Meet NYAW’s new Trainee Producers

National Youth Arts Wales have appointed two new Trainee Producers to its staff team, creating new opportunities for young people from under-represented backgrounds to get started with a career in the arts.

These trainee roles are designed to equip young people - who don’t necessarily have any prior experience in the arts - with the skills and knowledge to start a career within the Welsh arts industry. All of NYAW’s trainee roles are paid the Real Living Wage.

Aeron Fitzgerald joins the team as a Trainee Producer working across the breadth of National Youth Arts Wales’ projects, and Elina Lee has been appointed as a Trainee Producer with an exclusive focus on Music Futures for 2021 & 2022.

With thanks to the Youth Music Incubator Fund, which has supported the creation of the Music Futures Trainee Producer role, we’re looking ahead to providing far more opportunities for young people from under-represented backgrounds to begin their careers in 2021. We have recently recruited for a third Trainee Producer to work exclusively on our Côr Skills choral development programme, and we will also be creating six brand new Future Mentor posts later this year.

Aeron Fitzgerald, Trainee Producer, said:

“Being part of the National Youth Arts Wales team since February 2021 has been an exciting and eye-opening beginning to my career. It never occurred to me that working within the Welsh Arts Sector was a possibility for me, until I was inspired by a very passionate and driven Film teacher during my A-Levels. Fast forward a few years and I was able to graduate with an Honours Degree in Film from the University of South Wales.

As a Trainee Producer, it’s my pleasure to develop the fantastic programmes we offer alongside our staff team and numerous freelancers, and to be in close contact with our exceptional members past and present. I’m continually inspired by the dedication and talent possessed by these talented young actors, dancers and musicians across Wales, and learning about the lasting benefits NYAW has on their lives makes me feel incredibly fortunate. I’m eagerly anticipating the recruitment drive for next year’s membership, which is shaping up to be more inclusive and representative of a modern Wales than ever before.”

Elina Lee, Music Futures Trainee Producer, said:

“I am originally from Thailand but moved to Sweden where I spent the majority of my life growing up. In 2017 I moved to Cardiff to pursue a degree in Popular and Commercial Music & Vocals at the University of South Wales, where I graduated in 2020. During my time studying at USW, I was a part of the student-led Music Festival, Immersed Festival, where I was appointed Marketing Lead and got the opportunity to shape and brand the festival from start.

Joining the NYAW team as a Trainee Producer, I have had the privilege of assisting with the planning and delivery of the Music Futures project. So far it has been exciting to meet so many young people with amazing talent, and it feels rewarding to know that you are a part of their journey becoming established artists and future working musicians.

Outside of having recently joined the NYAW team, I freelance as a singer-songwriter and I create my own music projects whenever I have the time to do so. I still enjoy singing and I’m hoping to be able to perform live when the world allows it again.

What I find most exciting working with NYAW is the opportunities offered to young people. Looking back on when I first started creating music as a young person, I wish I had the same support and resources as NYAW provides to talented musicians across Wales today, and I truly believe that it is crucial to give more space for groups who are typically underrepresented within the music scene in Wales.”