlighted during the open day and audition process.
How did the opportunity to spend a day at Abbey Road Studios come about, and what was your reaction when you found out you’d be going?
I first heard about the opportunity through one of LCCM’s Fast Track Careers emails. As soon as I saw it, I signed up and completed the application, explaining why I felt it was an opportunity I really wanted to be part of.
I knew it would be a popular opportunity, so I tried not to get my hopes up too much. When I found out the following month that I had been selected, I was absolutely delighted.
I was very honest in my application and explained that I’m still quite new to music production. I submitted a portfolio of work but admitted that I didn’t think it was where I wanted it to be yet. However, I knew the experience would be hugely beneficial to my development as a producer, so being selected felt incredibly encouraging.
What was your experience at Abbey Road like?
The atmosphere was very welcoming and relaxed, which made it easy to introduce myself and connect with other people attending the event.
One of the highlights for me was watching Assistant Engineer Marta Maria Di Nozzi work with the band Newdad. It was fascinating to see how she anticipated the artists’ ideas and helped bring their creative vision to life. As a woman entering the industry myself, it was inspiring to see another woman thriving in such an important technical role.
I enjoyed the experience so much that during the lunch break I emailed Abbey Road’s Creative Marketing Manager, James Hayes, to ask whether I could attend the following day’s session if any spaces became available. Amazingly, I was offered another pass, which meant I was able to experience even more of the programme.
What did you learn from seeing a world-renowned studio in action?
One of the biggest lessons I learned was the importance of allowing a session to flow naturally and creating space for creativity. Coming from a data background, I can sometimes become very focused on details and perfection. Watching experienced artists and engineers work showed me that creativity often develops through experimentation and collaboration rather than trying to control every detail.
I also had the opportunity to speak with artist Jasmine.4.t and ask about the process of turning ideas and voice notes into fully realised songs. Those conversations reinforced the importance of trusting your instincts and following creative ideas, even when you’re still building your experience and confidence.
How has the experience influenced your future ambitions?
The experience encouraged me to see my previous experiences differently. Rather than viewing my background outside music as a disadvantage, I’ve started to see it as part of what makes me unique as an artist and producer.
It reminded me that every experience contributes to your creative perspective. Those experiences help shape the ideas I want to bring into the world and how I want my music to sound.
Why would you recommend LCCM?
I would recommend LCCM because of the opportunities and industry connections available to students.
Getting access to certain spaces and experiences within the music industry can be difficult, especially when you’re just starting out. The opportunities shared through LCCM, including the careers emails, have opened doors to experiences I might never have known about otherwise.
One thing I’ve learned is that being a student is enough reason to apply for opportunities, even if you don’t meet every requirement. You can always continue learning and developing along the way.
Experiences like the one I had at Abbey Road show me what’s possible, and I’m incredibly grateful to LCCM for helping connect students with opportunities that can genuinely shape their future careers.
Beatrice accessed this opportunity through Fast Track Careers, our internal email call-out where industry updates and opportunities land first. If you’re looking for more chances to get involved it’s worth keeping an eye on those emails. You can also follow LCCM’s socials for regular updates and new opportunities as they come in.
