National Youth Jazz Wales returns to Cardiff this August

National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) is excited to announce National Youth Jazz Wales will return this summer for a 4-day residency, taking place 25–28 August at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Cardiff. 

Open to young musicians aged 14+, the residency offers a fun-filled week of playing, learning and making music together, working alongside an excellent team of tutors including Huw Warren, Andrew Bain, Paula Gardiner, Tomos Williams and Joe Northwood. 

The course is not suitable for complete beginners – as a guide, participants should be around Grade 3 standard or above – but the most important thing is a passion for jazz and a willingness to learn, play and collaborate with other young musicians from across Wales. 

Angharad Jenkins, Folk and Jazz Producer at National Youth Arts Wales said: “We can’t wait to welcome young jazz musicians from across Wales to Cardiff this summer. It’s a joyful, collaborative week, and a brilliant chance to play alongside some of the country’s leading jazz educators.”

Head of Jazz at RWCMD, Andrew Bain, said: “It is such great news to announce the return of the National Youth Jazz Wales Summer School. We have a fantastic course planned with some of the finest jazz musicians in Wales, ready to teach the next generation of young, Welsh talent. I can't wait to get going!”

The week builds towards a sharing event in the RWCMD foyer on the Friday afternoon, where parents, friends and family are warmly invited to join in and celebrate the week’s music-making before everyone heads home. 

The 4-day residency costs £400, which includes tuition, three nights’ accommodation and meals. Bursaries are available for those who need financial assistance, and anyone travelling from further afield who needs accommodation on the Monday evening is encouraged to get in touch. 

National Youth Jazz Wales is an ambitious partnership between National Youth Arts Wales, National Music Services Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama, supported by the Arts Council of Wales, building a new development programme to inspire and support young jazz musicians throughout Wales. 

Places are limited, so early booking is recommended. 

To book your place, visit: www.nyaw.org.uk/whats-on/national-youth-jazz-wales-summer-residency-1

Folk and Jazz Discovery Days for Young Musicians Across Wales

National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) is delighted to announce FREE Folk & Jazz Discovery Days taking place across Wales this March, offering young musicians aged 14–22 the chance to find their sound! 

Designed for musicians of Grade 4 and above, these one-day workshops provide a fun, inclusive and supportive environment to experience folk and jazz music with other musicians.  

Led by experienced tutors, the Discovery Days will introduce participants to the foundations of folk and jazz through practical workshops, group playing and creative exploration, ending the day with an informal sharing to parents and carers. 

National Youth Arts Wales Folk and Jazz Producer, Angharad Jenkins, said: “These Discovery Days are all about dipping your toe into a new genre and discovering new ways of making music with others. We warmly welcome young classical musicians who are curious to explore new genres, as well as talented traditional players of all backgrounds and cultures who may not have followed a classical music pathway. Folk and jazz are incredibly welcoming, creative music styles, no matter your musical background or previous experience. Come along and try something new!”  

National Youth Arts Wales would like to encourage musicians of all traditional music backgrounds to take part in the Discovery Days this March – whether your background is Welsh Folk, or any other world music tradition, these sessions will be fun for all! 

The programme is delivered by National Youth Arts Wales, in partnership with National Music Service Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama and strategic support from Arts Council of Wales, strengthening pathways for young people in Wales to discover development opportunities in their musical journeys.
 
Places are free but limited, so advance booking is required.  

For dates and locations, and to sign-up, visit: www.nyaw.org.uk/whats-on