Seven questions with Selina Yogeshwar

This week, we meet Selina Yogeshwar, a second year Human Sciences BSc student.

Selina is President of the UCL Music Society and talks about her experiences performing with UCOpera.

Why are you interested in this subject and what do you plan to do in the future?

Human Sciences is great because you can choose a range of different modules. I am particularly interested in neuroscience of sleep and would much like to conduct further work in this field in the future.

What is the most interesting thing you've done, seen or got involved with while at UCL?
The most interesting thing I have done in UCL is UCOpera. Last year, we performed 'Aroldo' (Verdi) and this year we hosted the British première of Gounod's 'Polyeucte' (it was written in Tavistock Square, really close to UCL!). So many different people were  involved in putting it on stage and it is great to see that they all dedicate so much time, effort and passion.

I had the great honour to be the President of UCL Music Society this year. While this has often been a lot of work, especially for the production of the opera, I appreciate everything this position has taught me. When, for example, a musician drops out spontaneously, you have to find someone very quickly and that sometimes turns out harder than expected. However, having such a hard working and determined committee around me, none of those challenges brought us off track. I am very grateful for all those, who have always been there to help in any and every situation. Many have sacrificed hours of sleep and uni work for the society and if it weren't for their commitment, the opera would not have been as great as it was in the end.

There is always this claim, that you learn how to function and work in a group. While this is obviously true for the work in a society, I find one particular thing far more important and significant: the collective interest and appreciation for something. It is without doubt, that music brings people together and when 20 chorus members start entertaining the entire bus to Bloomsbury with opera tunes, you know that you, as a group, have a passion for something.

The diverse experience of taking part in UCOpera is something unique, and it is not only one of the most interesting things I have done in my two years at UCL, but in my entire 19 years of life.

Have you discovered any hidden gems during your time at UCL?

One of the best hidden gems in UCL is the lift that goes from the Lower Ground floor straight up into the Jeremy Bentham Room. It is a fantastic short cut in order to get all instruments for our orchestra rehearsal up there without conquering any stair cases (although carrying instruments is a great workout in order to train your "timpani triceps" and "double bass biceps"...)

Give us your top three things to do/see/go to in London. 

UCOpera, The Wallace Collection, Covent Garden Market.

If you were Provost for the day what one thing would you do?

If I was Provost for a day, I would introduce a happy hour for coffee from 9-11am. And of course I would come and see the UCOpera performance to show my support to the students!

Who inspires you and why? 

Katarina Barley, one of the German Ministers is an inspiration to me. She is always nice and polite to people and at the same time, makes her point and politics. Her personality trades are definitely an example to me!

What would it surprise people to know about you? 

A crocodile was named after me.