Galyam’s journey in Sound Tech
CF spotlights takes a look at the young creatives from Creative Futures Lewisham, Lewisham Music’s creative careers development programme supporting young people aged 18-30 who are looking to kickstart a career in the creative industries.
Galyam

Meet Galyam, a talented singer and artist who is carving out her niche in the world of sound technology in London. With a lifelong passion for music and a hands-on approach, she is currently navigating an exciting yet challenging phase in her career. Balancing a part-time role at Dr. Martens with her love for music production and sound engineering, Galyam is eager to blend her artistic expression with technical proficiency.
In July, after completing her sound tech training with Saffron, she took the plunge and applied for the Sound to Glastonbury course. This programme promised hands-on experience and training in sound production and engineering—skills essential for her aspirations as a multidisciplinary artist. Since then, Galyam has secured a position during the festival season with a sound company called ‘Sound Services’ and has also been working as crew at The Albany Theatre in Deptford.
“Being given the opportunity to learn from passionate engineers and be part of the team was incredible.”

Key experiences and training feedback
During her time on the Sound to Glastonbury project, Galyam immersed herself in various training sessions that blended theory with practical skills. Her feedback highlighted both the positive aspects of the programme and areas for improvement…
Initial training experience: Galyam found the first day of the course to be informative but noted that the sheer volume of information was overwhelming. The small group size sometimes led to a lack of structure, which made it challenging for her, especially as someone with ADHD. She expressed a preference for a more focused approach and wished for more practice opportunities to reinforce her learning.
Mentoring sessions: One of the standout features for Galyam was the mentoring sessions, where participants shared their diverse experiences in the sound industry. These discussions were empowering, especially as she could relate them to her personal journey, particularly concerning issues of discrimination and resilience.
Favourite moments: Among her favourite moments during the course was the collaborative atmosphere fostered among participants. Galyam particularly enjoyed exchanging stories about their individual experiences in sound tech, which inspired her to embrace her unique journey.
The hands-on sessions that allowed her to experiment with sound equipment also stood out as highlights, giving her the chance to apply what she learned in a practical setting.
Challenges encountered
Despite the enriching experiences, Galyam faced challenges in balancing her creative pursuits with the realities of living in London. Finding representation within the industry has been particularly difficult, contributing to her feelings of isolation. Reflecting on her time at Glastonbury, she noted…
“As a Black woman, although I felt heard, I didn’t feel represented. It is a programme for diversity, and it would have been nice to have diversity within the supervisors. They were amazing, don’t get me wrong, but it could have facilitated certain communication issues.”
This lack of representation in leadership roles made it harder for her to feel like she truly belonged in the industry, complicating her path forward. However, Galyam remains determined to succeed in sound technology, actively seeking opportunities that resonate with her goals and values.

Work Experience at Glastonbury Festival
Galyam’s time at Glastonbury Festival was a significant milestone in her journey. Although she felt that her experience there didn’t fully capture the festival’s atmosphere, she recognized the value of the opportunity. Motivated by her training in the “Sound to Glastonbury” course, Galyam viewed this experience as vital for maintaining her momentum in the sound tech field. She sought real-life experiences to better understand her role in the industry, particularly in sound engineering, which had become increasingly important to her.
Next steps
Since completing the course, Galyam has continued to thrive in her career, working with ‘Sound Services'”‘ and securing opportunities with the sound crew at The Albany. She expressed her gratitude for these experiences, saying…
“Being given the opportunity to learn from passionate engineers and be part of the team was incredible. The music was great!”
Looking ahead, Galyam is excited to attend the Southbank symposium in November, where she will speak on a panel about her experiences in the sound tech industry as an entry-level professional. Her journey is just beginning, and with her passion and determination, the future looks bright for this aspiring sound engineer and artist.

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If you’d like to find out more about Creative Futures Lewisham, including upcoming courses, talks, mentoring, and workshops, please click the link below, and start creating your future now!