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
Naomi Reilly Robinson | Young Musicians Development Lead
Nathan Shipley | Lead Chaperone
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 five 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 four or more classes below, whereas those on our Beginner Programme study small group tuition and musicianship / music theory.
| 9:00am – 9:30am Senior Keyboard Skills class |
Our Senior Students are welcome to learn more about basic keyboard skills and how that ties into harmony and musicianship |
| 9:30am – 9:45am Wake Up and Shake Up |
Students and tutors come together to create music, play short exercises and games, to support creative musical learning. |
| 9:45am – 10:30am Sectional |
Students play together in their orchestral sections. All strings play together, and all winds and brass play together. |
| 10:30am – 11:15am Ensemble Rehearsal |
All instruments play together in an orchestral rehearsal led by our friendly team of tutors. |
| 11:30am – 12:15pm Instrumental Group Lesson |
Led by a specialist tutor on your instrument, students will continue their learning and develop further skills on their instrument in a small group lesson. |
| 12:15pm – 1:00pm Musicianship |
Our friendly musicianship tutor, takes all our students through our specially designed musicianship curriculum. Students develop their understanding of music in both practical and theory-based sessions. |
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
Benefits to attending Young Musicians Studio
- A complete package of music education in one day
- Friendly small group lessons (up to 4 students of a similar standard per group), make learning music financially accessible
- Private lessons for students Grade 6+ available pending timetable availability
- Play with an orchestra and have a dedicated instrument family sectional every single week
- Learn musicianship skills in a friendly and fun environment
- Holistic music education
- Termly performance opportunities in wonderful venues including in the Howard Assembly Room
- Have the opportunity to prepare for your Opera North Youth Orchestra auditions with our specialist team of tutors
- Everyone from beginner – to advanced welcome!
- ABRSM face to face exam opportunity yearly onsite and video exams available upon request
- Regular support from our Opera North tutor team, management team and chaperone team
- All YMS activity included for £400 per term. Full and partial bursaries are available
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.
