Benedetti Foundation launches ambassador applications

The Benedetti Foundation has opened applications for its 2023 ambassador cohort. Open to instrumentalists, singers, creatives and workshop leaders, next year’s ambassador programme will begin in early 2023.

Designed to help musicians over the age of 18 to develop their teaching and performance skills, the annual training scheme aims to support the progress of the next generation of learners through provision of inspiring teachers and role models.

Ernya, who took part in the ambassador programme last year, talked about the impact the scheme has had on her. She said: ‘It’s helpful to have other like-minded people around, supporting you. Getting more ideas about teaching, about performing and just music in general… It’s equipped me with more ideas for how I can go about teaching and how I can go about performing. It’s just given me more confidence and more creativity.’

On the programme, ambassadors will rehearse and perform with their peers as well as with musicians including Nicola Benedetti herself. Participants will also learn to prepare and present workshops for young people both online and in-person as well as developing teaching and leadership skills in person and online.

Ambassadors will meet with composers to gain contemporary music experience and receive presentations by industry leaders including percussionist Dame Evelyn Glennie, saxophonists Jess Gillam and Nate Holder, organist Anna Lapwood, and mezzo-soprano Karen Cargill. Participants will also learn how to design content for social media.

Each year the programme supports two concurrent cohorts. Instrumental ambassadors are given guidance focused on performance and teaching skills, while creative learning ambassadors receive advice designed to equip them to lead school and community work. As well as hosting over 100 participants each year, the scheme also offers students or recent graduates from the UK’s conservatoires the mentor role of ‘lead ambassador’.

Applications can made here, with more information available on the Benedetti Foundation website.