National Youth Arts Wales boosts its commitment to supporting Deaf and disabled young performers.

The National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) staff team kicked off 2024 with a renewed approach to supporting Deaf and disabled young performers throughout Wales. Over four days, the whole staff team worked with inclusive arts specialists Taking Flight to develop their ability to support, connect and engage with Deaf and disabled young people. The training aimed to enable those across the organisation to provide a much higher level of bespoke support to each individual young performer, and ensure that NYAW’s ensembles and projects can be welcoming to all young people.

The series of innovative and interactive workshops enabled staff members to increase their understanding of inclusivity and access through hands-on training, supported by a fantastic team of Taking Flight facilitators with lived experience of disability. Specialisms such as blind awareness, Deaf awareness and sector-specific equality training were covered in detail, leading to thought-provoking discussions as a starting point for ongoing and embedded change.

Following the training, Evan Dawson, Chief Executive of NYAW said: “At National Youth Arts Wales, we know that creativity and cultural participation are vital ingredients of a healthy, happy and connected life. Every young person in Wales should have the opportunity to explore their own artistic potential. Talent does not discriminate - so this opportunity to work in-depth with Taking Flight has helped us understand the main barriers for young Deaf and disabled people to engage with us. We will continue to do everything we can to make National Youth Arts Wales a welcoming, supportive and truly creative community for everyone. It’s really exciting.”

With 17% of NYAW ensemble members identifying as Deaf or disabled in 2023, staff members are looking forward to applying this training directly to their work across ensembles, projects and beyond. This includes projects such as the “Assemble” partnership programme with National Youth Theatre GB, which is designed to support Deaf and disabled young people through long-term interventions in non-mainstream schools.

Hope Dowsett, Participation and Learning Producer at NYAW said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to Taking Flight for running such a thought-provoking, insightful and interesting series of training sessions with us. Every staff member involved benefitted and improved their knowledge of working with disabled people, and we are now starting to apply this knowledge directly to our work. This will enable us to provide an even better experience to the amazing young people we work with each year.”

Steph Bailey-Scott, Participation, Access and Inclusion Officer at Taking Flight said: “It was an absolute pleasure to run our training sessions with the NYAW team, their passion for all things access and inclusion was so wonderful to see. I think this team are going to go very far, and I'm so excited for all the Deaf/ disabled and neurodivergent young people who will be involved in all their upcoming projects.”

NYAW will continue to review and renew its training provision in this area, as part of our ongoing commitment to bring more artistic opportunities to more young people across Wales from the widest range of backgrounds.

If you or your organisation could benefit from receiving disability awareness training from Taking Flight, please contact steph@takingflighttheatre.co.uk.

A new national collaboration to strengthen youth dance in Wales

Three leading dance organisations have marked a significant milestone in Welsh arts through the signing of a memorandum of understanding, in a bid to support the growth of dance in Wales.

National Youth Arts Wales, National Dance Company Wales, and Ballet Cymru have joined forces to enable strengthened youth dance engagement and participation across the country.

Representing a united effort, this strategic alliance will establish a comprehensive framework for youth dance provision across the nation. By combining their resources and expertise, the organisations will create a robust and inclusive infrastructure nurturing the growth of youth dance in Wales.

This will ensure that every aspect of their offerings focuses on accessibility, inclusion, quality, and further developmental and performance opportunities. This, in turn, positions youth dance as an integral component of Wales' cultural identity.

The signing of the memorandum of understanding marks a pivotal moment in the collaborative journey to support and strengthen the dance landscape in Wales. With a shared commitment to nurturing talent and fostering inclusivity, the alliance will lay the groundwork for sustainable growth and innovation in youth dance initiatives across the country.

National Youth Arts Wales Chief Executive, Evan Dawson said: “At National Youth Arts Wales, we are very excited about having an even closer relationship with Ballet Cymru and National Dance Company Wales.

“Working together and with the wider dance sector, we want to provide creative and world-leading opportunities for young dancers and choreographers. It’s a very challenging time for everyone working in the arts at the moment, but we are confident that this new strategic collaboration will help the next generation of dancers make the most of the resources we have whilst also supporting grassroots dance organisations throughout Wales.”

National Youth Dance Wales Producer, Jamie Jenkins said: "This new partnership will play a vital role in helping to shape the future of youth dance across Wales whilst at the same time supporting and celebrating already established youth dance provision.  NDCWales, Ballet Cymru and National Youth Arts Wales working closer together is a step in a positive direction."

NDCWales Artistic Director, Matthew Robinson said: “National Dance Company Wales seeks to inspire and propel the development of the artists of tomorrow through the work we do on and off stages. As we embark on this strategic collaboration with National Youth Arts Wales and Ballet Cymru our collective ambition for young people fills me with optimism for the future. We look forward to working with the incredible independent artists, teachers and organisations of Wales to ensure our interconnected work has the greatest impact for young people. A great artist can come from anywhere, and we are committed together to enabling young artists, wherever they may be in Wales, to shape the future of dance.”

Ballet Cymru Artistic Director, Darius James OBE and Assistant Artistic Director, Amy Doughty said: “Ballet Cymru is a national ballet company for Wales that challenges traditional boundaries and expectations. We are delighted to be working closely with National Youth Dance Wales and National Dance Company Wales to strategically forge new opportunities to inspire and support our next generation of dancers. This national collaborative effort to elevate dance, increase inclusion, and deliver more access for young dancers throughout Wales, is hugely exciting”

Laura Drane from Arts Council Wales said: “These plans to strengthen participation and access for youth dance are warmly welcomed. It is exciting to hear how the three national organisations plan to collaborate and share resources, bringing together their years of expertise. This partnership will help to develop the sector and impact the artistic journeys of young people of Wales."

Theatr Clwyd and National Youth Theatre of Wales offering Professional Pathways for young people across Wales this summer

Theatr Clwyd and National Youth Theatre of Wales have been working together for 6 years providing unique opportunities for young people across Wales and this year will be no exception.

This summer they will host their 2024 Professional Pathways Residency Programme at Theatr Clwyd. Professional Pathways is open to 16–22-year-olds, who want to gain performance skills and learn about the theatre industry including backstage roles. During the 3-day residency at Theatr Clwyd (28 June-1 July), 50 young people will go behind the scenes on the venue’s summer production of Rope by Patrick Hamilton. They will work with the professional creative teams on the show and see first-hand how it is made. There will also beworkshops on performance and audition skills, and an introduction to backstage including set and costume design, lighting and sound design and stage management. The residency will be bi-lingual and encourages anyone to apply who has an interest in theatre.

Evan Dawson, CEO of National Youth Arts Wales said: “Wales has such an exciting theatrical tradition, but it’s difficult for young people to understand the wide range of different on-stage and backstage careers they could follow. This partnership of National Youth Theatre Wales with Theatr Clwyd is a wonderful opportunity to inspire, support and connect our next generation of actors, stage managers, lighting designers, sound engineers, costume-makers, producers and more!”

Already this year National Youth Theatre Wales and Theatr Clwyd have gone into 8 schools across North and South Wales delivering workshops to give an insight into what to expect at the auditions and the Professional Pathways residency.

 Previous residency participants have said: “Professional Pathways is called that for a reason, you really do get taught by, and treated as a professional. You get taught the skills that you definitely will need to move forward within the arts.”

“There are so many different things I’ve learnt and I’ve realised that it isn't just a narrow one-way into the industry there's so many different paths and different journeys that people are on here”

(Professional Pathways Easter Residency 2023 at Wales Millennium Centre)

Gwennan Mair, Communities, Wellbeing and Education Director at Theatr Clwyd said of the partnership: “We are delighted to continue to grow opportunities for young people all over Wales with National Youth Theatre Wales. Together we will strive to open the opportunities to all parts of Wales and to ensure we grow all elements of theatre making!”

Bookings for the audition workshops for the residency and other NYTW member opportunities are open until February 27 with auditions taking place across Wales from 9 March – 25 March in multiple locations with an option for online sessions via zoom. For more information on how to apply and what to expect from the audition workshop visit: https://www.nyaw.org.uk/auditions

Members of National Youth Brass Band of Wales selected to represent Europe

National Youth Arts Wales is delighted to announce that three senior members of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales (NYBBW) have been selected to represent Wales in the annual European Youth Brass Band (EYBB) this year.  

Alice Tracey, Erin Maloney, and Patrick Miller (who have been members of the NYBBW since 2019) will be traveling to Palanga, Lithuania at the end of April. In addition to representing NYBBW, Alice and Patrick will also be representing Llwyncoed Brass Band and Erin representing Flowers Band.  

During the international residency, Alice, Erin and Patrick will collaborate with some of the best young brass band musicians from throughout Europe under the leadership of Philip Harper (former NYBBW conductor and Musical Director of the world-famous Cory Band).  

Their time with the European Youth Brass Band will conclude with a series of concerts taking place during the first week of May. The European Brass Band contest will also be held during that week, providing bands from throughout the continent an opportunity to compete for one of the most prestigious awards in the Brass Band calendar.  

Commenting on their success, NYBBW Senior Producer Matthew Jones said “Erin, Alice, and Patrick are long-standing, senior members of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales and are all excellent musicians. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to work with top brass band musicians from across Europe, and I do not doubt that they will have a great time while making Wales proud”. 

Alice Tracey, one of the three selected members said: “I am so grateful for such a fantastic opportunity and I’m really excited to meet and play alongside musicians from across Europe”.  

The EYBB has operated since the early 2000s. It is a great opportunity for talented young brass players across Europe to play and develop together at a continental level for one week. They will perform as a full brass band on various occasions during the European Brass Band Championships 2024, including the European Composer Competition concert, Opening Ceremony, and the Grand Gala Concert. 

This year's National Youth Brass Band of Wales programme will soon begin with live rehearsals in mid-March before an 11-day residency and performance tour with venues across Bangor, Carmarthen and Swansea. For more information, visit NYAW’s website. 

2023 Wrapped

As we approach the end of 2023, and we bid adieu to the final notes and dance steps of this extraordinary season, we wanted to reflect on our work this year, filled with creativity, community, and countless moments of inspiration.

From Bangor to Cardiff, Lampeter to Newport, this summer we embarked far and wide, hosting a total of 9 residencies in 4 locations across Wales. Partnering with other creative organisations including Ballet Cymru, Theatr Clwyd and BBC NOW, we proudly performed in 18 public events, showcasing the incredible talents and creativity of the 282 young people who are NYAW members. In total, we provided high-quality training experiences for 959 young people in 2023.

“After being a member of NYCW I am like a new person… all in all, I am a FAR better musician than what I would have been without NYCW” - NYCW 2023 Member

“NYTW has served as a great buffer for me as someone who aged out of youth theatre at home and as someone who wasn't going to university…NYTW was always there for me.” - NYTW 2023 Member

"Being part of National Youth Dance Wales has helped reignite my love for dance” - NYDW 2023 Member

Kickstarting in July with performances from National Youth Brass Band of Wales, right through to National Youth Dance Wales closing our 2024 performances with style in Newport, we’ve truly left a mark on the Welsh arts scene this year. With a whopping total of 70,000+ audience members supporting our work. We also saw a record-breaking turnout for our National Youth Theatre of Wales’s innovative, bilingual and critically acclaimed production of Dan Y Wenallt/Under Milk Wood, with over 800 people seeing the performance. November also saw an additional side-by-side concert between the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, in Cardiff Bay.

In his Dan Y Wenallt/Under Milk Wood review for Barn Magazine, Gruffudd Owen said: "This is the most natural, purposeful and effective use of bilingualism I have ever seen on stage…The production was also a sign of what theatre in Wales can be."

Commenting on our NYDW ‘Twenty Tales’ performance, performed as a triple bill event alongside Ballet Cymru and Marcat Dance, singer-songwriter Cerys Matthews said via X: "It was terrific - Music choice, movement, design, costumes and choreography and overall unity. Utterly bewitching".

This summer we awarded £71,404 in bursaries towards fees, supporting 54% of our members. This record-breaking amount, coupled with additional travel expenses for members, reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive environment and breaking down barriers to entry for our members. 

Commenting on the success of the year, our Chairman, David Jackson said: “As 2023 draws to a close, and we ready ourselves for another year, I’d like to congratulate the team at the heart of National Youth Arts Wales on the impressive focus they continue to maintain on the benefits of arts participation and high-level training for the young people of Wales. Thanks to them we have the vision, and a credible plan, to tackle under-representation in the workforce in the cultural sector of Wales, and to support pathways into that sector that benefit the wider arts scene nationally. I’d also like to express thanks to my fellow Trustees for all their hard work and commitment. I’d like to think the future looks bright for NYAW and the young people of Wales. Nadolig Llawen a Blwyddyn Newydd Dda i bawb”.

As we bid farewell to this extraordinary year, we extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who contributed to making it a resounding success. The artists, the audiences, the communities – your enthusiasm and support have propelled us to new heights, and we can't wait to continue this journey together in 2024.

We’d also like to say a massive thank you to our funders that have made our work possible in 2023: Arts Council of Wales, Welsh Local Government Association and the National Music Service for Wales, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Leverhulme Trust, Welsh Government via Creative Wales, Colwinston Charitable Trust, Moondance Foundation, Neil & Mary Webber Bursary Fund, Friends of National Youth Orchestra of Wales, The Bluefields Trust and Arts & Business Cymru.

Do you want to be a part of our 2024 journey? Could you be the future of Welsh arts? Applications for our National Youth Dance Wales are now open you can apply here.

New partnership aims to create bright future for young orchestral musicians in Wales

A renewed partnership has been announced between BBC National Orchestra of Wales (BBC NOW) and National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) to provide orchestral and choral opportunities and professional career pathways for young people throughout Wales.

The initiative was announced during a joint “side by side” concert by the two orchestras at the BBC’s Hoddinott Hall in late November. Together, they have committed to empowering aspiring professional musicians across Wales by supporting performance skills and nurturing their professional growth through orchestral performance opportunities. They will also work in partnership with National Music Service Wales, supporting the National Plan for Music Education.

Young musicians at the start of their careers will benefit from a vibrant blend of developmental opportunities including side by side concerts with professional BBC musicians, choral singing performances, mentoring and workshop sessions, the commissioning of new music, and projects with musicians and composers that work outside the traditional classical music sector.

BBC NOW and NYAW have successfully worked together since 2001, running side by side concerts for young musicians who gain insights and experience by performing with professional players. These concerts have given generations of young musicians the confidence to pursue professional careers, and this new commitment seeks to create a dynamic platform for young people by offering them a unique chance to refine their craft and showcase their talents on a broader stage.

Founded in 2017, NYAW seeks to develop creative pathways for young people across Wales. It unites and leads the development of Wales’s five prestigious and long-established national youth ensembles comprising the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, National Youth Choir of Wales, National Youth Dance Wales, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and National Youth Theatre of Wales. Founded in 1945, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales was the world’s first ever youth orchestra, and has been performing regularly ever since.

Evan Dawson, Chief Executive of NYAW said: “This partnership with the BBC National Orchestra of Wales will be of huge benefit to the young musicians of the National Youth Orchestra of Wales. As well as performing fantastic music of the very highest quality, they will get to work intensively to a professional schedule and learn directly from the BBC musicians with whom they are placed. It will give them an insight into an orchestral world in which they might see their own futures, nurturing our next generation of Welsh musicians. We all look forward to working with the wonderful team at BBC NOW over the years ahead to develop creative opportunities for young people throughout Wales.”

Lisa Tregale, Director of BBC National Orchestra and Chorus of Wales said: “At BBC NOW, we believe that music and music making is for everyone, so we positively welcome this opportunity to collaborate with NYAW even more closely to help inspire young musicians, singers and composers across Wales. Everyone at BBC NOW is looking forward to building on the work that we have done with NYAW over the years, and together we aim to develop even more creative, fun and inclusive schemes that will benefit young musicians everywhere.”

Mari Lloyd Pritchard, Co-ordinator of the National Music Service for Wales, said: “Working in partnership is at the heart of the National Music Service as we strive together to develop as many opportunities as possible for children and young people to develop their playing and access career pathways. We are delighted to see this new and exciting collaboration.”

Showcasing the next generation of Welsh dance

As part of this year’s National Youth Dance Wales (NYDW) intensive summer residency, twenty of Wales’s most talented young dancers came together in Cardiff to learn from a team of highly acclaimed choreographers and dance artists. For the first time, they worked with Artistic Director and Choreographer of Marcat Dance, Mario Bermúdez, to create a brand new work exploring themes of tribal movement, textures and relationships during their two-week residency.

"Being part of National Youth Dance Wales has helped reignite my love for dance, and this experience has inspired me and has made me see possible routes there are for me with contemporary dance" – NYDW 2023 Member

The resulting new work entitled ‘Twenty Tales’ was performed by the NYDW company of 2023, receiving its world premiere at The Riverfront, Newport, on the 3rd and 4th of November. The work was one of three works performed each evening, with performances by Ballet Cymru Artistic Director, Darius James and choreographer, Marcus Jarrell Willis performed by dance company Ballet Cymru. The evening was also accompanied with a live musical performance by Welsh singer and songwriter, Cerys Matthews.

"It was terrific - Music choice, movement, design, costumes and choreography and over all unity. Utterly bewitching" - Cerys Matthews (via X)

"Stunning choreography, communal movement, costumes and expression NYDW are incredible” - ‘Twenty Tales’ Audience Member

Jamie Jenkins, Producer of National Youth Dance Wales, said: "I am immensely proud of the members National Youth Dance Wales, whose exceptional hard work and unwavering passion for dance was evident in their outstanding performances of 'Twenty Tales'. They are a testament to the remarkable talent that young dancers in Wales have, supported by dance tutor, leaders and communities".

Did you miss this year’s National Youth Dance Wales performance? No need to worry, you can watch view this year’s spellbinding performance of ‘Twenty Tales’ here.

But that’s not all NYDW achieved this year. In July, NYDW members, Isaac and Layla, choreographed and performed their own duet as part of the prestigious U.Dance National Festival in Newcastle, representing Wales on the Northern stage and captivating audiences from across the UK. Isaac has also recently been appointed to the Board of Trustees for National Youth Arts Wales.

Working with alumni, Daisy Belle Howell, NYDW members created two stunning pieces both performed, and filmed from various locations around Cardiff. You can watch both performances here. Since becoming a member of NYDW, Daisy has gone on to work as a professional dancer and choreographer in Wales and beyond and is the co-director of Manchester based performance and events company, Night People.

NYDW also entered its third year of partnership with Celtic Creative, an exchange programme with the National Youth Dance Company of Scotland that gives young performers in both countries the opportunity to learn from each other and from different professional artists.

2023 has been a busy and highly successful year for NYDW, but 2024 is looking even better. Soon, the team will be starting the 2024 audition tour in Swansea, before travelling to towns and cities the length and breadth of Wales throughout February, looking for the best dance talent Wales has to offer.

Are you the future of Welsh dance? Applications to be a NYDW 2024 member are now open! Apply today via the NYAW Auditions page.

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

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.”

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

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.

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. 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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.

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

National Youth Theatre of Wales' Launch Professional Pathways 2023 Programme

This month, we’re looking back on the launch of our National Youth Theatre of Wales Professional Pathways Programme 2023, run in partnership with our long-term collaborators Theatr Clwyd.  

Photos by Kirsten McTernan Photography

In April, 53 of our National Youth Theatre of Wales 2023 members took part in a three-day residential course in Cardiff (supported by Wales Millennium Centre) as the first stage of this ever-growing membership offer from NYTW. Designed to broaden skills and awareness of career pathways within theatre,film and the digital realm, the group came together to learn about immersive storytelling in all its forms. 

“The tutors were very friendly, and the residency has helped me toward my future work in theatre by advancing my skills.”

— A NYTW Professional Pathways Member

With funding from Welsh Government via Creative Wales, we’ve expanded our Professional Pathways offer this year to include specific skills training around digital and screen work including workshops by innovators Darkfield Studios, and practical sessions on self-tape auditions for screen and stage with screen actor and facilitator Dean Fagan. 

Photos by Kirsten McTernan Photography

What has been your highlight from the residency? 

“It’s all been really fantastic. We’ve met so many people and different creatives from all sorts of mediums.”

— A NYTW Professional Pathways Member

“I loved the new perspective it gave me.”

— A NYTW Professional Pathways Member

Workshops during the residency were delivered by a wide variety of artists and companies with a focus on the art of immersive storytelling. These included sessions with Amie Burns Walker and the upcoming site-specific production at Theatr Clwyd of The Great Gatsby, movement and performance skills with the team from Theatr Clwyd  along with an insight into how WMC are leading the way in digital immersive performance in Wales. 

Thank you to all members and staff who took part in another successful residency. We look forward to welcoming you back next year! 

What’s Next? 

The next stages of the Professional Pathways Membership programme will include our ever-popular Play Reading Club (with the Welsh language curation supported by Theatr Genedlaethol Cymru and writer Rebecca Jade Hammond curating the English language program of work) along with a variety of backstage and theatre making workshops in North and South Wales linked to productions from across Wales in Welsh and English supported by RWCMD and Theatr Clwyd. 

If you are a producer, venue or theatre company involved in theatre in anyway and wish to open your performances to our cohort please get in touch with NYTW. 

For more information please sign up to our mailing list or email nyaw@nyaw.org.uk 

National Youth Arts Wales partners with Wales Millennium Centre to deliver Hard Côr

Hard Côr is a vocal collective for young people, bringing those aged 16–25 who live in Cardiff together to sing, rap, beatbox and create music.

The group are influenced by a range of contemporary styles, including hip-hop, grime, rap and RnB, and celebrate Wales’s increasingly innovative music scene.

The group’s purpose is to broaden opportunities for young and talented Welsh music makers who wish to sing and vocalise in non-traditional styles at the highest level, enabling them to work with some of the country’s most impressive musical practitioners.

“It felt like another family and community full of diversity.”

— Hard Côr participant, 2022

Video courtesy of Wales Millennium Centre.

Three facilitators who specialise in different areas led and supported this first project. They were:

Dionne Bennett – soul singer (singing)

Tumi Williams – MC, lyricist and Creative Associate at Wales Millennium Centre (mcing)

Matthew Hann – beatboxer and arts facilitator (beatboxing)

For more information please sign up to our mailing list or email nyaw@nyaw.org.uk or education@wmc.org.uk. Hard Côr is a joint project between Wales Millennium Centre and National Youth Arts Wales.

National Youth Arts Wales expands creative talent development projects with funding via Creative Wales

NYAW has been awarded funding – over £45,000 – from Welsh Government via Creative Wales to help develop Wales’s creative talent in the film, TV, commercial music, and digital sectors.

Launched in September of last year, the Creative Skills Sector Fund was created with the intention of supporting projects that can deliver against one or more of the ten identified priorities within the three-year industry led Creative Skills Action Plan.

The Action Plan seeks to address the skills needs of the three priority sectors: music, digital content, and screen in the short term, as well as considering the long-term needs which will ensure Wales continues to have a thriving creative sector.

Earlier this month, Dawn Bowden MS, Deputy Minister for Arts and Sport, announced that over £1.5m is to be shared between 17 projects across the creative industries, she said:

“The purpose of this fund is to continue to support strategic skills partnerships across Wales and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to award the funding to collaborative projects which will provide excellent opportunities for those working in the sector or seeking to work in the sector from all backgrounds.” You can read the written statement in full here.

As recipients of the fund, NYAW will use this to expand two of its projects for young people – Professional Pathways and Music Futures.

Professional Pathways

Our Professional Pathways programme is a career development scheme for young talented drama performers, delivered in partnership with Theatr Clwyd and Wales Millennium Centre. In spring 2023, 45 young people aged 16-22 will take part in an intensive residential training programme, giving them a first-hand insight into the range of transferable skills in the theatre, screen, and digital sectors.

Each residential weekend or training day focuses on specific skills including performance technique, set, costume and lighting design, script writing, accessibility within performance and marketing and programming drama. Read more on this project here.

Using the funding from Creative Wales, our Professional Pathways programme will offer expanded access to film and TV workshops and how these practices relate to the digital sector, acting for green screen, voice training for screen, podcasts and voiceover work, and plenty more besides.

Music Futures

Elsewhere, the funding will help continue Music Futures, our contemporary music project supporting young musicians aged 16-18 to make their mark on the current Welsh music scene across a wide range of genres –from Grime to Indie, Electronica to RnB.


First developed in 2019, the project supports music makers with potential to develop and grow as artists, developing their songwriting, self-management, and musicianship skills in a safe and supportive environment. It offers an authentic industry experience, and a glimpse into a working musician’s career, taking participants through the full life cycle of songwriting – including composition and recording, performance, touring, and promotion.

As part of our ongoing commitment to nurture diverse talent, at least 25% of participants will come from a global majority background, and at least 15% of the 70 beneficiaries will be living with a disability, helping foster a more diverse and inclusive Welsh music industry.

Alongside this we’ll be hiring a new Trainee Producer specific to the Music Futures project, with recruitment beginning in March 2023, and working with Future Mentors again to help facilitate the programme and offer participants the best possible access and knowledge to the contemporary music sector in Wales.

Previous mentors have included Kizzy Crawford, Heledd Watkins (HMS Morris) and Tumi Williams (Afrocluster, Skunkadelic) to name just a few. We look forward to developing our projects further over the coming months and into the summer residency period.