Lily Fontaine: From Wallflower to Frontwoman

Lily Fontaine, frontwoman of English Teacher, opens up about navigating the music industry while battling social anxiety and breaking barriers. Discover her inspiring journey and advice for aspiring musicians.

Fund A is open for applications (deadline Friday 30 July 2021)

Improving diversity and inclusion in music education hubs: "Young people are after diverse practices and change."

NEW Certificate of Music Educators

Miles Apart, Close At Heart - An Online Collaboration

Musical Routes - Kingston upon Hull

6 Grassroots Organisations Supporting LGBTQIA+ Young People Through Music

This LGBT+ History Month, get to know some of the organisations we invest in that support LGBTQIA+ young people all year round.

Notion's Creative Director on the Future of Music Journalism

Nicholas Douglas, Creative Director at Notion, talks about the changing face of music journalism and shares his advice for young journalists starting out.

8 Music-Making Projects Supporting Women and Girls

Read about some of the incredible work organisations we fund are doing to support women and girls in music.

Music industry Q&A with Jungle’s Tom McFarland

In November 2020, Tom McFarland, co-founder of Jungle, stopped by for a Q&A with young people from YouPress, to answer their questions about music, and working in the industry. Watch the video, and read the article for tips and advice Tom shared.

Making an album in lockdown: Circle of Light

Circle of Light gives 18-25-year-old budding musicians and creatives the opportunity to work alongside some of Nottingham’s leading artists and music professionals. During a three-week programme, participants are able to learn the ropes of the industry and nurture their creativity.

What it’s like to pursue a career in the music industry when you’re Disabled

Laura Moulding shares her journey as a Disabled musician, the barriers she’s faced, and why inclusivity in the music industry is essential for everyone to thrive.

Why are there so few Black music supervisors?

Jumi Akinfenwa, Senior Music Supervisor & Cultural Curator at Pitch & Sync, discusses with her peers the lack of diversity in music supervision.

Pressures of the music industry – what I’ve learned to support my mental health

Milli-Rose Rubin shares her journey in the music industry, exploring the deep link between creativity and mental health, and offering insights for navigating challenges.

BICEP On How to Start and Sustain a Career in Music Production

Electronic duo Bicep share their tips on how to start and sustain a long career in music production.

Bonding with my daughter and finding friends through music - Hannah's story

Hannah, 19, is a mum to 11-month-old Lilly. A Youth Music project has helped her bond with her daughter and find a supportive group of friends.

Since Lilly was eight weeks old, Hannah, from Bodmin in Cornwall, has been taking part in the ‘Music Makes Me Happy’ project for young parents with babies or toddlers, run by WILD Young Parents Project.

The weekly music-making sessions include ukulele, singing and Makaton (a simple sign language that can be used alongside songs or speech to help with children’s language learning). The songs and skills that Hannah’s learned from the group have provided hours of fun at home too, and given her a real sense of achievement.

"I feel happy that I’ve got somewhere" - Filip's story

Filip, 14, is a jazz drummer who takes part in the East by North East project run by GemArts in Newcastle-upon-Tyne.

The project provides music-making opportunities for young people across the city, including many like Filip who are from Eastern European families that have settled in Newcastle, as well as those from asylum-seeking and refugee families.

The five members of Filip’s group – known as The Marian Band – all met through the project and come from a mix of Czech and Slovakian Roma backgrounds. They meet up each week to rehearse traditional Eastern European jazz songs.

Bringing music to the wards - Fabrice's story

Fabrice loves to sing. “I've been making music since I was young – since I was born!” says the 18-year-old, who grew up in central Africa but moved to the UK with his family in 2014 and now lives in the North East of England.

Fabrice experienced some serious mental health problems which led to him spending several months in hospital last year. Making music with the Singing for Health project has given Fabrice some of his happiest memories from a difficult time.