Our Music Production, Performance and Business BA Degree Show celebrates the talent and individuality of graduating musicians as they showcase their final projects and performances. Bringing together original compositions, live performances and creative collaborations, the showcase highlights the diverse artistic voices developed throughout the course.

Among this year’s graduating artists is Juste Dar, a multidisciplinary Lithuanian artist based in London, whose final-year project explores themes of love, loss, identity and personal growth. Her EP, Who Can You Trust?, combines English and Lithuanian lyrics to tell a deeply personal story through indie, alternative pop and rock influences.

Ahead of her Degree Show performance, we caught up with Juste to discuss the inspiration behind her final project, the journey of bringing her music to life, and how studying Music at Westminster has helped her develop as an artist and prepare for a career in the music industry.

Can you tell us about yourself as an artist and the final project you are presenting, and what inspired it?

I am Juste Dar, a multidisciplinary Lithuanian artist based in London, creating raw, relatable, story-driven music with intentional concepts and themes. My work explores love, longing, identity and growth through a blend of indie, alternative pop and rock influences.

For my final project, I created an EP titled Who Can You Trust? The project combines English and Lithuanian lyrics, with each song representing a different emotional stage of a personal journey. Including Lithuanian was especially important to me because it allowed me to explore a part of my identity that I had never fully shared in my previous releases.

The EP was inspired by a difficult period in my life, including the loss of my parents, particularly my mother, and the process of grieving while navigating major life changes. Writing these songs became a way of processing emotions and finding meaning through creativity. Through my music, I hope to connect with others who have experienced love, loss, change and personal growth.

Can you tell us about the music pieces you have chosen for your Degree Show performance, and what inspired them?

For my Degree Show performance, I will be performing three of my most recent releases from the EP. Together, they tell the story of a relationship that has fallen apart, with each song representing a different emotional stage of that experience.

The songs explore themes of love, longing and learning to let go. Writing and performing in both English and Lithuanian allows me to express these feelings authentically and connect with audiences from different backgrounds. Some lyrics are direct, while others use imagery and metaphors, allowing listeners to find their own meaning in the songs.

What have been the biggest challenges and rewards in preparing for your final project and performance?

One of the biggest challenges was managing unexpected changes and finding the right people to collaborate with. Throughout the project, I experienced several changes in musicians and had to adapt quickly when plans changed. The most rewarding part has been seeing the project come together despite those obstacles. Through persistence and determination, I created four songs that I am genuinely proud of and that represent a significant step forward in my artistic development. From the songs themselves to the live performances, artwork, merchandise and audience feedback, it felt like the first project where every element truly reflected who I am as an artist. The process taught me resilience and reinforced the importance of trusting my creative vision.

How has your time on the course helped you develop and grow as a performer, musician, and creative artist?

My time at Westminster has shaped me both personally and professionally. The course helped me understand not only how the music industry works, but also the type of artist I want to become and the steps needed to build a sustainable career.

Alongside developing my songwriting and performance skills, I gained experience in branding, marketing, artist management, music production, recording, film music, game music, and the fundamentals of mixing and mastering. The course also gave me opportunities to collaborate with others, perform on stage, and learn from industry professionals.

Most importantly, Westminster gave me the space to experiment, make mistakes and discover my own sound. When I started the course, I knew I loved music. By the end, I understood how I wanted to contribute to it and had developed the confidence to pursue my own creative vision.

You recently took part in the Distant Horizons funded trip to Cannes for the MIDEM conference, what was that experience like, and what did you take away from it?

The MIDEM trip was an incredible opportunity to gain insight into the international music industry. One of my biggest takeaways were the importance of networking and building genuine professional relationships.

I connected with industry professionals from different countries, including a contact from Barcelona who shared valuable advice and potential opportunities for future collaboration. I also discovered organisations and companies that support independent artists and learned more about the many different career paths available within music. The experience broadened my understanding of the global music industry and showed me how important it is to build connections alongside developing your craft.

Looking back on your time studying at Westminster, what has been the highlight of your experience?

It is difficult to choose just one highlight. Meeting talented and inspiring people, making lifelong friendships, and growing as both a musician and a person have all been incredibly valuable experiences. If I had to choose one defining moment, it would be discovering my own sound and creating music that truly feels like me. For the first time, I developed a clear artistic identity and the confidence to share it with others.

Releasing my own original music and seeing audiences connect with it has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my time at Westminster.

Looking ahead, what are your plans after graduation and where do you hope your music journey takes you?

After graduation, I plan to continue releasing music consistently, growing my audience and developing my career as an independent artist. My goal is to build a dedicated fanbase and become a touring artist, performing my original music in the UK, Lithuania and beyond.

Alongside my artist career, I hope to continue working behind the scenes in live events, particularly in sound and lighting, while occasionally performing at public and private events. Having experience on both sides of the stage allows me to stay connected to the industry, continue learning, and build a sustainable career while growing as an artist.

About Westminster

As one of the most diverse universities in the UK, we are a global university with London energy, with more than 19,000 students from 169 countries. Visit our website to find out more about Music at Westminster.