We spoke to X, a young person who began attending our sessions in 2023. During that time, music helped grow their confidence, going from simply attending sessions to eventually performing. Through this piece, we explore how these sessions have supported them.

X began engaging with us in July 2023 as part of our Music of Tomorrow Get Your Music Heard project – first at a four day music production week, and then at another music production intensive multi-day workshop. X then began engaging with sessions weekly (on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings), demonstrating their clear creative talent and growing confidence.

X didn't attend our first sharing session at the Huddersfield live music venue, Small Seeds, but they attended the second and performed at later opportunities.  Over time, X has shown improvements in working collaboratively and has increasingly participated in more groups that aren't music-based. X now travels on public transport and attends public gigs, which was difficult for X in the past. X is now in regular attendance at a further education establishment in the region.

It is clear that both X’s ability and confidence has significantly increased since their initial engagement with our programmes, and we’re proud of the work X has been able to produce, and eventually perform.

One of the facilitators working regularly with X had the following feedback:

X has demonstrated exceptional ability and is able to work at a level well above their age. Their ability to take on ideas and build their own style has been fantastic. Their eagerness to show new work in sessions is always appreciated, and feedback is never ignored, aiding in their rapid improvement over the course of our sessions. Their commitment to their work is deep, and this comes across in our work together, displaying a clear eagerness to work hard in our sessions. The substance of the work has mainly consisted of producing tracks across a broad range of genres, focusing on improving their technical skill.

X’s parent also wrote to YY&M with the following feedback on X’s participation in our projects:

‘X has really benefited from support from YY&M. They have enjoyed collaborating with other young people, and it has really improved X's music production skills and confidence with performance. YY&M has provided a really welcoming, safe place where X can learn skills and feel comfortable, whilst enjoying their love of music. This has also improved X's self-confidence and emotional well-being.’

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