Nina playing live at Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts on the Sussex campus

The Gazelle Twin Scholarship for Women in Music Technology at Sussex aims to help tackle gender imbalance in the music tech field.

Originally established with the support of the composer, producer and alumna, Elizabeth Bernholz aka Gazelle Twin (Music 2006), each year the scholarship supports one woman or non-binary student who is starting a Music BA or Music Technology BA at Sussex. It is co-funded by generous donations from University of Sussex Music Department alumni and friends.

With women making up just 5% of the music tech industry, initiatives like this are vital for encouraging underrepresented voices to thrive, and this award demonstrates Sussex’s broader commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion in the arts.

Nina Kohout will be graduating this summer with a BA in Music Technology. Nina is a Gazelle Twin scholar. This is her story:

“My name is Nina Kohout. I'm an artist originally from Slovakia, but I now live in the UK. After completing my Music Tech studies at The BRIT School, I felt a strong desire to deepen my understanding of the fascinating world of music technology. I chose to go to Sussex to do a Music Tech BA because it stood out for its high level of professionalism, attention to detail, and genuine passion for the subject.”

“Living as a student in Brighton can prove expensive, so initially I was motivated to apply for the Gazelle Twin Scholarship for financial reasons. Obviously, I was really pleased when I was awarded it, but it became more than just pounds in my bank account. Once I’d explored Gazelle Twin’s music more deeply, I came to feel a sense of honour and gratitude for being awarded a scholarship associated with an artist as exceptional as her.”

Nina describes the impact that the Scholarship had on her studies and her music. She says:

“Rather than using the award to cover day-to-day expenses, I chose to invest in something meaningful for my future as a composer: my first synthesiser. It’s an instrument I still use regularly and one that has become a key part of my creative process. The Scholarship gave me the means to start building my home studio, which made both my professional work and my university projects more practical, efficient, and creatively fulfilling.

“Having the synthesiser constantly available has also allowed me to create music in a much more spontaneous and organic way. It has deepened my connection with the instrument and has given me new tools for expression, pushing my artistic vision forward.”

So, what does the future hold for Nina after she has crossed the stage at summer graduation? She says:

“It’s business as usual! I've been building my solo music career for over 10 years across Europe; highlights include performing at Eurosonic—the Europe’s biggest showcase festival—and winning the Radio_Head Award for Album of the Year 2024 (Critics’ Choice) for my debut ‘Gentle Autopsy’, which I composed, produced, mixed, and recorded mostly on my own. This summer, I'm preparing to support Massive Attack on the main stage at Pohoda Festival in Slovakia.”

When asked what three words she would use to describe the Gazelle Twin Scholarship, Nina says: “hopeful, generous, and inspirational.”

She continues:

“Scholarships like this one allow students to invest in essential tools for their development as musicians—things that are often out of reach due to tight student budgets. They also give students the confidence to seriously pursue a career in the music industry.

“Scholarships really do make a difference by giving support at a crucial point in in a student’s life. But it’s more than just financial help — it’s encouragement.”

Will you consider supporting a scholarship at Sussex?