Inaugural David Jackson Award presented at National Youth Choir of Wales concert

The inaugural David Jackson Award was presented at the National Youth Choir of Wales’s final concert of the 2026 tour on 21 August, at the Brangwyn Hall in Swansea. 

The award has been created in memory of David Jackson, Chair of National Youth Arts Wales from October 2017 until summer 2025, when he stepped down because of illness. He died on 17 October 2025. 

During his time as Chair, David led the organisation through its formative years. He first focused on the leadership of the five National Youth Ensembles of Wales, then helped broaden NYAW’s remit to other art forms. He championed high-quality, collective creativity for all young people and was determined that nobody should be left behind, particularly because of disability or financial hardship. Thousands of young people across Wales have taken part in NYAW projects, ensembles and performances as a result. 

Before he died, NYAW agreed with David that a new annual award would be established in his name to celebrate the most promising singer in the National Youth Choir of Wales. At his suggestion, the award recognises the most “promising and generous” singer of the year, as selected by the choir’s conductor and tutors. 

The winner receives a cash prize and the opportunity to give a solo recital at next year’s final choir concert. 

This year’s inaugural award was presented to James Oakley. 

Photo by Kirsten McTernan

National Youth Choir of Wales’s Conductor, Tim Rhys-Evans, said: "I am delighted that this year's David Jackson Award has gone to James Oakley, a chorister who not only has been a loyal and committed member of NYCW for many years, but one who embodies the generosity that was such a central part of who David was, and why he chose that particular word for the criteria of the Award that bears his name. James has been Tenor Section Leader on the Nash for the last two years of his time with the choir and is always looking out for his fellow tenors. He greets every challenge with positivity and a great big smile... something that I know will be an important quality in his chosen career in Musical Theatre. James is deeply passionate about singing and possesses a fine voice, and a refined sensitivity for Musical Theatre performance. I'm sorry that James's time in Nash has come to an end but am grateful for all he has given to the choir. I wish him every success for the future.” 

National Youth Arts Wales intends the David Jackson Award to become an annual highlight of the National Youth Choir of Wales season. If you would like to make a donation to support this work, please visit https://www.nyaw.org.uk/donate.