Summer music workshops announced for young people in Leeds as Rock School UK returns
The popular annual project is celebrating its 18th year of helping the city's young musicians form bands, write original tracks and take to the stage
Summer holiday music courses offering young people aged nine to 16 the chance to form bands, write tracks and perform live are returning to Leeds.
Rock School UK will open its studios for five consecutive weeks, with the six-day courses aimed at young musicians aged nine to 16 of all abilities, including complete beginners.
Participants will work alongside professional musicians to form bands, learn cover versions of songs, and write and record original material in a studio setting. Each week-long course concludes with a live performance at city centre venue The Wardrobe on the following Saturday.
The project is run by veteran drummer Isaac Heywood, who has spent 35 years performing globally with acts including Nightmares on Wax and Corinne Bailey Rae.
Speaking about the programme, Isaac said: "The transformation we see in the children through the week is amazing. Not only do their playing and performing ability improve, but their confidence is really boosted.
"As Rock School UK is for nine to 16-year-olds, and for any instrument and ability, we can form bands so everyone works at a comfortable pace and with like-minded people."
The initiative is now in its 18th year of operation, having worked with thousands of young people since its launch in February 2008. Former participants include members of the band Gravy, who recently performed as a support act for Leeds alternative group the Pigeon Detectives during a UK tour.
In addition to holiday workshops, the organisation delivers funded community programmes, school workshops and corporate team-building events. Previous corporate clients have included O2, Npower and Prudential.
The project has also raised more than £15,000 for local causes since 2010, with donations distributed to Martin House Children’s Hospice and the Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.
All teaching staff are Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked, and the venues are fully insured.
How can my child apply to be part of the summer Rock School UK programme in Leeds?
Rock School UK will open its studios for five consecutive weeks beginning on July 27.
The daytime courses will run from Monday to Friday, 10am until 4pm, across two local venues: Eiger Studios and The Rock & Roll Circus Studios.
Places cost £250 per course. Bookings and applications can be made online via the Rock School UK website, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 07539 670093.