Curriculum Vitae
Andrew Richards bmus MMus
| andyjrichards93@gmail.com | www.andrewjohnrichards.com |
Personal Statement
As a recent postgraduate music student of the University of Manchester, I am excited about the prospect of working for you. I wish to gain experience in the work environment and see your store business grow. I have thoroughly enjoyed both my undergraduate and master’s degree in music and composition, as it has expanded my horizons for my career and my abilities in interpretation and critical analysis; which is a useful for both arts-based and commercial employers. During my time at Cardiff University, I volunteered with the RAF St Athan Voluntrary Brass Band, requiring me to work closely with current band members, while learning to play percussion and drum kit. As with all orchestras and groups, working in a supportive team is vital to its success. For my studies in Manchester, I work closely with professional ensembles such as the Danel Quartet, Psappha and Trio Atem in the development new composition. These collaborative efforts help to refine the composition and promote the ensemble, while exposing and considering new musical ideas and approaches.
The musical world requires you to be warm, friendly and approachable to adapt to a fast-paced and ever-changing environment; most notably when sight-reading music and moving from contrasting parts of the music. These are skills that are transferrable and well-suited to a fast-paced customer service environment. I am always willing to go the extra mile to give my best performance in any area that I am working in.
EMPLOYMENt
CURRENT:
Employment: Software Developer
Simul Software Ltd., Baltic Creative Digital House, Studio J, 44 Simpson St, Merseyside, L1 0AX, United Kingdom | 10th December 2018
I work as Software Developer at Simul in Liverpool, coding in C++. We focus on cloud and atmospheric render for PC, Console, Unity and UE4. I am a self-taught programmer, focusing on C++, OpenGL and Vulkan. Big thanks to Yan Chernikov for the C++ and OpenGL education and Grant Sanderson of 3Blue1Brown for the higher maths education.
Responsibilities:
Continue the development of Simul’s products, mostly trueSKY, provide fixes and new features. Work in collaboration with multiple developers to maximise the effectiveness of the whole team. Provide solutions to problems and assist others through constructive conversation.
Key Achievements:
Development of my C++ coding skills, gained knowledge in Vulkan, D3D11, D3D12, OpenGLES. Diversified knowledge of rendering approaches and techniques, code design and the broader scope of software development. Representing Simul at GDC and TechCrunch in San Francisco, CA.
PREVIOUS:
Employment: Level 2 Teaching Assistant
Ridgewood High School, Park Road West, Wollaston, Stourbridge, DY8 3NQ | 8th May 2017 - 31st December 2017
Responsibilities:
• To work with students (some with Special Education Needs), so that they can access the curriculum and develop their knowledge and skills sets.
• To work in collaboration with teachers and other members of staff to review lessons, teaching approaches and best practices to make continual improvement to the quality of education and its access thereto.
Key Achievements:
• Showed commitment and punctuality; and act as a role model for students.
• I have worked one on one or in small groups delivering assistance, or leading small groups activities.
• Showed patience, understanding and maintain a clear and calm mind, when dealing with difficult situations.
Employment: Newspaper Round and Store Assistant
Wollaston News and Off licence, 99 Bridgnorth Rd, Stourbridge, DY8 3NY | September 2015 - 7th May 2017
Responsibilities:
• To safely and accurately deliver newspapers on a daily basis.
Key Achievements:
• Showed commitment and punctuality; especially as the hours were quite early.
• The safe use of roads and respect for other roads users at busy times, whilst learning to drive.
Work Experience: DRP Group | www.drpgroup.com/index/
212 Ikon Estate, Droitwich Road, Hartlebury, DY10 4EU | 19/10/2009 – 23/10/2009
Responsibilities:
• Working with a team in video production and events.
Key Achievements:
• Showed commitment and punctuality.
• Ability to work on long extended tasks by myself.
Employment: Newspaper Round
Wollaston News and Off licence, 99 Bridgnorth Rd, Stourbridge, DY8 3NY | September 2015 - 7th May 2015
Responsibilities:
• To safely and accurately deliver newspapers on a daily basis.
Key Achievements:
• Showed commitment and punctuality; especially as the hours were quite early.
KEY SKILLS
Technical Skills:
• Sibelius 6 - 8.5
• Pro Tools 11, Logic Pro X and Reaper 5
• DaVinci Resolve 12.5 and 14
• Adobe Photoshop CS2
• AutoDesk Fusion 360
• Office (some knowledge in Access)
• Some use of Visual Studio 2013, coding in Visual C# (Console Application)
• Using Visual Studio 2017/2019, coding in C++, Vulkan, OpenGL and D3D12
Qualifications:
• Full UK Driving Licence (Jan 2016) [AM (01,122)/B (01)/fkq (01,122)]
• Grade 5 Piano (Playing ability is Grade 8)
• Grade 4 Electronic Keyboard
• Grade 5 Music Theory
• Aikidō
• Tae Kwando - 7th kup
Self taught and continual self-education:
• Musical Instruments: Bass, Guitar and Drum Kit and various percussion.
• German: Proficient C1/2 level (CEFR).
• Japanese: Independent A2/B1 level (CEFR) (Can read Grade 1-3 jōyō kanji).
• Modern Computers: Studied the working and construction of computers.
• Basics electronic sciences: Studied basic logic gates through to arithmetic logic units and binary coded decimal converter.
• Mathematics and Physics: An extension of my A-levels to include some university level topic, which are: double, triple, line and surface integration, modulo function, hyper-dimensionality, imaginary numbers, angular momentum and Maxwell’s equation of electromagnetism.
Personal Skills:
• Logical
• Organised
• Hard-working
• Attention to detail
• Problem solving
• Ability to see the bigger picture and its impacts
• Cost conscious
• Time keeping
• Self-motivated, driven especially in self-education
• Can work with little to no supervision
• Ability to understand problem straight off
• Empathic
• Dextrous
• Eloquent especially with language
• Good communication both in person and over the telephone
• Creativity, obviously in Music; but this helps in other in other areas
• Touch type QWERTY
Transferable Skills from a Music degree:
• Analytical skills
• Application of existing knowledge
• Articulate expression
• Awareness of cultural differences
• Career Planning
• Confidence
• Communication: Written and Oral
• Creativity
• Critical thinking
• Decision making
• Design and visual awareness
• Engagement with the unfamiliar
• Entrepreneurism
• Etiquette and conventions
• Evaluation skills
• Independent learning
• IT skills
• Lateral thinking
• Leadership
• Listening skills
• Negotiation
• Numeracy
• Organisation and planning
• Problem solving
• Professional ethics
• Research skills
• Reviewing progress
• Self-awareness
EDUCATION
The University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
Music - Composition (MMus): Merit (65%) [Level 7]
Completed: September 2016
After attaining my Bachelor’s Degree in Music, I was awarded a joint scholarship from the University of Manchester and the Higher Education Funding Council for England to continue my studies in musical composition. I have refined my skills in my field and worked with very high level of professionals, such as the Danel Quartet, Psappha and others from within the university, attaining both an academic and commercial knowledge, which will further me in my career. The majority of my degree is finished, with only a portfolio of composition to hand in, before I finish in September and graduate in December.
The University of Manchester (Language Experience for All Programme), Manchester, UK
Post-intermediate Japanese (ULJA20020 - Post-intermediate Japanese): Not credited
Completed: April 2016
As a continuation of my Japanese education from Cardiff, I furthered my studies and took a LEAP language course; attending weekly three hours classes in the evening (which extended my day in Manchester considerably), because of my love of the language. I studied advanced grammar points and extended my vocabulary and most importantly began to intuitively use and understand the language.
Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
Music (BMus–W302): 2:1 (67%) [Level 4-6]
Completed: June 2015
Music is a subject, which promotes and hones many skills, such as artistic expression, mastery of your instrument, communication, analysis and inspection, reasoning and most of all creativity. Music, itself, covers vast areas from historical research through composition and performance to studio production and recording.
Cardiff University (Languages for All), Cardiff, UK
Japanese Beginners (D-ML9101 Japanese Beginners Part 1): Pass (95%) [Level 4]
Japanese Beginners (D-ML9102 Japanese Beginners Part 2): Pass (95%) [Level 4]
Completed: July 2015
Japan; its language and culture, has always been something that I admire. Having already learnt German to a high standard, there was no reason, why I should not also learn Japanese. Modern foreign languages are becoming increasingly useful in the globalised world, and I feel it is both an asset to me and the company.
King Edward VI College, Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK
Completed: August 2012
Mathematics: A - Physics: B - Music: C - German: D
Ridgewood High School, Wollaston, Stourbridge, West Midlands, UK
Completed: August 2010
English Language: B, English Literature: C, Mathematics: A*, Statistics: B, Biology: B, Chemistry: A, Physics: A, Music: B, German: B, Product Design: B, Geography: C, Citizenship: B.
OTHERS:
DigitalMe Black Country c/o BSmart Training, Halesowen, UK
NCFE Award in Digital Promotion for Business [Level 2]
Completed: March 2018
I attended this course to diversify my portfolio of skills in other area of business such as digital promotion (through SEO and social media), videography and app coding.
PERSONAL INTERESTS
My enquiring mind means; that I have an interest in many varied subjects including origami, Mah-jong, Shōgi (Japanese Chess), chess, learning Japanese and German, science and physics; along with many, many more.
REFERENCES
If you require references, please contact the flowing people:
Simul Software Ltd: Dr Roderick Kennedy: roderick@simul.co.uk
Ridgewood High School: To whom it may concern: info@ridgewood.dudley.sch.uk
The University of Manchester: Dr Camden Reeves: camden.reeves@manchester.ac.uk
The University of Manchester: Dr Kevin Malone: kevin.malone@manchester.ac.uk
Cardiff University, Dr Daniel Bickerton: BickertonDI@cardiff.ac.uk
Cardiff University, Dr Arlene Sierra: SierraAE@cardiff.ac.uk
DRPGroup, Paul Nicholls: anythingspossible@drpgroup.com