Competition Winner Tells All About First Month at BIMM Institute
We caught up with Luana Fernandes to find out about her first month with us at BIMM Institute Bristol and how she felt winning a guitar at our Freshers’ Festival event.
Our Crystal Maze-style cash grabber at our Freshers’ Festival was lucrative for some of our new students. However, nobody quite cashed out like Luana Fernandes, the winner of a beautiful Vintage V132 supplied by Vintage® guitars.
Vintage® guitars are designed in the UK and built using only the best quality hardware, pickups and tonewoods. The Vintage design team’s relentless quest for innovation, authentic tone, outstanding playability and great looking instruments delivers true working musicians’ tools. Vintage instruments are the first choice for everyone, from the first time player to the seasoned pro.
Catching up with Luana Fernandes
What made you decide to study with us at BIMM Institute Bristol?
I’ve always known there’s something different about me. Music is my life, and when I was researching places to study, I saw BIMM Institute Bristol, and I immediately thought:, “That’s where I have to go”. From a few Google searches, I could tell that Bristol was the place for me: non-judgmental, open-minded, and a fantastic music scene that would make me grow as an artist.
What are you studying, and what fuelled your passion in this area?
I am studying Popular Music Performance in Vocals and Music Production. I always wanted to be a singer, but I didn’t have the courage to step up; that’s why I initially turned to production. It started as a way for me to make music and not deal with the pressure of being on stage.
I soon realised as a producer, you’re a writer, a musician, and a sound engineer as well. Being a producer is one of the most complete forms of being a musician, staying in the background and supporting the performer.
Now, I use singing live as a way to share my energy and feelings. I don’t know how to explain it very well, but the relationship between the performer and the audience is so important to me, and that’s one of the main things I look to develop at BIMM Institute.
How have you found your time with us so far?
At first, I panicked a bit because I thought I didn’t know anything and I was super behind, especially in production. But after a few weeks and hours in Studio A and B, I think I am finally catching up with everything.
Everyone has been super friendly and helpful. I’ve lost count of how many times I thought I was asking a stupid question when someone else was thinking the same as me.
What are you hoping to achieve whilst studying with us?
I hope to gain experience as a performer and get a glimpse of the real-life artist experience. I also hope to learn more about networking, the creative process, releasing music, the process of studio sessions, mixing, and how to create my own brand.
Tell us about the guitar that you won. A pleasant surprise?
When I found out I won the guitar, I was surprised, but nothing quite compared to when I actually saw it. I was amazed. It is stunning, and it sounds incredible.
I have been a guitar player for several years, but this is my first time owning an electric guitar. I have already written a few songs on it, and I look forward to playing it for many years.
Thinking of studying with us at BIMM Institute? Check out our course page to see what would be right for you.
