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Empowering the next jazz generation in Wales: RWCMD launches National Youth Jazz Wales partnership
National Youth Jazz Wales is an ambitious new partnership between the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, National Youth Arts Wales and Jazz Explorers Cymru, to nurture and inspire the next generation of Welsh jazz musicians.
Empowering the next Welsh jazz generation
National Youth Jazz Wales is an ambitious new partnership between the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, National Youth Arts Wales and Jazz Explorers Cymru, to nurture and inspire the next generation of Welsh jazz musicians.
This new collaboration will offer a Wales-wide talent development programme, ensuring young jazz musicians can access high-quality education, expert mentorship and performance opportunities.
Bringing together established jazz musicians from across Wales, it will build a strong, connected network that will inspire, support and nurture the jazz players of the future.
Providing accessible top-level jazz education
The partnership begins with a three-day jazz school in April and is open to instrumentalists and singers aged 14-22, from across Wales for workshops, masterclasses and rehearsals. Based at the Royal Welsh College, they’ll work with renowned jazz educators including RWCMD Head of Jazz Andrew Bain, Paula Gardiner, previously Head of Jazz at RWCMD and Huw Warren as well as specialist tutors.
They’ll also be supported by RWCMD jazz students as part of their community and engagement training developing their own skills as mentors and educators
A new era of jazz in Wales
‘We want to build a community where the next generation of Welsh jazz musicians can flourish, working closely with our partners, music services and jazz promoters throughout Wales.
This exciting new partnership creates a long-awaited opportunity to provide accessible top-level jazz education, giving real focus and energy to young Welsh jazz students.’Andrew BainHead of Jazz, RWCMD
The ambition is that this pilot will lead to a programme of support for young jazz musicians, including a summer school followed by a Wales-wide tour, and a new national youth jazz ensemble next year.
‘Working with the country’s most inspirational jazz professionals, the National Youth Jazz Wales partnership will provide a friendly and collaborative platform where young jazz musicians can connect with each other and develop together.
We aim to ensure every young musician from Anglesey to Newport, from Pembrokeshire to Colwyn Bay, can take an exhilarating journey in contemporary improvised music.
Welcome to a new era of jazz in Wales!’Evan DawsonChief Executive, National Youth Arts Wales
The pilot programme is supported by Arts Council of Wales and National Music Service Wales, reinforcing the shared commitment to developing jazz education across the country.
For enquiries, please contact: nyaw@nyaw.org.uk
Editors notes
Jazz experience isn’t necessary but to make the most of the opportunity, ideally students should be at least Grade 5, or equivalent standard, on their instrument.
Course fees & bursaries: Thanks to support from our partners and the Arts Council of Wales, course fees have been subsidised to ensure accessibility. Costs vary depending on travel and accommodation, and bursaries are available for those from lower-income households.
For more information: Bursaries — National Youth Arts Wales
Students must either have been born in Wales, currently living in Wales, or studying full-time in Wales.
National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) aims to empower the next generation of musicians, actors, dancers and makers to build a creative, confident and generous future for Wales. It is the charity responsible for Wales's celebrated national youth ensembles in theatre, dance and music – with members from every Welsh county.
NYAW is committed to inclusivity, ensuring that all young people, regardless of their socio-economic background, have access to these transformative experiences. Supported by Arts Council Wales, the National Music Service of Wales, Creative Wales and others, NYAW plays a pivotal role in the cultural landscape of Wales.
