Musician, 26, is one of Britain’s brainiest graduates

17 Jul 2012

A University of Manchester student who graduates tomorrow (18 July) has joined the ranks of Britain’s brainiest after achieving another top qualification at the age of just 26.

Stephanie Oade, from Liverpool, has the rare distinction of achieving a first class Bachelors degree in music, postgraduate distinction in music, a Fellowship from the Royal Schools of Music and now a first class Bachelors degree in Latin language and literature.

The cellist studied Latin part time at The University of Manchester, while carrying out full time study at Manchester’s Royal Northern College of Music, as well as progressing a successful music career.

At Manchester, she earned a huge 83% for her final year dissertation entitled "Poetry into Music", which takes for its subject instrumental settings for the Roman poet Ovid's Metamorphoses.

At the RNCM, she achieved the highest cello mark in the Final Recitals and was awarded the prestigious Leonard Rose Cello Prize.

Stephanie has performed extensively as a soloist since making her concerto debut at the age of 16 playing Tchaikovsky’s Rococo Variations and is now a full-time cellist in the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra.

She has also performed with the BBC Philharmonic, Halle, Royal Philhamonic, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic, London Symphony and Philharmonia Orchestras, as well as Northern Sinfonia and Manchester Camerata.

As well as featuring on the David Rees Williams Trio’s most recent CD, Stephanie’s own debut CD was released in January 2010.

She said: “The University of Manchester has been so supportive in giving me the freedom to pursue my twin passions in music and Latin.

“They have given me great support and encouragement; I can’t imagine any other institution being able to do so much for me.

“Latin was an interest I had at school, which is why I decided to take the degree. I certainly didn't expect to do so well!

“Thanks to Manchester University, Latin will be a lifelong interest for me– though music is where my future lies.”

Professor of Classics and Ancient History Roy Gibson said: “To achieve so much in so short a period is remarkable; we are very proud of Stephanie.

“She graduates with the highest weighted first in the department of Classics and Ancient History.

“Her stunning final year dissertation on the reception of Ovid in instrumental classical music is currently being reworked for publication.

“To combine her academic successes with a burgeoning music career is testament to her rare abilities.

“Our congratulations to her and her family. I am sure she has a bright future ahead of her.”