Guildhall to launch performance training network for children

Guildhall School of Music and Drama is set to launch a new national training network in performance and production for children and young people across England.

The network aims to “broaden the country’s talent pipeline” and will incorporate five existing centres across England, as well as an online centre for remote study.

It will offer one-to-one training, as well as group lessons and holiday courses in music and drama. 

Centres in Waterloo, the Barbican, King’s Cross – all in London – and Norwich and Taunton will form part of the network, each run in partnership with local arts venues and education providers, the Stage reported.

The network demonstrates “the depth and breadth of Guildhall School’s commitment to children and young people”, said Jonathan Vaughan, Principal of Guildhall.

“Our vision of becoming a sector leader in lifelong learning in the arts is being realised as we work to ensure the boundaries between the different levels of our training are porous and that people at every stage of life can learn with Guildhall School,” he said.

Alison Mears, Director of Guildhall Young Artists, said that a lack of investment in the performing arts in schools over the past decade had “closed down” opportunities. 

“Guildhall Young Artists is our response, as a leading conservatoire, to help increase and broaden the country’s talent pipeline, and to enable more young people to perform, create, improvise and collaborate at the highest level,” she added.