Jess Fisher - musician, Nottingham

Jess Fisher, musician, Nottingham. A part of the Able Orchestra for many years, Jess has been involved in the development of Control One, an assistive instrument made by Digit.

Project Visit: Horizon Studios

Amy Frenchum, Worldwide Project Manager - Future Bubblers

Future Bubblers is an expansion of the Gilles Peterson and Brownswood Music ethos. It’s a talent discovery and development idea put together in collaboration with Arts Council England, with a focus on making in-roads into new areas, geographically and musically across England.

The Plugin Project: Music For Mental Health

The Plugin Project by Quench Arts brings music-making to young mental health inpatients (12-25) in Birmingham and Coventry, empowering them to express themselves and paving the way for lasting music opportunities in care settings

Transforming music-making in Essex special schools

Essex Music Education Hub* realised that opportunities for music-making in the county’s special schools were patchy at best. They knew things needed to change, and they embarked on a strategic plan to ensure children with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEN/D) don’t miss out.

Maddie Morris on Touring As An LGBTQ+ Artist

For Pride Month, Youth Music NextGen Fund artist Maddie Morris shares their experience of touring as an LGBTQ+ musician, and how activism through song can impact an audience.

"I expressed myself on the drums" - Tommy's story

Drummer Tommy, 15, is studying GCSE Music and loves composing his own beats. It’s a real change from a few years ago, when he had issues controlling his temper and was excluded from school several times. The Drum Works project has given him a creative outlet and helped him stay out of trouble.

Supporting disabled musicians - OpenUp Music

Bristol-based OpenUp Music has helped to transform music-making for young disabled people nationwide with its ‘Open Orchestras’ programme. Barry Farrimond, OpenUp’s Chief Executive and Technical Director, spoke to us about how Youth Music has supported the organisation over the years.

The Youth choir fusing beatboxing, Asian singing, folk and improvisation - LYVE

The Lancashire Youth Vocal Ensemble (LYVE) programme is run by More Music. It began in 2013 and gives young vocalists (aged 14-21) from across Lancashire the chance to perform together and develop their singing skills, whatever their background or previous experience. There are a number of different LYVE groups across the county.

Jamal Guthrie - Route, London

Jamal is the founder of Route, a platform which aims to inspire those entering the music industry by sharing stories, experiences and practical advice.

Sponsor spotlight: Steve Mayall, Music Ally

Discover how Music Ally, in partnership with Youth Music, is breaking barriers in the music business. Founding Director Steve Mayall shares insights on empowering young creatives through the Creative Entrepreneurship Programme.

Kent Album Project: Amplifying Young Voices

The Kent Album Project, led by Square Pegs Arts, set out to capture the spirit of Kent and Medway through the voices and talents of young autistic, learning-disabled, and neurodivergent individuals.

WILD Young Parents: Music Makes Us Happy

WILD Young Parents is the UK’s biggest young parent organisation. Based in Cornwall, the organisation has been supported by Youth Music for several years now.

Lavz

Hailing from Luton, Lavz is a standout creative force in a scene currently populated by a wave of similar artists. She carefully blends Hip-hop, R&B, soul and jazz, to create a unique and attention-grabbing sound. Her lyrics speak of truth in a relatable tone from a favoured & flawed person.

Marz Fay

Martha Byrant, also known as Marz Fay is a spoken word artist, actor and musician from South London. During lockdown Martha has released three tracks via Sound Cloud. Truly DIY, which she created home in her make-shift studio and created DIY visuals to release on her YouTube channel. The The 18 Year old sound is reminiscent of Lo-Fi and melodic with lyrics heavily rooted in poetry.

Fred Fredas

Fred Fredas is an Artist/Songwriter/Musician from South London. His masterful - poetic flow & hard-hitting lyrics, mixed with a clear love for soulful instrumentals; produces thought provoking, endlessly playable music. It is not hard to detect both American and British influence in Fredas’ work. An astute and observant storyteller, he harnesses the immediacy of grime with the undeniable sheen of modern Hip-Hop.