For third-year student Michael De Huy, music is more than just a passion – it’s a way of life.
Today, as a Major Music Scholar at St Andrew’s College, Michael’s commitment is as strong as ever, as he currently studies a Bachelor of Music (Performance), as an Honours student at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music under Natalia Ricci.
Yet, his studies make up only a small chapter of the extraordinary musical journey Michael has embarked upon. Over the past two years, St Andrew’s College and the Sydney Conservatorium of Music have supported him through scholarship trips, sponsored music programs and masterclasses across Europe, encouraging him to refine his skills as an accomplished improviser, arranger, and composer.
The result of this dedication and support is impressive: Michael has been named a finalist in the 2024 Australian National Piano Award and won first prize at the 2023 Valencia International Piano Festival Competition. He also won the 2023 Sydney Conservatorium of Music Piano Concerto Competition and was a joint recipient of the 2023 Theme & Variations Foundation Award to name a few.
We caught up with Michael to discover how being at St Andrew’s College has provided him with the means and encouragement to pursue his goals and dreams on a global, international scale.
How has St Andrew’s helped you achieve your musical goals and start your career?
St Andrew’s has given me a foundation for support in a multitude of ways such as counsellors, mentors for consultation, financial aid, career resources, networking opportunities, and staff that are there to support me.
They have provided me with the means to access important education that is appropriate for my field of work, where a great deal is in Europe. They have also supplied me with an excellent set of facilities which has helped me tremendously to have the time and mental space to do the work involved that is necessary to achieve excellence.
Do you have any stand-out pictures/memories from your time travelling?
The locations were all extremely beautiful. In France, the masterclasses were held at a chateau in the countryside of Toulouse. It was a vineyard, so they had fresh wine every dinner as well as a whole kitchen team that prepared fresh food for every meal.
The Madeira Piano Masterclasses proved to be the most intense period of study I have ever experienced, having 7 personal lessons in 5 days, not including the numerous masterclasses I observed from my peers during this time. Studying extremely closely with Marta Zabaleta, possibly the best living Spanish interpreter, was a transformative experience both musically and pianistically.
I am so absolutely grateful for Music at Chateau D’aix, Create NSW and particularly St Andrew’s College for sponsoring these trips and making them possible. It has been the most productive and resonating experience of my life so far… not only was the education high quality, but the surrounding experiences complemented it really well.
What is your long-term goal, and how has being at St Andrew’s helped you to discover this?
While I am still figuring out what my long-term goals are, what’s for certain is that it will be a mix of things that would ideally centre around performance.
I’d want to also compose a lot and produce projects that encompass a range of talents working together in collaboration – I’m also keen on projects that include the wider community.
St Andrew’s has provided me with a lot of really valuable connections that not only can give me opportunities and advice within my chosen field but also opened my worldview up to other adjacent industries and that’s always a helpful position to be in.
What advice would you give to other aspiring musicians at St Andrew’s?
Ultimately, College is there to help you. It is a super-charged extension of University where things like opportunities for socialisation and career support are given tremendous resources.
College is designed to be a very comprehensive university experience, but that doesn’t mean it has to be comprehensive. College does not wish to confine you but only to have you be supported, happy, and excel. Try to not be afraid to pave your own experience according to your values and needs.
And then also… remember that College is an amazing place and a community that is actively trying to help you succeed. While not everything will be for you, many things will be – reach out to enquire about and access College’s amazing capacity for targeted support.
As Michael continues to navigate his musical path, his experiences and achievements highlight the profound impact that dedicated support and opportunity can have on an artist’s growth. With an inspiring vision for the future, he exemplifies how education can empower young musicians to reach new heights and make meaningful contributions to the world of music.