Developing the whole musician

At the heart of our Advanced Young Musicians (AYM) Programme is a long-term approach to musical development. Students follow clear progression pathways and build individual artist portfolios, supporting auditions, applications, recordings and future opportunities.

While embracing a wide range of musical styles, AYM places a growing emphasis on musicianship training. Students grow into confident, versatile musicians – able to listen deeply, improvise freely, and work across styles with ease. They develop strong aural and technical skills, from reading notation and lead sheets to shaping harmony, rhythm and sound, while also growing as creative artists who can lead ensembles, arrange music, and collaborate with confidence. 

Above all, students are supported to understand and express their own musical identity, combining influences in imaginative and personal ways. 

Teaching and musical development

The quality of teaching is central to AYM. Our tutors are exceptional musicians and educators drawn from Britten Pears Arts and our wider network of partners, bringing a wealth of artistic experience and a shared commitment to nurturing young talent.

The programme is pitched at a high level, in line with other Centres for Advanced Training, and presents a valuable opportunity to bring the same prestigious training opportunities typically associated with major cities directly to our rural location in Suffolk.

AYM is designed to sit alongside and enrich students’ existing musical learning, including their work in school and large-scale ensembles. While AYM does not offer weekly one-to-one lessons, participants are expected to continue regular instrumental, vocal or compositional study alongside the programme.  

Working with young people from Year 10 onwards, we support progression beyond AYM, helping students connect with further education providers and prepare for the next stage of their musical journey. 

Advanced Young Musicians Lead Artist, Dr Jonathan James  

Musicianship training is at the heart of what Jonathan does, informing the workshops he leads at conservatoires for undergraduate and post-graduate students (Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, Guildhall School of Music and Drama) as well as his consultancy work at specialist music schools such as Chethams and Wells Cathedral.

Jonathan's specialism and research is in collaborative improvisation. He combines this with having been a chamber coach on the senior course at Pro Corda and at the Bristol Pre-Conservatoire, which he founded, as well as his experience as a conductor and animateur with professional orchestras and venues across the UK.  

Jonathan brings an enthusiastic vision for cross-stylistic learning that is based on his own love of all musical genres across thirty years as a professional musician and educator. In that time he has coached and arranged for ensembles and choirs, from jazz and hip-hop through traditional roots influences to contemporary classical. His approach for AYM is to explore what can be learned across styles in order to create the most resilient and versatile musician possible, equipped for the next steps both in tertiary education and the industry. 

Perform, experience, belong

Each term includes performance opportunities in the world-renowned Snape Maltings Concert Hall, alongside chances to observe visiting ensembles and experience life inside a professional music environment.

AYM takes place on site at Snape Maltings, making full use of our unique facilities, instruments and creative spaces. The programme combines regular Saturday activity with an immersive seven-day residential in August. Regular sessions and time away from home supports the development of independence, shaping participants not only as musicians but as young people. It builds confidence and nurtures lasting relationships, creating a supportive peer network that extends well beyond the programme.

A structured pathway

The programme brings together up to 40 young musicians (Year 10 and above) for weekly Saturday sessions centred on sustained development and creative growth. 

The year culminates in a week-long residential in August 2027 – an immersive experience combining intensive music-making, collaboration and performance in a truly inspiring setting. As a defining moment in the programme, it provides an opportunity for participants to showcase their personal and group development, bringing together everything they have learned and putting their training into action with confidence.