Guildhall Young Artists Online Leicester Residency

Music Ensemble

For instrumentalists, grade 4 and above

Supported by our specialist teachers, students will have lots of fun making music within a dedicated ensemble and will receive helpful hints and tips on technique, ensemble playing and performing. The course will focus on having fun and building confidence.

What Can I Expect?

Students can look forward to a dynamic, inspiring timetable that will include:

• Large ensemble rehearsals
• Chamber music groups
• Technique and sectional classes
• Individual support, guidance, and feedback

The course finishes with a performance for invited family and friends - a joyful celebration of the residency's achievements.

Please note course content could be subject to change.

Do I need anything?

• Your instrument and any accessories you normally use.
• If you play auxiliary instruments (e.g. piccolo, Eb clarinet, bass clarinet, cor anglais, piccolo trumpet, flugelhorn), feel free to bring them too.
• Any solo repertoire or pieces you are currently working on

Meet the tutors

Inside Jazz 

For instrumentalists, grade 4 and above

Inside Jazz is a fabulous opportunity for jazz students to bring their repertoire to life as a group. Work with Issie Barratt and our partner organisation for this event the National Youth Jazz Collective (NYJC) as we explore and demystify the musical elements behind improvisation and composition. Together, alongside Issie Barratt and GYA jazz tutor Jez Franks you will create a joyful set of music learned and developed entirely by ear.

What Can I Expect?

• Bring your jazz repertoire to life by playing together as an ensemble.
• Explore the core elements of jazz improvisation and composition in an accessible, hands-on way.
• Demystify jazz theory through practical group activities rather than written explanation.
• Create a set of music learned by ear, developing listening and memory skills.
• Experience an authentic jazz environment that mirrors professional rehearsal and creative practice.
• Enjoy supportive, expert guidance with a pace that helps everyone.
• Collaborate creatively with fellow students to shape musical ideas collectively.

Do I need anything?

• Your instrument and any accessories you normally use.

Meet the tutors

Issie Barratt is a Leicestershire-born, internationally active and multi-award-winning composer, saxophonist, musical director, record producer and educator. Named by BBC Radio 4’s Women in Music Power List (2018) as one of the 40 most influential women in the UK music industry, she is widely recognised for her genre-fluid approach to jazz and creative music.

Her work has been performed across leading European concert halls, jazz clubs and festivals, as well as in South East India, Central America and Canada. Issie has received commissions from major ensembles including the Philharmonia Orchestra, Delta Sax Quartet, Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra, Orchestra of the Age of Enlightenment, Scottish National Jazz Orchestra, Bohuslän Big Band (Sweden) and the Women of the World Orchestra. Her music often features internationally acclaimed soloists such as Laura Jurd, Tim Garland, Anders Bergcrantz, Joe Locke, Zoe Rahman and Mark Lockheart.

A pioneering figure in jazz education, Issie founded Trinity Laban’s Jazz Faculty, the National Youth Jazz Collective, Fuzzy Moon Records and the acclaimed Interchange Dectet, championing female improvisers and composers.

Jez Franks took up the guitar age 15 and attended Leeds College of Music, acquiring the College’s Jazz Guitar Prize. He led his own quartet ‘Compassionate Dictatorship’ for many years, producing 3 albums of original material, and touring regularly. He has played, recorded and toured with a variety of ensembles including F-ire Collective member Tom Arthurs’ ‘Centripede’, Asaf Sirkis’ ‘Inner Noise’, the Koby Israelite Band, ‘Centreline’, Loz Speyer’s ‘Timezone’, Gerard Presencer, Rick Astley and ‘Solstice’ alongside Brigitte Beraha, Tori Freestone and John Turville, with recordings for Babel, 33 records, Ubuntu, Two Rivers and FMR and performances including the Cheltenham, London and Haskovo, (Bulgaria), Manchester and many other Jazz festivals, a live performance for Jazz on 3 and tours of Portugal, Poland and Austria. He currently teaches at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and Guildhall Young Artists, amongst others.

“…a staggering improvisational force” All about Jazz website

“Franks is a fluent but punchy player, supple, long-lined solos streaming from his guitars” Chris Parker

Vocals

This course is open to all singers.

The Vocals strand offers an engaging and forward‑looking programme designed for vocalists aged 10–18.

Singers will take part in dynamic group sessions led by experienced Guildhall School tutors that focus on vocal technique, confidence‑building, and expressive performance. Working across a variety of musical styles, participants will develop strong, healthy vocal habits while exploring the creativity and enjoyment of singing with others. This strand encourages individuality, musical curiosity, and collaborative music‑making in a supportive and energising atmosphere. There will also be the opportunity for solo performance.

For classical singers, the course will include daily interactive sessions on vocal technique, repertoire preparation and performance skills. There will be collaborative sessions on singing in Italian and transcribing the sounds, vocal health, and anatomy of the larynx. The latter will include some 'hands - on' activities to give a clear understanding of how the larynx works. 

What Can I Expect?

• Energetic, supportive and interactive sessions
• Activities to stimulate imagination in conveying mood, character and narrative
• A deepening understanding of how the voice works and how to care for it
• A strong sense of community and support
• A final performance for family and friends

Do I need anything?

Students should wear comfortable clothes they can move in. 

Classical singing students are asked to provide titles, composers and keys of 2 or 3 songs they would like to bring for study at least a fortnight in advance of the course.

Meet the tutors

Rachel Sherry graduated with an MA in Music from Birmingham University, followed by the Postgraduate Vocal Course at the Royal Academy of Music. She has performed all over Europe in baroque and contemporary opera, oratorio, and recital together with radio and television appearances as both a session singer and soloist.

Besides standard vocal repertoire, Rachel has always loved exploring lesser-known songs and composers, including themed programmes and one woman shows accompanying herself on a variety of harps. She has several planned publication projects including neglected Italian song and her own arrangements of folk songs of the British Isles for voice and harp.

She specialises in working with young voices and is passionate about ensuring healthy vocal development and understanding. Committed to continuous professional development, Rachel was made a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in 2014, whilst in 2018, she was named on the Royal Academy of Music’s honours list for her services to teaching classical singers of school age. She has acted as both an examiner and adjudicator at home and abroad. A member of the Junior Guildhall singing staff for 30 years, her work is infused with energy, humour, and compassion to bring out the best in a young singer.

Helen Burnett gained a Degree in Drama and Theatre Studies from Royal Holloway, University of London and performed in Musical Theatre taking on leading roles in several productions. These experiences helped shape her versatility as a performer and laid the foundation for her career in music.

Trained in Bel Canto technique, she went on to earn a master’s degree in jazz performance at the Guildhall School of Music & Drama, developing a deep passion for improvisation and contemporary jazz practice.

Her performing career has taken her around the world, from intimate jazz clubs to renowned venues such as the Royal Albert Hall, the London Coliseum, and the O2 Arena. She has shared the stage with celebrated artists including Bobby McFerrin and Andrea Bocelli, and her voice can be heard across film soundtracks, advertising campaigns, radio broadcasts, and video game scores.

Alongside her work as a performer, Helen is a committed educator. Her teaching focuses on vocal health, body awareness, and authentic expression, guiding singers to build confidence, develop their unique sound, and maintain a strong, healthy voice.

Drama

Our three-day intensive Drama residency delivers a vibrant series of workshops designed to nurture creativity, develop authenticity and build technical acting skills.

Led by accomplished drama practitioners, this dynamic programme will explore storytelling, performance, and essential theatre-making skills, while empowering students to collaborate, communicate and express themselves with confidence.

This course welcomes students aged 11–18 (yr 7 +) of all abilities. No prior drama experience is required. Students will be grouped by age so they can work, learn and perform alongside peers in a fun and supportive setting.

What Can I Expect?

Explore acting techniques, movement, voice work and ensemble performance. The course builds toward a group piece performed on stage, celebrating the students’ creativity and teamwork. 

You can expect:

• Professional-level drama workshops delivered with warmth and energy
• Character Development, Unlocking Shakespeare and Improvisation
• Opportunities to create original scenes and characters
• A strong sense of community and shared achievement
• A final group performance for families and friends

Every participant contributes to the creative process, ensuring that the performance reflects the unique strengths and ideas of the group.

Please note class content could be subject to change.

Do I need anything?

Students should wear comfortable clothes they can move in. All scripts, materials and creative resources will be provided.

Meet the tutors

The Drama Couse will be led by Eddie Gower, Head of Centre for GYA King's Cross. 

Eddie trained as an actor and has been privileged to work across multiple genres in theatre, television, and film.

Alongside his acting career Eddie has taught and directed in UK and international Drama Schools for over 25 years.

Eddie is currently the Head of Centre for GYA King’s Cross and was previously Head of Teaching and Learning at Community Music and Head of Short Courses at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts. Eddie is excited to join the GYA Leicester residency and is looking forward to a vibrant three days of workshops.

Both the drama and music residencies take place from Saturday 23 to Monday 25 May 2026.

10:00am - 5:00pm each day

Both residencies take place at the Pace Building of De Montfort University

7BQ, Richmond St, Leicester LE2 7GZ

The residency total cost is £295.

Means-tested assistance is available. Please contact gyaonline@gsmd.ac.uk to discuss.