Young musicians and actors in Leicester build confidence and creativity through Guildhall Young Artists residency.

Thursday, May 28, 2026

Guildhall Young Artists (GYA), the youth division of London's Guildhall School of Music & Drama, brought its specialist performing arts training to Leicester over the May bank holiday weekend.

We have received the following press release;

Young musicians and actors in Leicester build confidence and creativity through Guildhall Young Artists residency.

Guildhall Yong Artists (GYA)  the youth division of Guildhall School of Music & Drama, brought its specialist performing arts training to Leicester over the May bank holiday weekend, welcoming 43 young people aged 10-18 to a three-day music and drama residency designed to develop confidence, creativity and artistic skills.

GYA provides inspiring performing and production arts training through five Saturday centres and one online centre, offering high-quality teaching, creative opportunities and support for young people up to the age of 18. The network creates opportunities that enrich young people’s creative journeys and broaden access to the arts.

Delivered in partnership with De Montfort University and National Youth Jazz Collective, the Leicester residency gave students the opportunity to work with specialist tutors from across the GYA network while meeting like-minded peers in a friendly and supportive environment.

Students could choose from one of four courses in either Music Ensemble, Jazz, Vocals and Drama, and spent three days exploring performance, storytelling and creative collaboration. Music students developed instrumental and vocal skills through hands-on performance and creative exploration, while drama students entered an energising world of storytelling, performance and creative play.

For many participants, the experience also helped build confidence and create lasting friendships:

Riya, aged 12, and a participant during the residency said: “I liked how fun it is, how nice the tutors are and how they help you and make you improve”.

11-year-old Hallie, another participant said: “I’ve kind of learnt to not be embarrassed speaking out to other people. I’ve got more confident now I don’t feel judged and I can just be myself.”

Reflecting on the past weekend, Julie Beaman, Head of Guildhall Young Artists Online, says:
“Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) has had a great experience making music and drama over the bank holiday weekend, at the brilliant De Montfort University. We’ve seen students not just from GYA, but new students from the local community too, for many of whom, this was their first time accessing this provision. It’s been really rewarding to witness; not only have aspirations been raised, friendships have been made that will last long into the future.
It’s our ambition to make sure that GYA, Guildhall’s network for ages 4 – 18, can be accessed by all, regardless of circumstances. As Head of Guildhall Young Artists Online this is really important to me.”

Professor Jonathan Vaughan FGS, Principal, Guildhall School of Music & Drama, says:
“I’m very pleased to see Guildhall Young Artists taking up residency in Leicester, in partnership with De Montfort University. The city played a formative role in my own musical development, with the opportunities I received through Leicestershire’s music service setting the course for my career.
“As a trustee of the National Youth Jazz Collective, I’m delighted it is partnering with GYA for this exciting residency, including its brilliant Executive Artistic Director Issie Barratt, whom I’ve known since our time in Leicestershire’s youth orchestras. I know Issie, and everyone involved in the residency, will make it an inspiring and meaningful experience for the next generation of young artists taking part.”

Guildhall School of Music & Drama is ranked third globally for performing arts in the QS World University Rankings 2026. As part of Guildhall School’s commitment to lifelong learning and continuous education, Guildhall Young Artists supports children and young people to build confidence, creativity and valuable life skills, while also offering pathways into further study and careers in the arts. Participants benefit from exclusive opportunities, performances and workshops, across the wider Guildhall network.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama is provided by the City of London Corporation.

About Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Guildhall School is where passion meets purpose. We deliver world-class professional training in music, drama, production and design, across our iconic, state-of-the-art facilities in the heart of the City of London. For almost 150 years, we have shaped the craft and careers of countless talented performers and artists who have gone on to forge successful paths on stage, on screen and behind the scenes. Our international community of emerging creatives is guided by expert teaching staff, renowned visiting practitioners and industry partners, supporting students to unlock their highest potential. The quality of Guildhall School’s training is recognised globally, with our programmes ranked in the top three in the world for Performing Arts and the top four in the world for Music by the QS World University Rankings 2026. We push the boundaries of artistic practice, championing innovation and experimentation, and our research impact is recognised as world-leading – the highest of any UK music conservatoire. Guildhall School is also one of the UK’s leading providers of lifelong learning in the performing arts, igniting a passion for creativity through inspiring courses and training for children, young people and adult learners, including transformational professional development. The power of the arts is unleashed at Guildhall School. http://www.gsmd.ac.uk

About Guildhall Young Artists
Guildhall Young Artists (GYA) provides inspiring performing and production arts training for children and young people up to the age of 18. Formed of five Saturday centres and one online centre, the GYA network offers high-quality teaching and support. Each centre is run and overseen by Guildhall School, in partnership with arts venues and local providers of education, including schools, local authorities and Music Hubs. These partnerships ensure that children and young people attending GYA centres have access to opportunities that develop and enrich their experiences as creative individuals. Guildhall Young Artists is part of Guildhall School’s commitment to lifelong learning and continuous education for all, introducing children and young people to a range of artforms and genres, with means-tested bursaries available for tuition and travel. The network aims to build children’s confidence, creativity and give them valuable life skills, as well as support to pursue the artform as a career or further study if they wish. By being part of the Guildhall Young Artists network, participants benefit from exclusive opportunities, performances and workshops, including competitions, invites to concerts, gigs and performances from students at Guildhall School.