Hayden Nickel

Meet Hayden Nickel, Bachelor of Music student studying Classical Performance (violin)

I began my Bachelor of Music after taking a gap year traveling. Taking a year for myself reaffirmed what my passions were and made my goals clear as well. The University was very helpful and flexible in helping me plan for my studies, and I have since started a conjoint degree (a Bachelor of Arts in Education and Psychology) to cater for my academic interests alongside my passion for music.

When considering universities, I chose Victoria University of Wellington primarily for the dedicated staff. The music professors are very active in the Wellington community and, as a local, I knew many of them long before I had even thought about tertiary study. My violin teacher especially is highly involved in and dedicated to the development of young musicians in New Zealand. Since beginning my violin studies under her tutelage, my teacher has become more like a life coach—a huge source of support and mentoring for me during my studies.

Wellington is really a remarkable place to live in while studying. The city is riddled with art of all sorts; there is absolutely no shortage of inspiration or performance opportunity. I often find myself in awe at just how much is going on in such a small space. The connections the University has with nearby communities, such as film companies or festivals and events, means students are challenged with new experiences all the time, which really helps build the complete musician.