AYM Alumni
Calling all former Award winners! Since AYM started in 1998 we’ve supported hundreds of talented young musicians from throughout the UK; we’re really keen to re-connect with as many of our former Award winners as possible. Where has your musical journey taken you? Maybe you’re performing professionally, perhaps you’re involved in the music industry in other ways – or are you continuing to make music alongside life in another profession? Whatever your story we would love to hear from you!
BUT we don’t just want to find out about what you’re up to! We’d also be delighted if you’re prepared to be considered as a performer at one of our fund-raising events. Or perhaps you could help provide some mentoring support for one of the young people we’re currently helping?
Just get in touch to find out more: please contact Hannah Turner
AYM Alumni are really keen to stay involved…
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Duncan Ward, 23, mentoring
AYM Patron, Duncan is a composer, conductor and pianist with considerable insight and talent. In his early years AYM gave him a French horn to help him with his studies. Duncan is now Dirigent Academist at the Berlin Philharmonic under Sir Simon Rattle, also an AYM Patron. -
Lewis Anderson, 21, mentoring
Lewis won a full scholarship in 2009 when AYM helped purchase his clarinet, something that had a major impact on his musical future. He recently worked with us on the annual Awards day as a coach and ensemble player. -
Lindsey James, 19, mentoring
Lindsey has kept in close touch with us since she turned 18. She came back to help mentor young cello players as part of the first AYM ECO collaborative ensemble With Strings Attached at Cadogan Hall. -
Jenni 19
Birmingham University’s music department was lucky to have a very talented young clarinetist join them - with help from an AYM grant
Duncan Ward, 23, mentoring
“Once I got onto specialist music instruction at Junior Trinity on Saturday, paying to be in the National Youth Orchestra, paying for better instruments and then a whole host of other opportunities I was offered, it’s really down to AYM or generous individuals that I was able to do it.”
“Well, it’s just a thrill to have quickly changed around from being a beneficiary to being able to give something back. I wouldn’t be able to be where I am or follow my musical dreams were it not for charities like AYM. It’s so important for young musicians who don’t have the means to be given those chances. It’s a privilege and a thrill. It’s really exciting. In terms of what I can give… hopefully as much as possible. I’d be thrilled to come and work with today’s AYM Award winners as conductor or composer or leader. Also, for any of the musicians who are budding conductors. If they would like to come and watch some of my professional work with an ensemble in progress, I’d be thrilled to talk to them and engage with them.”
Lewis Anderson, 21, mentoring
I am now a student at the Royal College of Music (RCM) in my final year of a BMus degree. I have been mentored by Richard Hosford, principal clarinet at the BBC Symphony Orchestra, who is quite possibly the best, if the most severe, teacher I have ever had.
My most prominent performance so far was with the RCM Philharmonic Orchestra in which I played first clarinet in Tchaikovsky’s 5th Symphony: and the clarinet was paid for by AYM. I was really pleased to give back to Award winners at the last annual day where I helped with the masterclasses and coached young clarinettists. I was also part of the ensemble which played at the Awards ceremony.
Lindsey James, 19, mentoring
Now in her second year at Kings College London, reading for her Music Degree, Lindsey first received funding from AYM at a crucial point in her musical studies.
“I still have to pinch myself because three or four years ago, as ‘a Yorkshire lass, born and bred’ I would never have dreamt that I would be living in the heart of London, studying music at such a prestigious institution, having strong links with the Royal Academy of Music.
I have often drawn upon my AYM experiences to overcome periods of anxiety or self doubt…and I would urge any aspiring young musician to embrace the opportunities that AYM continue to offer.”
Jenni 19
Raising the money for a brand new Buffet R13 Prestige was no easy task, but after receiving a grant from AYM for £400 towards the purchase of her new clarinet, eighteen-year-old Jenni, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire she managed to raise the rest of the money.
Jenni then achieved the grades she needed to take up a place at Birmingham University, where she is now reading Music – with her new clarinet!