Cordelia Williams, 2006

Cordelia read Philosophy at Clare, at the same time as winning the BBC's Young Musician of the Year competition. She has since performed globally as a concert pianist, with her fifth album due out later this year.

Who was your greatest Clare influence and why?

I hadn’t realized this, but when contemplating this question I realized it was Douglas Hedley, who supervised me for Philosophy and mentioned in passing that despite my terrible essay-writing at the time, I might eventually be able to get a 1st. I dismissed it at the time amidst the chaos of trying to combine performing with Theology but that small comment has travelled with me to this day, encouraging me to respect my own mind and aim high in my writing and thinking, as well as musically.

Cordelia's Story

Studying a non-musical degree at Cambridge was an unexpected choice for me. I’d devoted my child and teenage years to playing the piano, and having finished music school and recently found myself BBC Young Pianist of the Year I was expected to continue on to conservatoire. So it was a step into the unknown, but Clare College was so supportive of my desire to read Theology alongside an active performing career, when other colleges had been doubtful of how I could do that. Learning how to split myself between my life as a pianist and my Theology degree has prepared me invaluably for the challenges of being a freelance musician (and parent).

My younger self probably wouldn’t have taken any notice of my older self’s advice, but I would say “Don’t get discouraged or forget that you have something to offer which is unique and valuable. Even if your path is different from that of other people, it doesn’t mean it is wrong – you are neither behind nor ahead but exactly where you are supposed to be.”

The strongest memory I have of my time at Clare is either the exciting concerts I was involved in through the Instrumental Award Scheme and the college and university orchestras, or cycling along between University Library and the Divinity faculty with that feeling of possibility and openness which always accompanied a lecture or a new essay topic. I still chase that feeling every day. Or perhaps lazy summer afternoons spent sitting on the Backs with friends; or leaping to catch a runaway punt on the way to Grantchester, post-May Ball.

Clare College also gave me my most significant individual life moment: I returned to Clare to give a recital in the Chapel celebrating Graham Ross’ first Evensong as Director of Music. After the concert I met my future husband (who was a friend of Graham's from the same year at Clare) in the antechapel over a glass of wine. The best kind of college networking… I wouldn’t be at all who I am, or lead the life I lead, without Clare, and I’m grateful for that.