One Direction’s bassist Sandy Beales inspires NESCol music students

April 28, 2026

Session bass player Sandy Beales joined NESCol music students on Thursday, 23 April, delivering an inspiring masterclass focused on building a successful career in the music industry.

Sandy, who spent five years performing and touring with global pop phenomenon One Direction, shared a captivating account of his journey into the industry. His presentation offered practical advice on securing early opportunities, the value of networking and sustaining a long‑term career as a professional musician.

During the session, Sandy demonstrated his musical expertise by removing the bass track from live footage of One Direction he appeared in, before performing the part live alongside the video.

A career on the world stage

Specialising in electric, synth and upright bass, Sandy joined One Direction on their first tour in 2011 and toured internationally with the band until their hiatus in 2015. The role saw him perform in some of the world’s most iconic venues, including Wembley Stadium and Madison Square Garden, and appear on major international television shows such as Saturday Night Live, The Late Late Show and The X Factor.

In addition to his work with One Direction, Sandy has performed with a range of artists including J.P. Cooper, Wheatus, Scouting for Girls and Olly Murs. He is now heavily involved in creative musical direction with Kaizen Collective, a company that supports both established global artists and emerging talent.

Live performance and expert critique

NESCol students were also treated to a live performance of Sabrina Carpenter’s Taste, delivered by a group of HND Music students alongside lecturers Scott McGill and Dan Stevenson. Sandy provided a detailed critique of the performance and offered constructive pointers for development.

Year 2 HND Music student, Nicole Dowsilas, a singer‑songwriter and founder of creative networking venture Next Wave Aberdeen, welcomed the opportunity.

“It’s been absolutely brilliant to hear Sandy’s story today and to gain real‑life insight from someone who has been at the top of their game, performing alongside some incredible artists in some of the world’s most iconic music venues,” she said.

“To have the opportunity to perform in front of him and our peers and receive such constructive and positive feedback is invaluable.”

Throughout the day, Sandy also visited various music performance break‑out rooms across the City Campus, listening to additional student performances and sharing feedback and advice.

Inspiring the next generation of creative talent

Reflecting on the visit, Sandy said: “I’ve been delivering masterclasses down south for some time now, but this is my first time in Scotland. I’ve honestly been blown away by the standard of the facilities here at NESCol. Students have access to first‑class spaces, technology and equipment, as well as lecturers with fantastic talent and expertise.

“I’ve been lucky to enjoy some amazing experiences during my early career, and I’m delighted to be able to share some takeaways with the next generation of creatives establishing themselves in the industry.”

The day concluded with a Q&A session in the Basement Theatre at City Campus, which was open to all students from NESCol.

NESCol lecturer and event organiser Scott McGill said: “It’s been a fantastic event and truly worthwhile for our students. Hearing from someone who has enjoyed such a high-profile and accomplished career is inspirational for the many talented musicians we have here honing their craft at NESCol.

“The College has invested significantly in our performing arts equipment at our City Campus, vital for training future creative artists to industry standards. Welcoming guest speakers from the creative sector is just as important, and Sandy has been hugely inspiring today. Our learners will be on a high for weeks!”

NESCol offers music courses from SCQF Level 5 to 8 in addition to programmes in sound production and drama.  Applications are open now for full-time courses starting in August.