Youth Voice

At ArtsTrain, we champion opportunities for young people to get fully involved in our projects and events. From planning and co-producing our projects to giving feedback, evaluating and making suggestions for improvement, we encourage their input throughout their journey with ArtsTrain.

You can hear from some of our young people below, through the feedback they’ve given us, plus examples of their work including audioclips, videos and interviews. We think they’re amazing, we hope you agree…

“I’m grateful for having the opportunity to perform my own music. I could make music in my own room, but I wouldn’t be able to just go perform it. We have the opportunities to make our own music and also show it to other people which is a really special thing.”

~ Evie, 15

“I had gone through a lot I thought ‘how can I help myself?’ and music was it.”

~ Cara, 16

“I’ve honestly made so many friends, connected with so many people. It’s taught me a lot about the music industry – we actually went to a recording studio and our music is available on Soundcloud. It’s been the realest experience being up here (on stage) and makes us want to pursue careers in music.”

~ Callie, 14

“The community – we all come together and have fun. We’re all musicians, we understand each other, but of course thinking forward to the Jazz Festival performance, it’s something big. We’re surrounded by very nice, integral people.”

~ Gergo, 13

“I personally loved the sessions at Bromley Youth Music Trust where we came together as an Academy collective … It inspired ideas that you’d never usually find being in a different venue. I think when you’re only in one venue throughout the term, that creates a bit of a ‘feedback loop’ of just being ‘good’.”

~ Theo, 16

“Before joining ArtsTrain, I couldn’t play without sheet music, without being given a key, or I couldn’t improvise. And now I play by ear, and it encourages me to stop waiting for things to be taught to me and to try and figure it out myself.”

~ Firdaus, 15

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“ArtsTrain inspired me to find, embrace and express my creative self through music. Throughout my time in the Academy I gained valuable industry knowledge and performance skills, as well as self-confidence and a better understanding of my own creative identity.”

~ Anoushka, Alumni and Assistant Music Leader

“Before ArtsTrain, I had never played live or played in a band before. But now, I think I think my confidence has grown so much.”

~ Tegan, 15

“It’s nice to work with people who are better than me and who have a better skillset - you learn from other people.”

~ Mica, 14

 “I’m a lot more out of my shell now. When I was singing earlier everyone was having fun, everyone was vibing. It was really joyful.”  

~ Isabella, 13

“I have recently become a mentor for young people, teaching them about the art of music and songwriting, which is very enjoyable. Seeing how much they improve and how confident they become after just a few days is always emotional and rewarding.”

~ Dan, Alumni and Assistant Music Leader