NEWS

Tom Kemp Tom Kemp

National Youth Arts Wales welcomes three new young members to its Board of Trustees

NYAW's Board have appointed three new young trustees, as part of their commitment to embedding youth voice within its daily work.

NYAW's Board has appointed three new young trustees, as part of its commitment to embedding youth voice within its daily work.

New trustees Isaac Lewis, Rhys Watkins and Mared Browning took up their new roles during their first board meeting on Wednesday, November the 8th. Each artist within their own rights, the new trustees bring fresh perspectives to the board and place the voice of the younger generation at the highest level of NYAW’s decision making.

Evan Dawson, Chief Executive Officer of NYAW, said: “National Youth Arts Wales aims to inspire, support and connect our next generation of Welsh artists - but we can only do this with authenticity if young people’s voices are heard at every level of the organisation’s leadership. That’s why I’m so excited to welcome Mared, Isaac and Rhys to our Board of Trustees. They each bring a wealth of individual experience, creativity and good humour, which will help shape our projects and strategy over the years ahead.”

NYAW’s Board of Trustees, led by its chair, plays a fundamental role in the work that NYAW does. Acting in the best interests of the charity, it helps set our strategic plan and oversees its developments, ensuring the organisation can continue to bring the best opportunities possible to the next generation of Welsh talent through their various national ensembles and projects.

Chair to the Board of Trustees, David Jackson OBE, said: "I’m delighted to welcome our three new trustees to the NYAW Board - their varied skill sets and enthusiasm will definitely inject new thinking into our meetings. I’m confident that NYAW will benefit from their ideas and energy, and I really look forward to working with them all.”

The new appointments help diversify NYAW’s board further, with a 40% total of female representation and 40% under the age of 30. Earlier this year, NYAW published their new business plan, setting themselves the target of ensuring that at least 30% of the board are Welsh speaking by the end of 2026. Following the recent appointments, NYAW’s are pleased that they’ve already crossed the halfway mark with 20% of the board having fluent Welsh language ability.     

Instrumental in the process of the creation of the young trustee roles, was vice-chair, Karen Pimbley. “Young people are at the heart of all NYAW activity, so it was a natural step to include young people at decision making level on our Board. We are delighted that our new young trustees will help shape the direction of travel for our ensembles and projects in the coming years and there is no doubt they will become great ambassadors for the organisation.”

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Record number of young musicians throughout Wales apply to join National Youth Arts Wales

Over 330 musicians have applied, from the widest ever range of backgrounds and geographies.

Every autumn, National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) invites talented young people to audition for our national choir, orchestra, brass band, dance and theatre ensembles. The deadline for music applications was 8 October. Over 330 musicians have applied, from the widest ever range of backgrounds and geographies.

124 young singers applied to join the national choir, more than ever before. They include several with non-choral backgrounds, who have been receiving support through NYAW’s ground-breaking “Côr Skills” programme.

“Wales is blessed indeed to have musicians of such talent”
— Nation.Cymru

The Covid lockdowns had a significant impact on musical instrument tuition and development. However, this year 214 young people have applied to join the instrumental ensembles - an 18% increase on last year – showing that applications have almost returned to pre-Covid numbers.

Since the pandemic, NYAW have been working closely with National Music Service for Wales to help ensure that young musicians from across the country can aspire towards a place in Wales’ national ensembles, no matter where they are from or their financial circumstances.

“After being a member of NYCW I am like a new person…Being surrounded by so many other young people who love music as much as you do is honestly incredible!” NYCW member, 2023

NYAW is committed to removing financial and other barriers to involvement in the national ensembles. Those who can’t afford to pay audition fees are still welcome to apply, and this year 35% of applicants took advantage of this offer. Similarly, video auditions are available for those who may feel unable to attend in person, and this year 27% of applicants have chosen this route.

"Wales is blessed indeed to have musicians of such talent who will ensure that classical music in the nation will continue to thrive.” Nation.Cymru on National Youth Orchestra of Wales’s 2023 concert, St David’s Hall, Cardiff

The profile and reputation of Wales’s youth ensembles has been growing in recent years, following the formation of National Youth Arts Wales in 2017 to bring them all into one organisation. During the summer, over 3,400 audience members attended exceptionally high-quality music and theatrical performances throughout Wales, in Bangor, St David’s, Cardiff and Lampeter.

Matt Jones, Senior Producer at NYAW, said: “Wales is a nation of artists! At National Youth Arts Wales, we work hard to identify and encourage the most talented musicians, actors, dancers and more; and bring them to a really wide range of audiences. We are all very excited to meet this year’s applicants, many of whom will go on to experience ground-breaking development and performance opportunities, working with some of the UK’s leading professional conductors and directors.” 

Mari Lloyd Pritchard, Coordinator, National Music Service Wales, said: "It was a great relief to see such an increase in the number of young people who want to join our National ensembles. With the arrival of the new National Plan for Music Education Plan in Wales, we are proud to be playing a key role in encouraging and inspiring children and young people to sing or play an instrument.

“Playing together in an ensemble is a special experience, not only for the development of your musical pathway, but also for the health and well-being of young musicians in general. We are very proud that the Welsh Government's investment in music education means that there are many more opportunities, for all ages in every County in Wales, to access high-quality experiences to sing and play together.”

Auditions will take place during November, with the choir, orchestra and brass bands being formed by the end of the year. Those who are not successful will be offered alternative support. Applications for the dance and theatre ensembles will open soon. Further details are available on the National Youth Arts Wales website at www.nyaw.org.uk.

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National Youth Arts Wales partners with National Youth Theatre of Great Britain to increase arts access for disabled young people

Launching this month, “Assemble” will see National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) working in partnership with National Youth Theatre of Great Britain in South Wales.

Launching this month, “Assemble” will see National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) working in partnership with National Youth Theatre of Great Britain in South Wales. The project, which is also taking place in London and Manchester, is designed to address isolation amongst disabled young people aged 16-19 by boosting their connections with their local arts community.

NYAW will work with three non-mainstream schools, across South Wales, that specialise in moderate or severe learning support needs.

The partners will build a network of local organisations for each school that provide opportunities and progression routes into the arts and employment. The project is seed-funded by The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.

We’re really excited to work with our partners at NYTGB on “Assemble”, which will leave a lasting legacy across Wales
— Evan Dawson, Chief Executive, National Youth Arts Wales

One of the highlights of the programme will be the involvement of Gig Buddies (an acclaimed project from the Stay Up Late charity) which pairs young volunteers with neurodivergent participants to go to gigs, concerts, and other cultural events such as attending the theatre alongside relevant training. Gig Buddies will train and support volunteer “Buddies” to accompany the young people to theatre and other cultural events in their communities.

Evan Dawson, Chief Executive of National Youth Arts Wales, said: “Isolation amongst young disabled people is a huge problem in Wales. At National Youth Arts Wales, we have seen countless examples of how theatre and arts projects can inspire, support and connect young people from a wide range of backgrounds. So we’re really excited to work with our partners at NYTGB on “Assemble”, which will leave a lasting legacy across Wales, helping young disabled people engage with arts and culture opportunities in their local communities. It’s a ground-breaking example of what can be achieved when arts organisations work in partnership.”

Paul Roseby OBE, CEO and Artistic Director of National Youth Theatre of Great Britain, said: “Assemble is an important next step in our growing national inclusion programme and efforts to fix the broken pipeline that isn’t currently serving young disabled talent. Assemble will bring people together, tackle isolation and empower young voices to thrive. We’re grateful to our partners at National Youth Arts Wales and The National Lottery Community Fund for their support.”

For more information on the project’s activity across the UK, visit nyt.org.uk/assemble

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Our Statement on Arts Council Of Wales’s Investment Review

From April 2024, National Youth Arts Wales will receive an increase in revenue funding, as part of Arts Council of Wales’s Investment Review process.

From April 2024, National Youth Arts Wales will receive an increase in revenue funding, as part of Arts Council of Wales’s Investment Review process.

This additional funding will mean that we can continue to support young people, and work towards a vision where all young people have the chance to succeed in the performing arts, no matter what their background. It’ll also mean we can continue to support the wider arts sector through strong partnerships with organisations across Wales, and through our employment of hundreds of freelance artists each year.

We’d like to thank Arts Council of Wales for their increased support, and for this vote of confidence in our ambitious plans for the future.

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National Youth Arts Wales partnership project with Wales Millenium Centre, Hard Côr, is set to perform at Llais Festival.

Following a three-day intensive residency at the Wales Millennium Centre in September, our Hard Cor participants will soon be performing at the Llais festival on 13 October.

Following a three-day intensive residency at the Wales Millennium Centre in September, our Hard Cor participants will soon be performing at the Llais festival on 13 October.

Photos: Joe Andrews

Participants had the opportunity to collaborate and develop their skills further with our amazing facilitators in an intensive, but fun 3-day course. The residency consisted of masterclasses from the like of Dionne Bennett, Faith Nelson, Tumi Williams, Faith Nelson, Molara and Matthew Hann, covering areas of industry, song writing and performance workshops, and most importantly a chance for participants to collaborate with each other in preparation for their performance at LLais festival this year.

This year our Hard Côr participants will be performing a selection of their own music they have been working on for a few months at Llais festival on Friday 13th October at 7:30pm.

This is set to take place on the Glanfa which is located in the main space of the building, right in front of Radio Platfform. This is a free show, and all are welcome to come and support all the hard work and dedication our talented participants have put in!

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National Youth Dance Wales to perform new work by choreographer Mario Bermúdez

Renowned Spanish choreographer Mario Bermúdez will create a new work specially for National Youth Dance Wales’s 2023 company, to be premiered in Newport in November.

Renowned Spanish choreographer Mario Bermúdez will create a new work specially for National Youth Dance Wales’s 2023 company, to be premiered in Newport in November.

As part of National Youth Dance Wales’s intensive summer residency, 20 of Wales’s most talented young dancers came together in Cardiff to learn from a roster of talented choreographers and dance artists. This year, for the first time, they worked with acclaimed choreographer Mario Bermúdez to create a brand new work exploring themes of tribal movement, textures and relationships during their two-week residency.

Photo by Aaron Child

Mario Bermúdez, Artistic Director and Choreographer of Marcat Dance, is a prolific creator who has developed a recognizable movement language known for its dynamic physicality and long-lasting emotional impact. His work has previously been performed by many international companies including National Dance Company Wales.

Jamie Jenkins, Producer of National Youth Dance Wales, said: "This collaboration represents an exciting convergence of talent, creativity, and dedication. It is a testament to the relentless pursuit of artistic excellence that defines National Youth Dance Wales."

The young dancers will also work with Welsh choreographer, and NYDW alumnus, Daisy Howell – creating a new work for film influenced by rave culture and the energy and playfulness of movement.

The members benefitted from daily classes and a full wellbeing programme. The young dancers from Wales aged 16-22 benefitted from the programme, providing first-class training and performance opportunities. The dancers were selected by audition, with auditions taking place in locations in every part of Wales – representing the very best of young Welsh talent.

New Work by Mario Bermúdez

This new work, performed by the NYDW company of 2023, will receive its world premiere at The Riverfront, Newport, on Friday 3 and Saturday 4 November 2023. The work will be one of three works performed each evening, with works by Ballet Cymru Artistic Director Darius James and choreographer Marcus Jarrell Willis performed by dance company Ballet Cymru.

National Youth Dance Wales’s year-round programme

The summer residency is just one part of National Youth Dance Wales’s programme of work, including:

-       NYDW members at U.Dance Festival 2023 – NYDW members, Isaac and Layla, choreographed and performed their own duet as part of the prestigious U.Dance National Festival in Newcastle. As part of a celebration of youth dance from across the UK, presented by One Dance UK, Isaac and Layla represented Wales on the Northern Stage, captivating audiences from across the UK. Their work not only demonstrated their exceptional technical prowess, but also their storytelling through performance.

Commenting on the performance, NYDW Producer Jamie Jenkins said: "We are immensely proud of these two remarkable dancers from Wales who have represented our nation with such elegance and passion on the Northern Stage, Newcastle. Their journey to the U Dance National Festival is a testament to their hard work.”

-       Celtic Collective – now in its third year, this exchange programme with the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland gives young performers in both countries the opportunity to learn from each other and from different professional artists. In 2023, one dancer from Wales has already experienced life on tour as a company dancer with NYDCS, including performing at the Dublin Youth Dance Festival – and one dancer from Scotland will perform as part of the NYDW company in this year’s residency and world premiere at The Riverfront, Newport.

National Youth Dance Wales is one of the six national youth ensembles delivered by National Youth Arts Wales, the charity for young performers and creatives aged 11-25 in Wales. National Youth Arts Wales receives regular funding from Arts Council of Wales, as a member of the Arts Portfolio Wales.

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National Youth Arts Wales appoints Evan Dawson as its new Chief Executive

Evan will start his role with National Youth Arts Wales in October 2023. Evan, a Welsh-speaker born in Cardiff, has previously worked as CEO of Live Music Now and, most recently, CEO of the Royal Photographic Society.

National Youth Arts Wales, the national charity for young performers and creatives aged 11-25, has appointed Evan Dawson as its new Chief Executive.

Evan will start his role with National Youth Arts Wales in October 2023.

Evan, a Welsh-speaker born in Cardiff, has previously worked as CEO of Live Music Now and, most recently, CEO of the Royal Photographic Society – where he developed a new inclusive strategy and identity, its first youth programme and a series of visual arts and wellbeing projects.

As a saxophonist and piano player, his own musical training included South Glamorgan’s county music groups before joining National Youth Jazz Orchestra and spending a year studying jazz and studio music at Guildhall School of Music and Drama. He has since led his own 50-piece big band, volunteered as a children’s music leader on a housing estate project, and written music for TV and live performance.

Evan Dawson (on left), NYAW's incoming Chief Executive, and David Jackson (on right), Chair of NYAW's Board of Trustees, at rehearsals for National Youth Orchestra of Wales's summer tour

Evan’s work will build on the strong legacy of Gillian Mitchell, who joined NYAW as Chief Executive in 2018. Gillian left NYAW in July 2023 to take up the role of Project Director for the National Contemporary Art Gallery Wales.

“I’m excited to help lead the organisation into its next chapter, developing pathways to a wide range of creative industries”
— Evan Dawson

On his new appointment, Evan Dawson said: “I’m delighted to be joining National Youth Arts Wales as its new Chief Executive. Since its foundation in 2017, David and Gillian have built a passionate and highly skillful team of trustees and staff members, bringing inspirational arts experiences to thousands of young people. This important work is needed now more than ever before.

“I’m excited to help lead the organisation into its next chapter, developing pathways to a wide range of creative industries, and helping people from all backgrounds to connect and flourish through extraordinary and collaborative arts events. Over the years ahead, we will work in partnership with organisations and artists throughout Wales, together nurturing a confident and contemporary country, in which all talented young people can thrive.”

“I couldn’t be more pleased that Evan is joining National Youth Arts Wales...he is the ideal person to lead NYAW forward into what promises to be an exciting and challenging future.”
— David Jackson, Chair of NYAW's Board of Trustees

David Jackson, Chair of NYAW’s Board of Trustees, said: “I couldn’t be more pleased that Evan is joining National Youth Arts Wales as our new CEO. With his broad arts, business and administrative expertise and vision he is the ideal person to lead NYAW forward into what promises to be an exciting and challenging future.

“He takes over from our outgoing CEO Gillian Michell, who has grown the charity brilliantly, leaving great opportunities for Evan to build on, and I’m confident that he will bring his own brand of creative brilliance to the role. I and my fellow trustees look forward to working with him very much.”

National Youth Arts Wales is a registered charity, and receives regular funding from Arts Council of Wales, as a member of the Arts Portfolio Wales.

Evan Dawson – full biography

Evan was born in Cardiff, attending Welsh-language schools, before completing a law degree at University College London, and qualifying as a solicitor with Mishcon de Reya. He then completed an MA in Arts Management at City University, specialising in the educational and social impacts of the arts.

Evan plays saxophone and piano, and has an interest in theatre, literature, photography and film-making. Whilst growing up, he benefitted from South Glamorgan’s famous county music opportunities in the 1980s and 90s, including the High Schools Wind Band and “Jazz News” bigband. From there, he joined the National Youth Jazz Orchestra, and spent a post-grad year at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama studying jazz and studio music. He led his own 50-piece bigband in London, and volunteered as a children’s music tutor on the Aylesbury Housing Estate. He has also written music for television, including the string quartet theme for BBC Two’s “Only Connect” (filmed in Cardiff) and a choral anthem (with brass band) for the Cultural Olympiad in 2012, premiered at the Dora Stoutzker Hall.

In his professional career, Evan was Head of Development at Making Music, developing its arts and health policy, researching the impact of community singing groups around the country, and commissioning many new works for orchestras and choirs. He was then appointed CEO of Live Music Now (LMN), who deliver evidence-based work at schools, healthcare settings and communities throughout the UK, working with over 350 freelance musicians each year. In 2019, under his leadership, LMN was a Finalist in Charity of the Year in recognition of their work with special schools. He has presented LMN’s arts and health research at the House of Lords, Royal Society of Medicine, Sydney’s Gallery of New South Wales and (in Welsh) at the Welsh Assembly. Following that, he became CEO of the Royal Photographic Society, where he created a new inclusive strategy and identity, its first youth programme and a series of visual arts and wellbeing projects. He has also been a National Advisor to Arts Council of Wales, and an evaluation consultant for the Quartet Community Foundation in Bristol.

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Congratulations to our 2023 Orchestra and Brass Band prize winners

Each year on our residencies, we celebrate our musicians who display the most promise and dedication. The recipients of each award is decided by the sectional tutors during the residencies.

Each year on our residencies, we celebrate our musicians who display the most promise and dedication. The recipients of each award is decided by the sectional tutors during the residencies.

National Youth Arts Wales would like to express its gratitude to those who have donated money for the creation of these awards.

NATIONAL YOUTH BRASS BAND OF WALES

The John Childs Memorial Trophy

Awarded to the most promising player at this year’s residency

Ellie Carlsen

The David Mabey Prize

Awarded to the most improved player on the residency

Sion Lloyd

The Principal Cornet Trophy

Donated by Tony Small

Erin Maloney & Elizabeth Rogers

NATIONAL YOUTH ORCHESTRA OF WALES

The Haydn Davies Award

Awarded to the most promising player still in education

Jacob Adams (French Horn)

The Irwyn Walters (Friends of NYOW) Awards

Awarded to the two most promising string players at this year’s residency

Rhys Nicholson (cello) and Luke Doyle (violin)

The Wil Jones Prize

Awarded to the most promising woodwind player at this year’s residency

Catrin Davies (clarinet)

The Goronwy Evans Award

Awarded to the most promising brass player at this year’s residency

Dafydd Owen (tuba)

The Tony Moore Harp Prize

Awarded to the most promising harpist at this year’s residency

Erin Fflur Jardine

The Tony Moore Percussion Prize

Awarded to the most promising percussionist at this year’s residency

Nathan Corish

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See the future of Welsh arts. National Youth Arts Wales announce 2023 summer events.

This summer, over 230 young actors, musicians, and singers aged 16-22 will be performing in concerts and productions across Wales.

The seriously talented young performers of National Youth Orchestra of Wales, National Youth Brass Band of Wales, National Youth Choir of Wales, National Youth Theatre of Wales and National Youth Dance Wales are ready to show off their passion and potential.

This summer, over 230 young actors, musicians, and singers aged 16-22 will be performing in concerts and productions across Wales.

From 28 – 30 July, National Youth Brass Band of Wales will perform concerts in Bangor, Aberystwyth and Cardiff.

Conducted by Paul Holland, NYBBW will showcase their versatility with pieces including Eric Ball's High Peak, Gareth Wood's Five Blooms in a Welsh Garden plus music from Debussy, Walton and Paul Lovatt-Cooper. Belgian cornet soloist and rising star Lode Violet brings his own youthful flair to the line-up.

From 1 – 5 August, National Youth Orchestra of Wales will perform events in Bangor, Lampeter and Cardiff, as well as festival appearances in St Davids.

Conducted by Carlo Rizzi, NYOW will take audiences on a journey through the Czech countryside with Smetana's Vltava from Má vlast. They’ll also perform Richard Strauss' Four Last Songs featuring soprano Elizabeth Llewellyn, and Shostakovich's Symphony No 5.

From 25 – 28 August, National Youth Choir of Wales will be performing concerts in Bangor and Cardiff, as well as a festival appearance in St Davids.

The singers of NYCW have had their say and put together a programme of their favourites for this year's concerts. Audiences will hear everything from the atmospheric music of Eric Whitacre to the beautiful melodies of Welsh composers. There's even an arrangement of one of Stevie Wonder’s legendary songs. Tim Rhys-Evans, best known for his work with Only Men Aloud and Only Boys Aloud, conducts.

From 31 August – 2 September, Dylan Thomas’ classic is reimagined for the bold young voices of National Youth Theatre of Wales in a new stage adaptation of Under Milk Wood / Dan y Wenallt at the Sherman Theatre in Cardiff.

The lyrical world of Llaregubb combines with the contemporary Wales of today in a fusion of English and Welsh, alive with music, microphones and loop pedals. This refreshingly original production is adapted by Mari Izzard, based on Dylan’s original play for voices and the Welsh translation by T James Jones. It is directed by Emma Baggott.

Later this year, National Youth Dance Wales present a new piece by acclaimed choreographer Mario Bermúdez Gil, premiering in November 2023 alongside leading dance company Ballet Cymru.

The lineup of events this summer has something for everyone. They are a great opportunity to experience, and support, the passion and promise of young performers from all over Wales.

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Shining a light on Mental Health in Performance during Mental Health Awareness Week 2023.

Many young performers can find they struggle with performance anxiety, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme this year is Anxiety, we wanted to share our favourite factsheets to help you perform with confidence, and resources to direct you to the right support.

 

Many young performers can find they struggle with performance anxiety, particularly since the Covid-19 pandemic. As it’s Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme this year is Anxiety, we wanted to share our favourite factsheets to help you perform with confidence, and resources to direct you to the right support.

Since Covid, there has been a rise in anxiety in general and as a creative organisation, we encourage our members to speak up and welcome the conversation around mental wellbeing,

“Being a member of NYAW was really valuable to my mental health over lockdown… Returning to an in-person residency in 2022 was an incredible experience, which definitely helped me regain a lot of the confidence that I had lost over lockdown.”
— A NYAW Residency Member.

What is performance anxiety? What are the symptoms?

As described by Mind UK (2021) "Anxiety is what we feel when we are worried, tense or afraid – particularly about things that are about to happen, or which we think could happen in the future. Anxiety is a natural human response when we feel that we are under threat. It can be experienced through our thoughts, feelings and physical sensations." This can result in stage fright, panic attacks, disorientation, among other symptoms.

What advice would you give someone who feels anxious about performing?

Some members found that yoga, being a meditative practice, helped them with their performance anxiety. Decompress, destress, and take a moment to look after your physical and mental wellbeing with a series of instructional yoga and meditation sessions from us here at National Youth Arts Wales, led by NYDW resident yoga tutor Jessica Jones.

Watch here.

What are NYAW doing to help?

NYAW takes members and staff wellbeing and mental health seriously. During residencies, NYAW has welfare staff with experience of performing on board. Alongside this, during residencies we hold yoga classes for members to attend making healthy practice part of residencies.

Helpful Resources:

Musicians Union

Managing Performance Anxiety

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

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