Herts graduate finally finishes musical journey 30 years in the making

A University of Hertfordshire graduate has brought songs she recorded over 30 years ago back to life with skills she gained after returning to higher education in her 50s.

Melanie Vondrau, 53, is graduating from Herts this September with a BSc (Hons) in Sound Engineering and Music Production. Despite starting the course with no experience in the field, she was determined to succeed and show others what’s possible a little later in life.

Her songs were originally recorded when Melanie, who is South African, was 23, at the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) studios in Johannesburg alongside professional musicians. The recordings were subsequently held on old inaccessible technology elsewhere and remained ‘unpolished’ for decades.

However, after gaining the right expertise at Herts, Melanie began restoring and reimagining them, re-recording vocals and piano in the University studios. She also tracked down members of the original South African recording team to share the finished work.

“It’s just all come full circle – my younger self wouldn’t have believed this process,” she says. “I realised that I didn’t want to rely on others to make things happen, so I enrolled on the course and I can just do it all myself. Not only that, but it’s been three of the best years of my life.”

Melanie returned to education at 49, initially studying GCSE English and Mathematics before completing an Access to Higher Education Diploma. She then discovered Herts’ Sound Engineering and Music Production degree and applied through Clearing.

She is especially enthusiastic about Herts’ specialist facilities as well as the teaching and staff who gave her the confidence and skills to realise an ambition she had put aside decades earlier. She also found that she gained meaningful connections with other students on her course.

“The facilities are incredible. Where else could I access a professional studio and state-of-the-art equipment in this way? The University has given me opportunities beyond my expectations.”

Melanie also became involved in Herts’ Propeller project and is hoping to return as an artist, with ambitions to perform three of her songs for a future production. She hopes that she can work with the next generation of students at the University to make this happen.

Next, she is preparing to start a Master’s degree at Herts while continuing to develop her career in music and creative production.

“If I could offer one piece of advice – it would be go for it. Have a look at Clearing. Don’t think about age or any other barriers you might have. Just go and have a look at the facilities and meet the people you’ll be learning with – you won’t be disappointed.”

Clearing is now open. Find out more about our courses and how you can join the University of Hertfordshire this September.