For an individual Music Leader who inspires young people in music through their actions, creativity, determination, positivity, energy, selflessness or ability to overcome challenges.
A huge congratulations to all the nominees shortlisted for our Inspirational Music Leader Award. The Youth Music Awards 2019 are about celebrating the achievements of young people taking part in projects we fund, but also the organisations and music leaders going above and beyond to support them. The shortlisted nominees inspire us through their dedication to do just that. Find out more about them below.
Neil Card (winner)
Tang Hall SMART CIC (York)
Neil is a producer, multi-instrumentalist, and performer (artist name: D.Ni.L) who works at Tang Hall SMART CIC in York as their Director of Music. A prolific composer in his own right, Neil also enables others to realise their potential, particularly young people battling addiction and poor mental health, and/or who have experienced homelessness.
Neil’s nominator says, “There is no one like Neil Card. He is conquering adversity - battling with addiction and poor mental health to put four years of homelessness behind him - with a fast and furious musical output of his own works, collaborations with the young people he tutors, and production for our in-house record label.”
“As D.Ni.L, Neil has composed and produced four albums of original autobiographical music and is near to releasing his fifth - which acts as an inspiring model for our young people who are in awe of Neil's towering musicianship and creative drive.
“Then there are Neil’s astonishing, ‘faster-than-the-eye-can-see’ production skills; invaluable tools, enabling anxious young musicians to hear professional results quickly. But above all, what makes Neil unique is his ability to inspire musicians who face struggles and adversity, with the confidence and power to use music as their vehicle for recovery and progress.
“Time after time, young musicians at Tang Hall SMART have confided that they want to be like Neil. Young people who have shared similar backgrounds take courage from Neil, and model themselves on him.
“Never patronising, always cheerful and optimistic, they take strength from him to achieve excellence – and whether their barrier is a learning disability, poor mental health, addiction, homelessness, they feel safe and valued working with him, and produce work beyond their own and other’s expectations. Neil's track record with RSL examinations, and his catalogue of productions, are further testimony to his phenomenal drive and multiplicity of talents.”
Follow Neil: Facebook YouTube Website
Follow Tang Hall SMART: YouTube
Holly Prest
Global Grooves/Jubacana (Oldham)
Holly’s nominator says: “Holly is an inspiration to many that she has met at various points over the years, especially within the Future Leaders Programme. I think we’re incredibly lucky as participants to have witnessed her sheer skill in the instruments and styles that she plays; heard her stories of dedication to practice and learning since when she was a similar age to us; felt the energy, passion that radiates from within; and, as I’m sure others would agree, have felt overwhelming support and caring from her for our own individual journeys, in all of their forms, despite the network reaching over 100 young people nationally and internationally now!
“I feel inspired with the passion and energy that she shines and it’s true to say that I’ve grown incredible amounts as an individual in the time that we have known each other. I feel I’ve been influenced hugely - both from advice and guidance, as well as observing an individual that I look up to – in my artistic and creative development. I am incredibly grateful for her being so willing to let me take (many!) leaves from her rich book of experience and expertise. There are few individuals in the world who would put so much into ensuring that the positive impact of music is shared with others.”
Marvin Credible
Kadie Brooke, who nominated Marvin, says, “Trust me when I say this man is dedicated to the cause. Music and educating youths - in particular, youths at a disadvantage - is Marvin's life. He has been tenacious and committed in the pursuit of doing what he loves, with many sacrifices and roadblocks. I can think of nobody more deserving.”
Liam Smith says, "Prior to meeting Marvin I had no experience in DJing whatsoever, but being mentored by a Serato DJ specialist has been extremely beneficial and has given me an outlet to express myself through music.
"Aside from that, Marvin has taught me the fundamentals of business, helping me with juggling the life of a freelancer and teaching me how finance works. In fact, a lot of the life skills Marvin has given me are essential but we are never taught these lessons through school or university and it really takes someone sitting down, being patient and explaining these things on a mature level.
"Marvin has a wide circle of people that he continually goes out of his way to help and has tendency of putting himself last and bringing people together to collaborate and create through music and charity. There are so many other examples I could mention where I have seen Marvin demonstrate a genuine sense of charity and kindness towards people to elevate them; and in some cases bringing them out of a really dark place mentally, regardless of age or musical interest."
Rosalind Hawley
LIME Music for Health (Manchester)
Ros’ nominator says, “Ros is a specialist music and health practitioner and has over 25 years’ experience in using live music with children and young people with special educational needs/disabilities, devising and leading live music programmes for use in a range of educational and therapeutic settings.”
“She runs training and mentoring for musicians and medical students in healthcare settings. Her sensitive, expert work at LIME Music for Health is widely respected throughout the musical and health communities. She is professional, inspiring and dedicated to making a difference.
“She is able to communicate with patients and staff alike and form intimate, special bonds with families and patients, many with complex, special needs, extremely ill and undergoing painful treatment and long-term hospitalisation.”
Follow Ros: Website
Matt ‘Blessed’ Stevens
Music Fusion (Havant)
Matt’s nominator says, “Matt’s skills as a music leader, producer, rapper and promoter are only surpassed by the size of his heart, his empathy and generosity.”
“Matt is honestly the most amazing unique inspirational music leader I have ever known! He has ALWAYS given his all to what he does, going far and beyond in all projects, takes his time to gain people’s trust, is open and honest, caring, professional yet fun, and any barrier we have he finds a way to overcome it or adapt it.
“When I first met him I was the biggest suicidal mess you could imagine but he did something no one else had managed to do at that time - gave me a reason to live and became my biggest support system. I'm proud to say he has changed my life for the better. Let the world know that this man is a true legend!”
“Matt is an incredibly hard-working and compassionate guy who dedicates a huge amount of time to helping young people. Some of the things he's done include organising and hosting music showcases for young musicians, helping disadvantaged young people write and record music and even taking a homeless teenager off the street and helping him start a new life at a personal cost.
“Everyone feels safe around him - when one of the young people had a seizure Matt knew exactly what to do. He takes his responsibility towards protecting the young people extremely seriously while keeping the musical side of his job fun and interesting for everyone.”
Karl Lewis
Romsey Mill (Cambridge)
Karl’s nominator says, “As Romsey Mill’s music specialist youth worker for 10 years, Karl’s leads our music programme, engaging with over 100 young people, many of whom are amongst the most marginalised and at risk.”
“Karl, who was himself supported by Romsey Mill as a young person, has grown the music programme, which now provides access to music making opportunities for disadvantaged young people across Cambridge, and in several outlying and new communities in South Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.
“As a noted local musician and performer in his own right, young people regard Karl as credible and authentic. He mentors and advises them with their lyric-writing and music-making; particularly in their favoured urban music genres.
“Through Karl’s commitment, many young people have been able to perform their music publicly to audiences at The Cambridge Junction and The Big Weekend; and record and release their music on an album, available on various digital platforms and CD format.
“Karl’s guidance and inspirational leadership extends beyond music, going the extra mile in supporting young people who are homeless or experiencing difficulty in their lives; such as visiting those who have been sent to prison, or who have been moved to social care settings elsewhere in the country.”
PMLL
With over 130 music publisher members Printed Music Licensing Ltd (PMLL) is a company set up to license the copying of printed music for schools in the United Kingdom. PMLL allow schools to make copies of a wide range of printed music publications and to arrange the musical works embodied in printed music publications.
PMLL is part of the Music Publishers Association Group (MPA Group). British Music Publishers invest in musical copyrights by supporting songwriters, authors and composers and generates over a quarter of the UK music industry’s £2.6 billion in export revenue.
