NYTW member Lauren talks to Lysh Cymru

Recently Lauren Connelly, member of National Youth Theatre of Wales, shared her experiences of racism with Lysh Cymru and AM.

In this video, Lauren talks about her own experiences, about the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and about what white allies can do to educate themselves about racism.

Thank you to Lauren, Lysh Cymru and AM for sharing this. Click on the link below to watch the video. 

National Youth Dance Wales supports U.Dance Digital

We’re delighted to be supporting U.Dance Digital, this year’s online version of the UK’s national youth dance festival.

Taking place on 17-19 July 2020, with sessions on Zoom, Facebook and Instagram, we’ll be supporting some of the workshops throughout the weekend.

National Youth Dance Wales’s producer, Jamie Jenkins, will be taking part in a session on advanced training, and there’ll be a chance to find out more about NYDW’s work.

Visit the U.Dance Digital website to find out how to watch each session.

Sessions supported by National Youth Arts Wales

Friday 17 July, 14.15-14.45

Being an Artistic Director, with Hakeem Onibudo (Impact Dance)

Friday 17 July, 17.45-18.30

Spotlight on…Taking your Training Further

Including Jamie Jenkins, NYDW Producer

Friday 17 July, 19.30

Facebook Live Watch Party with the National Youth Dance Companies

Saturday 18 July, 09.30-10.30

Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures masterclass

Exciting brass band weekend for under 22s in Wales

National Youth Arts Wales is delighted to be supporting an exciting opportunity for young brass players in Wales under the age of 22 led by the prestigious Cory Band. Thanks to support from Arts Council Wales (ACW) this digital August Bank Holiday weekend event will be free for all and consist of sectional and individual tuition and masterclasses from Cory Band tutors and full group sessions with Cory Band Musical Director Philip Harper. These will result in the production of some final performance videos featuring all participants soon after the event. The whole event will be delivered online, or semi-online, depending on government restrictions at the time.

Explaining the rationale for the new project, Philip Harper commented: “As we all try to find our way through this continuing lockdown, one of the big voids left in the musical life of young brass players in Wales is the cancellation of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales’s (NYBBW) Summer Course, which I was due to conduct and many Cory principals were due to tutor. We’re very pleased that National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW), the body which organises NYBBW, will be our partner in delivering this weekend.

“Entry requirements for NYBBW include Grade 8 in your instrument, however our Youth Brass Weekend will cater for all abilities with a unique modular approach. We will have shorter sessions available for beginner players which can be logged into and out of individually without any further commitment, right through to a full timetable for more advanced players where sessions run chronologically one after the other, and even the facility for individual lessons for a truly differentiated offer. So, this opportunity is open to absolutely every young brass player in Wales.

“At Cory Band we are itching to get back to the thrill of live music-making, and interacting with other musicians in the same room, but in the meantime we have begun to invest our efforts and develop new skills in online delivery. All aspects of this weekend can be enjoyed from participants’ homes, and we understand the need to build physical activity and other diversions into what we do, so it’s not just all day in front of a screen, especially on what might be a gloriously sunny Bank Holiday Weekend! We are very excited to be able to offer this, and we hope people will be excited to read about it.”

Gillian Mitchell, Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales said "This is a wonderful chance for our National Youth Brass Band Members from all over Wales to unite under Philip Harper's leadership once more and recreate some of the flavour of the residency they have sadly missed out on this Summer. Widening the entry criteria is also a fantastic opportunity for younger players who may aspire to join NYBBW in the future; to gain both the expert tuition to develop their technique as well as an insight into the wonderful community spirit being part of the Ensemble brings."

More information will be announced in due course, including registration details.

NYAW launches Digital Yoga series for its Dance members

A bespoke programme of online yoga classes designed specifically to strengthen core skills in strength and flexibility has been launched for members of National Youth Dance Wales 2020 and its development programme Momentwm.  

The classes will take place fortnightly on Zoom to deliver a focused hour of yoga for the young dancers, to support them both with their movement practice and well-being from the comfort of their own homes across Wales. Having been forced to cancel the annual dance residency programme due to the current health crisis, NYAW has been keen to explore high quality digital opportunities for its members.

Jamie Jenkins, NYAW Dance Producer  said “We are thrilled to be able to offer a series of online wellbeing sessions to support our NYDW members remotely. These sessions are designed to strengthen their bodies and minds, whilst enabling members the opportunity to connect with each other from all areas of Wales digitally” 

The programme will be led by NYDW resident yoga tutor Tori Lang and each session will have a different emphasis to help progress with a focus on: whole body strength, deeper flexibility and mobility, balance and stability, inner focus and attention, decompression and relaxation. Tori said:  “I’m really pleased and excited to be able to continue to support the young dancers in their ongoing development. Yoga is a fantastic complimentary practice for dancers, and the demands dance puts on their bodies. It will help to improve technique, form, performance and support a long, happy and healthy dance career” 

BBC NOW Mentoring Scheme

We’re excited to announce our new mentoring scheme with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales for our National Youth Orchestra of Wales musicians.

The longstanding relationship between Wales’ two national orchestras has always resulted in fantastic collaborative projects; from the Halloween family concerts, the unforgettable Bernstein Mass at the BBC Proms and this year’s St David’s Day concert with Welsh folk giants Calan. The highlight of those projects has always been the opportunity for the National Youth Orchestra of Wales members to benefit from the knowledge and experience of their professional counterparts as they sit side by side in both rehearsals and performance.

Read more

National Youth Arts Wales creates inclusive new career pathways into arts management

As a new organisation committed to developing talented young performers in music, theatre and dance from across Wales, National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) has also created accessible opportunities for those wishing to pursue careers in arts management ensuring its workforce accurately reflects its members and stakeholders.  

NYAW is delighted to welcome its two new recruits, Rhiannon Llewellyn as Trainee Producer and Chloe Baker as Trainee Arts Administrator.  Both roles were shaped in a way that would allow NYAW to play its part in encouraging applications from young people from socially diverse backgrounds, who might be interested in exploring a career in the creative industries.  

Gillian Mitchell, NYAW’s chief executive explained “We looked at potential barriers for applicants, seeking advice from young people in Wales and other stakeholders and changed our approach to recruitment as a direct result of those conversations.  We recognised that potential, not experience, was what we needed and wanted.  A few parameters were put in place; applicants had to be under 25 and recently graduated from a Welsh university. In addition, applicants had to have been in receipt of a full maintenance grant throughout their period of study. Inspired by the work of the Weston Jerwood Creative Bursaries, we asked applicants to tell us about what inspired them and made the interview process as informal and relaxed as possible.”   

“We had a huge amount of interest in the roles and met some amazing people along the way but ultimately Rhiannon and Chloe felt like a good fit.  They have made a huge impact at NYAW in a short space of time and we are all enjoying learning from each other.” 

Chloe Baker (left) and Rhiannon Llewellyn

Rhiannon Llewelyn, 23, is a Performing Arts graduate from University of South Wales. ‘Whilst in school I was in every show and concert imaginable and without the support from my Drama teacher I’m not sure I would have gone to University; but boy am I glad I did! I gained exposure to the behind the scenes world of the creative industry and finally found my calling. Knowing how the arts changed my life and how it can change others’ makes me extremely grateful to work for NYAW and make a difference in young people’s lives. NYAW has given me the tools to share my passion with others and shape the future for the young people of Wales.’ 

Chloe Baker, 23, is a recent music graduate from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama where she became interested in the arts and orchestral management alongside performing the violin. “I grew up with an incredible music service and department at sixth form which lead towards me getting into music college. I was delighted to lead the RWCMD Symphony Orchestra that toured around Wales and performed to over 3000 school children. Ever since that tour, I have found it incredibly rewarding to see young people enjoying the arts, which is why I am enjoying my time at NYAW! I have been involved with preparing auditions and workshops for the ensembles and although I only have a music background, I have been involved with the dance and theatre ensembles too. I have thoroughly enjoyed working with the team and cannot wait to see the residencies and performances in 2020! “ 

NYAW is committed to continuing to offer these opportunities to others and is exploring ways to extend them to school leavers in the future. 

"Incredibly special to me” Michael Sheen credits his time at National Youth Theatre Wales as being a catapult for his career

Ahead of the 2019 National Youth Theatre of Wales residency in partnership with Theatr Clwyd, ensemble members received a very special message of encouragement from ex NYTW member, the mighty Michael Sheen.

The Welsh actor was in Cardiff as a key supporter of the Homeless World Cup and took time out of his schedule to wish the new members luck on their journey.

Reflecting on his time as former member, the Good Omens star introduced himself as

“Ex National Youth Theatre of Wales Member, Michael Sheen”, describing his time with the Ensemble as “incredibly special’ and explaining that coming from his hometown of Port Talbot, it was “pretty much the first time I’d ever come to Cardiff.” 

“To come together with all these people from all over wales… it opened my eyes to all kinds of things.  I had the most amazing experience working together with a group of people; people who like me were passionate about what we were doing. It really catapulted me into what I went on to do afterwards. So a very special time for me”