National Youth Arts Wales is the charity for young performers and creatives right across Wales, from ages 11-25.

We provide the stepping-stone between grass-roots arts activities and the professional creative industries, helping young people to achieve their goals in the arts. We celebrate Wales’s unique and diverse cultural history, whilst helping the next generation of talent to innovate and experiment.

The cornerstone of our work is the national youth ensembles. We work with some of the best talent in Wales in each artform to ensure that members flourish – having an enjoyable experience whilst expanding their creative horizons. Each ensemble has an illustrious history and we have an impressive line up of alumni, many of whom have gone on to become household names nationally and internationally. Through world-class tuition and a supportive atmosphere, we transform the lives of our members and help prepare them for a future career in the arts.

NATIONAL ENSEMBLES

National Youth Arts Wales was founded in 2017 to unite and lead the future development of Wales’ six prestigious and long-established national youth ensembles comprising of the National Youth Brass Band of Wales, National Youth Choir of Wales, National Youth Dance Wales, the National Youth Orchestra of Wales and National Youth Theatre of Wales.

Those who are awarded annual membership following a successful audition process, gain exceptional training and performance opportunities with intensive and enjoyable residency programmes held during school holidays. Only Wales’ most talented young musicians, actors and dancers are selected and competition is tough. Committed to ensuring access and inclusion for all, irrespective of background or location, NYAW’s Bursary provision ensures gifted individuals are given the support they need to participate and excel.

Each of our residencies brings together passionate and likeminded young people from across Wales to develop their creative skills and techniques through intensive, dynamic and fun training programmes led by internationally acclaimed artists, culminating in exciting final showcase performances.

Our members gain newfound confidence and broaden their horizons through learning within a professional environment, gaining unrivalled industry insights to hone their chosen career pathway as well as an enriched sense of belonging to a supportive community of lifelong friends.

NYAW boasts an impressive alumni. The youth theatre is well-represented in the worlds of theatre, film and television with Rob Brydon, Ruth Jones, Michael Sheen, Matthew Rhys, Eve Myles and Russell T Davies all former members. Tim Rhys-Evans of Only Men Aloud, Bryn Terfel and Katherine Jenkins were all members of the National Youth Choir of Wales. Choreographer Henri Oguike was a member of National Youth Dance Wales and The Velvet Underground’s John Cale, harpist Marged Hall and violinist Eos Counsell (Bond quartet) were former National Youth Orchestra of Wales members.