Student of the Week - Suzy Devey

We are very excited to announce Suzy Devey as this week’s Student of the Week!

“Here are some reflections for you! I decided to enroll with Ridley Academy to give myself the gift of music. I had heard some of Stephen’s songs, which I found incredibly emotionally connecting. This led me to a webinar with him, and I realized enrolling would be such a gift— to be able to play for other people without thinking too much and truly be myself on the piano. I wanted to really share something honest and expressive, and I wished to understand music on a deeper level, too.

"Personally, I truly wanted to overcome some barriers in my self-confidence — specifically with performing — and to get the belief that music was not only for the ones who had studied it inside and out. There are many barriers I overcame as a beginner, and now every time I go to sit at a piano, I have so much love for it. To me, I think that’s a sign of remarkable teaching— that during the steps of learning you can really become connected to your instrument and can evolve with it, as your learning progresses.

”I loved Stephen’s video lessons! Each one taught me so much, and I continue to dive into them. It’s important to go back if I feel anything is missing, as I have discovered, and still am honestly discovering. There are so many golden nuggets in there! It’s a pleasure to walk through the journey with Stephen through his guided lessons. I enjoy his humor and the way he demystifies how music has traditionally been taught in our systems. He had me crying & laughing all at the same time in many moments along my learning.
 
”My confidence and playing have evolved massively since starting Ridley Academy. Before, I didn’t even know what notes were, what a scale was, how rhythm fit into the whole picture, or how to sit at a piano with any confidence. It was all a bit alien to me. I remember feeling a bit disjointed at first, but I truly trusted that it would change in time.

”I’m proud that I can now use both my hands independently and especially proud to have started to make up my own song! I’m also proud of being able to sing and accompany myself too. I overcame my own self-doubt with Ridley Academy. For me, that’s massively important. I’m still learning— that’s ongoing on this journey!
 
”Something else I overcame was the understanding that even if music wasn’t part of your family upbringing in your household, it is still so possible to make that happen for you later in life, and I love Ridley Academy for that, truly.

”The staff and team at Ridley Academy have always been so supportive. The instructors are always kind, and there is a real sense that you are being championed on your own journey, which I love. There are helping hands to nudge you back on track and make you feel really good about where you are at, no matter what that looks like at the beginning.

”In the future, I’d love to play music live and write some songs. And I’d love to play or work with some really cool musicians in the future. It feels like a different chapter in my life opening up.

”For that, I am forever grateful to have found Ridley Academy.”

— Suzy Devey, Ridley Academy Student of the Week, 21 August 2026

Very well done, Suzy! We are so proud of you!