Dmitri Olayzola Thomaneck

I am currently in receipt of a scholarship to study BSc Physics with Studies in Musical Performance. Through this combined degree, taught jointly by the Royal College of Music and Imperial College London, I aspire to reach a level of competence such as would enable me to pursue a career in scientific research or musical performance.

Inspired by Stephen Hawking’s ideas, my curiosity for quantum physics and general relativity has been fuelled by scientific journals and Richard Feynman's work on QED. At school, I attended Royal Institution mathematics master classes at Aberdeen University, science workshops at BP and took part annually in competitions such as the BPhO Physics Challenge and the RSC International Chemistry Olympiad. I also won the school Analytical Chemistry Competition two years running and represented my school at the UK Mathematical Team Challenge finals in London.

I am equally committed to my musical studies, taking every opportunity to perform, take part in workshops, courses, and master classes to improve my musicianship. I have developed confidence as a soloist for the National Boys Choir of Scotland and as leader of several school ensembles, as well as of the treble section of the National Youth Recorder Orchestra of Great Britain and of the viola section of Imperial College String Ensemble. I am a long-standing member of many other musical organisations, such as the National Youth Choir of Scotland, St Andrews Cathedral Choristers, the Society of Recorder Players, the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland and the Grampian Youth Orchestra. I have enjoyed taking part in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival and BBC Composer Labs, and have had lead roles in drama productions, including with Youth Music Theatre UK. I have received music awards from the EMI Sound Foundation, Awards for Young Musicians, the Musicians Benevolent Fund, the Walter Bergmann Fund, Young Scot, the North East of Scotland Music School and a Wolfson Scholarship to study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama Junior Academy.

Managing all of these activities and doing the fundraising for them, whilst pursuing my academic studies, has enhanced my organisational skills. My academic achievements include prizes for Physics, Analytical Chemistry, Mathematics, French, Music, Composition, colours for Music, and the 6th Year Lockhart Prize for excellence in academic performance. I am confident that studying at these prestigious colleges will make me an enthusiastic and reliable tutor.