Cedric Charles
Cedric is combining his love of filmmaking with a life-long passion for music to explore what creativity means to him and bring to the fore representations of his own making.
Key facts:
Programme: Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Media and Screen Studies/Bachelor of Music, specialising in Jazz
High school: St Peters College, Auckland
Scholarship: First in Course Awards for MUS 197 Jazz Ensembles, 274 Jazz Theory and Composition, and 275 Jazz Theory and Arranging
“What appealed to me most about my conjoint, especially the Bachelor of Music portion, was the practical aspect. Rather than solely learning Jazz theory and Musicology, I get to spend most days in practical classes and gaining playing experience too, which has been so creatively fulfilling. It is such a learning positive environment, and I’m able to explore how to play music with a range of people from different backgrounds and musical interests.
“My conjoint enables me to develop both of my passions at the same time. Jazz and Media and Screen Studies go hand in hand, as both are about finding your own creative voice. Whether it be through mimicking a solo in jazz, or emulating a shot or colour grade in film, you can develop and find your own voice through experimenting with those influences.
“My lecturers are incredibly passionate about what they do, and it's evident in the way they show up to class and teach with enthusiasm and a true fervour for the subject. The Jazz academics especially have been outstanding and fundamental to my growth as a musician and as an individual. I’m constantly surrounded by passionate people and staff that encourage and uplift me.
I love being in a space where creativity exists. There are so many incredible people in both of my degrees who are passionate about what they do and where they want to be in their artistry. It has been an amazing opportunity to collaborate with them, share ideas and learn more about the craft from other people.
“One of my favourite papers so far has been MUS 199A – Musicking. You are placed into small groups and collaborate on arranging and playing repertoire. By being able to creatively engage with your band members and create something together, you allow yourself to connect with fellow musicians on a deeper level. You can then better understand common ideas in the solos they play, how they like to arrange things, and what they need to feel supported within a group context.
“The student lifestyle has been great for me, I’ve felt more at home being able to study what I want and lean into areas of interest that are relevant to my passion. We had a guest lecturer for Jazz come in and asked us to improvise the score for a scene. This experience opened the possibility of film scoring as a career option and is now something I really want to explore in my own work.
“Joining the University’s Stray Theatre Company has also been a highlight of my student experience, having the chance to perform in Dracula and Romeo and Juliet. I’ve always wanted to get into acting, so being a part of Stray has been good to keep my acting muscle worked out.
“I’ve also been able to explore my culture and Tamil heritage through my studies and want to continue this into my future career. In Jazz, I’ve been working on incorporating my Carnatic musical heritage in my improvisation as well as in filmmaking, exploring my culture through the narratives I create for myself. I want my creative outputs to reflect the many influences that make me who I am, as creativity itself is an expression of love and an outlet for individuality.
“When I was 18 and starting university, I felt lost and amazed all at the same time. Having put the work in and learning all I now know, there is value in being able to see myself continuously improving and it is a testament to the valuable learning experiences I’ve had here.”