National Youth

Jazz Wales

Empowering the next jazz generation in Wales

A large group of young musicians playing instruments in a modern concert hall with wood and glass architectural elements, and an audience watching.

National Youth Jazz Wales is an ambitious new partnership between Jazz Explorers Cymru, National Youth Arts Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, supported by the Arts Council of Wales and National Music Service Wales. Together, we aim to build a new talent development programme to inspire and support young jazz musicians throughout Wales.

On 14-16 April 2025, we welcomed over 50 aspiring young jazz musicians from throughout Wales to the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama for a 3-day course of workshops, masterclasses and rehearsals. They worked with internationally renowned jazz educators, culminating in an informal public performance. It was joyful, challenging and collaborative.

The pilot course was open to all instrumentalists and singers between the ages of 14-22. There was no need to have prior jazz experience to apply, but we suggested that everyone should be at least Grade 5 (or equivalent) standard on their instrument. Participants were split into different groups based on their age and experience to ensure everyone received the right level of support. 

The lead tutors were Paula Gardiner, Huw Warren and Andrew Bain (Head of Jazz at RWCMD) – with additional support from other specialist tutors and jazz students. Scroll down for more information.

Next Steps

We are currently reviewing feedback from the participants, working with the partners, tutors, Music Services and Arts Council Wales to develop a longer-term strategy for youth jazz development in Wales. Further details will be available here soon.

Meet our Jazz Tutors

Our tutors are drawn from the most experienced jazz educators and performers in Wales, including the current and previous Heads of Jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama. Details of more tutors will be added below, when available.

A smiling man with blond hair and a beard in a recording studio with wooden walls, sitting in front of music equipment.

  • Andrew is Head of Jazz at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

    Musician, educator and researcher, he is one of the leading performers and educators in Europe having performed with luminaries such as Wynton Marsalis, Natalie Cole, Kenny Wheeler, Randy Brecker, John Taylor, NDR Big Band, Dave Liebman and Bob Mintzer, including a New York residency.

A smiling woman with gray hair tied back, wearing earrings and a patterned black and beige jacket, in front of a black background.

  • Paula was Head of Jazz at The Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama until retiring in 2023 to resume her freelance career.

    During the nineties and noughties, Paula founded several bands including the Paula Gardiner Quartet, 6, The Paula Gardiner Trio, Paula Gardiner 6.0 and the anarchic big band that was Wales’ Jazz Composers. She has worked internationally, taking her own music to the US and composing/conducting a major project in Wales and South Africa for the cultural Olympiad, 2012.

A man lying on his stomach with his head resting on a grand piano's inside, in an empty auditorium with rows of purple and brown seats and colorful stage curtains in the background.

  • Welsh pianist and composer Huw Warren has an international reputation for innovative and eclectic music making. His playing and compositions have featured on major stages worldwide and as well as being frequently broadcast. Huw has appeared on over 50 recordings, including a set of highly individual albums under his own name. His approach to jazz education centres around the broadest possible definition of genre, and a focus on developing the individual voice both in improvising and composition.