With music education cuts at Royal Welsh College and strike action looming at Welsh National Opera, Ben Summer speaks to pupils, parents and musicians about the future of the arts in Wales.
"I think all of us were pretty devastated," says 11-year-old Alice. "I've made some of my best friends there. I just really love it there - all the people, all the instruments, all the talent. It's not fair that they're closing it down."
Alice plays the cello and piano and her main shot at fulfilling her dream of becoming a musician is disappearing in front of her. Already playing to a Grade 8 standard (for the uninitiated, something very unusual for an 11-year-old), Alice is one of hundreds of students affected by the planned closure of weekend youth services at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
In the shadow of huge cuts to the Welsh National Opera, both the present and the future her career - and of arts in Wales - are under huge threat... Keep reading on Wales Online.
"I think all of us were pretty devastated," says 11-year-old Alice. "I've made some of my best friends there. I just really love it there - all the people, all the instruments, all the talent. It's not fair that they're closing it down."
Alice plays the cello and piano and her main shot at fulfilling her dream of becoming a musician is disappearing in front of her. Already playing to a Grade 8 standard (for the uninitiated, something very unusual for an 11-year-old), Alice is one of hundreds of students affected by the planned closure of weekend youth services at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
In the shadow of huge cuts to the Welsh National Opera, both the present and the future her career - and of arts in Wales - are under huge threat... Keep reading on Wales Online.