Young Musicians Studio
Register an interestOur Young Musicians Studio provides young musicians in Leeds with opportunities to progress their classical music making.
Established in November 2022, the Young Musicians Studio is part of the Opera North Instrumental Learning Pathway. Originally designed as a progression route from In Harmony Opera North primary schools, students who are keen to develop their musical skills and creativity further can join us on a Saturday morning for specialist training. We currently run a full Young Musicians Studio Programme throughout the year, as well as a Beginner Programme on selected instruments.
“My Young Musicians Studio highlight is learning new things with my teachers”
– violin student (Year 5)
We offer tuition on the following instruments:
- Brass: trumpet, trombone, french horn
- Strings: violin, viola, cello, double bass
- Woodwinds: flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon
Times
Every Saturday morning during term time
Who is it for?
Students in Year 5+ (Full Young Musicians Studio Programme)
Students in Year 6+ (Beginner Programme)
Any questions?
Please contact yms@operanorth.co.uk
The YMS Team
Sarah Holloway Lloyd | Young Musicians Development Lead
Emma Whisker | Young Musicians Progression Manager
Frequently asked questions
- Fees and bursaries
- What does a typical Saturday session look like?
- Where does it take place?
- Who is the Young Musicians Studio Programme for?
- Who is the Beginner Programme for?
- How can I sign up?
- Are musical instruments provided?
The fee to take part in the full Young Musicians Studio Programme is £400 per term and for the Beginner programme, it is £200 per term. There are 3 terms in each academic year. This fee covers the cost of small group tuition, ensemble playing, musicianship, 1 ABRSM exam each academic year, a theory book and music to support instrumental lessons. We can sometimes provide loan of an instrument.
We do not want the cost to be a barrier for anyone to take part and are able to offer bursaries. To find out more, please email yms@operanorth.co.uk.
A typical Young Musicians Studio Saturday session includes two to four distinct classes that complement each other and work together to ensure students develop musical skills in a well-rounded way. Students on the full Young Musicians Studio Programme study all four classes below, whereas those on our Beginner Programme study small group tuition and musicianship/music theory.
- Small Group Tuition: Students develop the technical and artistic skills required to play their musical instrument in small, ability matched groups, with a maximum 4 pupils per group. Many students work towards taking recognised ABRSM music exams during their instrumental lesson, and there are also opportunities to perform at our weekly informal concerts, more formal end of year concerts, and participate in local music festivals.
- Musicianship/Music Theory: Students develop a broad knowledge of music and skills to enhance their musical ability, such as music reading and writing, ear training and listening, singing, and musical history awareness.
- Sectional Ensemble Sessions & Full Ensemble Session: Students perform as part of a large ensemble and also work in their sectional groups, depending on their instrument family, such as Woodwind, Brass and Strings. Ensemble sessions are only included as part of our full Young Musicians Programme, and not in the Beginner Woodwind Programme.
Below are two examples of how the Saturday schedule might look like.
Example timetable – Full Young Musicians Studio Programme:
| 9.30 – 10.15 | 10.25 – 11.10 | 11.00 – 11.30 | 11.30 – 12.15 | 12.15 – 13.00 |
| Sectional rehearsal | Full ensemble | Break and informal concert | Small group instrumental lesson | Musicianship/Theory session |
Example timetable – Beginner Programme (brass, woodwind, double bass)*:
| 9.30 – 10.15 | 10.15 – 11.00 |
| Instrumental lesson | Musicianship/Theory session OR join in with the In Harmony Saturday choir |
* Students on the Beginner Programme have a reduced timetable, so finish at 11am.
Sessions take place on Saturday morning at Trinity Academy Leeds, Torre Road, Leeds, LS9 7QL.
We also offer performance opportunities around Leeds throughout the year.
The Young Musicians Studio welcomes young people in Year 5 and above from across Leeds and the region who already have at least two years experience learning on their instrument.
The Beginner Programme is open to any young person in Year 6 and above from across Leeds and the region who would be interested in learning how to play the flute, oboe, clarinet or bassoon, trumpet, trombone or double bass.
You can register an interest to join the Young Musicians Studio by clicking on the ‘Register an interest’ button at the top of this page. For more information, you can email yms@operanorth.co.uk
We might be able to provide instruments on loan according to availability. To find out more, email yms@operanorth.co.uk
Opera North Young Musicians Studio has been designed to continue the brilliant work of the In Harmony Opera North team. In Harmony is a national programme that aims to inspire and transform the lives of children in deprived communities, using the power and disciplines of ensemble music-making. We have taken these principles and created a progression route that allows for further development beyond the in-school setting.
Supporters
Opera North Young Musicians Studio is supported by a generous grant from the Leverhulme Trust for Arts Scholarships.
