Mentorship
Beyond the Practice Room
An 8-week summer mentoring programme for music college and conservatoire students
Being a musician takes so much more than simply excelling at your instrument. Your artistic growth is deeply connected to your sense of purpose, confidence, identity, and how you relate to your craft. Beyond the Practice Room is a summer mentoring programme for music college students who are seeking clarity, direction, and grounded artistry in their musical lives.
Why Summer?
The summer months can often feel disorienting for musicians. Without the deadlines, regular lessons, or peer support, it is easy to feel lost or unmotivated. You may find yourself doubting your entire approach to practice: unsure what to focus on and feeling disconnected from your musical voice. This programme is designed to be a supportive anchor during this period. It is an opportunity to reflect, realign, and reconnect with your music, your aspirations, and yourself.
What Is Inside This Programme
Over the course of 8 weeks, you will be part of a supportive community of fellow musicians exploring the deeper layers of life as a musician. Through targeted modules, discussions, and personalised mentorship, we will explore:
Finding your unique voice and artistic identity
Navigating performance anxiety and developing presence on stage
Creating sustainable, self-motivated practice routines
Balancing external pressures with internal purpose
Clarifying your vision for your musical path and career
You will also receive two one-to-one mentoring sessions, where you will get a chance to address your specific challenges and concerns.
What You Will Gain
By the end of the programme, you will feel more focused in your practice and clearer about where you are heading as a musician. You will rediscover your motivation, unlock new creative energy, and feel more connected to your music. You will gain a sense of belonging as you expand your circle of supportive peers who are navigating similar journeys.
This programme is about reconnecting with the why behind your playing and realising that the most fulfilling path is the one only you can walk.
Who Am I?
I am Yulia Vershinina-Mukhopadhyay, a London-based classical pianist and if you are wondering how to pronounce or spell my name, do not worry — most people are!
I graduated from the Royal Northern College of Music in 2017, and since then I have been building a life in music that feels meaningful, connected, and mine. I perform, mentor and teach — currently at the junior departments of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and the Royal College of Music. I am also a certified mental health first aider.
I have played in some beautiful places: St Martin-in-the-Fields, Luxembourg Philharmonie, Carnegie Hall, and at the Britten Pears Chamber Music Festival. In 2024, with my piano duo we released our debut album (ré)inventions à deux pianos which was featured on BBC Radio 3 and received 4-star reviews in the BBC Music Magazine and the American Record Guide.
I know how vital it is to have someone in your corner, someone who can help you navigate not just the technical side of music, but also the emotional and psychological challenges that arise along the way. We often think we need to fit into a narrow mold to succeed in the music industry, but I want to help you realise that your path is unique and that what you are offering is valued and needed.
When, Where, and How It Works
The programme runs from 6 July to 31 August 2025 and takes place entirely online, so you can join from wherever you are spending your summer. We will meet for weekly live sessions, with additional reflective prompts and materials sent between meetings. You will also receive two individual one-to-one mentoring sessions at times that work for you.
This programme is open to current music college and conservatoire students of any discipline. Places are limited to keep the group personal and supportive.
Interested?
If this resonates with you, I would love to speak with you. Sign up for a free one-hour consultation call via the link below. It is a chance for us to talk about your current goals, your challenges, and to see whether this mentoring programme is the right fit for you