Who we help - some examples…
Future Talent - Daniel
This year we are delighted to be supporting Daniel through Future Talent...
Daniel is 10 years old and from Surrey. He has been learning piano for just over 4 years and takes on numerous different musical opportunities. Daniel’s teacher had this to say in his reference:
“Daniel is a very gifted young musician. He picks up new techniques very quickly and learns how to apply them with ease. He works very hard, and I look forward to seeing what he’ll achieve in the near future.”
As well as piano lessons, he performs in the school orchestra and choirs, and also a community choir. During the pandemic he continued to engage in virtual opportunities, successfully entering his grade 2 piano and taking part in the Benedetti Foundation Christmas Concert. He has expressed aspiration to take his grade 5 practical and theory exams.
AYM - Noah
In 2021-22 The Cheryl King Trust Award has been given to Noah (pictured here) and Sophia aged 14 playing the piano and viola. We are very much looking forward to hearing how they have got on at the end of the award year.
16 year old Noah from Surrey began playing the French horn when he was 7 years old. As he says:
“I went to a ‘Come and Play day’ run by Kingston Music Service. I tried so many instruments! After a while I had narrowed it down to the French horn or the cello. I picked the horn and started lessons with the local music service.”
Surrey Arts
This year the Trust is currently supporting 18 students across a number of schools in Surrey.
“I play the violin and drums and I want to be an electronic musician when I grow up. Thank you so much! The grant really helps me in lots of ways. Longer lessons: Longer lessons help me engage more with the piece I'm currently working on and to learn faster. Attending an orchestra: Orchestras help me musically socialise with other musicians and to get used to playing in front of others.
"Thank you so much for my grant. It really means a lot to me.”
Future Talent Musicians
One of our music partners is the organisation Future Talent, a wonderful legacy from the late Duchess of Kent which promotes “an equal reality where all gifted young musicians from low-income backgrounds flourish.” Through Future Talent, we have been supporting Ivan, a percussionist, for three years and are thrilled to see the wonderful progress he has made. We are also now funding Hawk, a young cellist who also plays piano and sings. We are excited to see how these two enthusiastic young musicians develop in future. See their profiles below for more information.
How we help with bursaries and inspirational performances…
Ivan
Ivan first fell in love with percussion and drums aged three at a street music festival in Hungary. He began formal percussion lessons at the age of 8 and joined the Junior Guildhall Music Programme just a year later. Now aged 12, he is also a secondary student at the Purcell School of Music and he recently became the first winner of the Guildhall Young Artists National Brass and Percussion Competition, winning first place in the under 14s percussion category. Ivan hopes to become a professional musician.
Hawk
Hawk is nine years old and is studying cello at Junior Trinity on the String Time programme. Hawk participated in the creative workshop at RAM with Future Talent last year and this year he has been an enthusiastic member of the National Youth String Orchestra. He sings in the Trinity Laban choir and plays piano (as well as enjoying swimming, Minecraft and visiting ships!)
Noah & Rhys
This year's AYM award has been given to Rhys aged 14 playing the guitar and to Noah aged 16 who plays the French horn. We are very much looking forward to hearing how they have got on at the end of the award year.
LAURYN - YOUNG SOUNDS AWARD
The latest recipient of our annual Young Sounds UK award is 16 year old Lauryn from Camberley. Lauryn is a very adventurous and ambitious musician. Principally a pianist, she has also explored other instruments, for example drums and guitar, so that she can better understand rhythm and how different sounds fit together.
She says, “I really love the piano, as it can do almost everything, from the bass line to the chords and the melody, which is not something every instrument can do. I love trying out different styles and ways to play. I’m influenced by artists like Alicia Keys, Lauryn Hill, J. Cole, and Etta James people whose music is unique and built on strong songwriting.”
One of Lauryn’s favourite experiences has been writing and recording a song at ACM through Surrey Arts. It gave her a taste of music production which has sparked ideas for her future career. She says:
“I’m focused on becoming a strong writer and producer so I can bring my ideas to life and collaborate with others on theirs. Music is something I take seriously, and I’m ready to push myself to keep growing.”