Tag: musician

meet anna, a young carer from cambridge

artspace cambridge

meet anna, a young carer from cambridge

In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. Developed in 2007 with British Landart:space was our first programme with young carers, and continues to provide young carers in different geographical locations with respite and the chance to develop their creative skills, build their confidence and make new friends.

Anna (13) took part in the three-day art:space music project in Cambridge. She shared her experiences with us.

artspace cambridge

“I’ve been a carer for a few years now. My sister had brain surgery for a brain tumour three years ago. Since then, she’s been on medication. She has been affected long-term because her brain was damaged, and it’s had some emotional effects on her too. I also care for my mum who has ADHD, and I look after both of them as my dad isn’t around. I started caring when I was young and I didn’t really understand everything, but now I get the support I need.

“I NEVER STOPPED SMILING WHEN WE PLAYED MUSIC TOGETHER.”

anna, young carer

discovering creativity

“Before coming to the project, I wanted to do a lot more music but I didn’t know how to get started. The project allowed us to create our own music on guitar and percussion instruments. Kate taught us all the different sounds we can create. We’ve learnt about the different instruments you can hit, and how we can use our body to create sounds. It has given me a lot of inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation to try new things. It might encourage me to write a few more songs.

“I think being creative opens a lot of opportunities and thoughts, especially at a young age like mine. In school we do music lessons, but otherwise I don’t always get the opportunity to be creative. Sometimes if I’m in a mood or have something in my brain, I’ll just write it down and see if I can create something. This project was definitely something different and nice to do.

building community

“It’s been great getting to know everyone and meeting a whole bunch of new people. I’ve liked learning about their caring role, that’s been really fun. I never stopped smiling when we were playing music as a group. It was great to be together, and learn about each other’s experiences.

While on the project, we got to meet Dame Evelyn Glennie (Create Patron) at her studio. She showed us a range of percussion instruments, and even let us have a turn playing them! I like when she showed me this plucking instrument, it makes a really nice sound. I was a bit nervous but I got to play it, which was nice. Meeting Dame Evelyn was one of my personal project highlights!

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art:space Cambridge is supported by British Land.

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YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

YOUNG CARERS VISIT WORLD-RENOWNED PERCUSSIONIST DAME EVELYN GLENNIE’S MUSIC STUDIO

In February 2023, a group of young carers from Cambridge participated in our art:space music project with Create musician Kate Smith. During the project, the group were treated to a special excursion. They visited Create Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie’s music studio and explored her impressive collection of rare percussion instruments. The trip provided them with creative inspiration to take into their music workshops on the following days.

Create Patron Dame Evelyn Glennie has performed worldwide as a percussionist and has composed music for film, television and media libraries. She was awarded an OBE in 1993 and has over 100 international awards to date, including the Polar Music Prize and the Companion of Honour. Evelyn has been a supporter of Create’s work for many years, and became a Patron in 2007.

We spoke to Evelyn about her support of our work, and her session with this passionate group of young carers.

“We’ve had a wonderful gathering of young carers and they have been shown the collection of instruments. We have been reflecting on various ways of listening. We’ve been around the world looking at all the instruments, and sharing ideas and thoughts. The young people were incredibly passionate about the conversations and … I learnt a lot from meeting them, so it’s been a wonderful session.

embracing the individual

“Create is an incredible organisation that really embraces so many different subjects. It isn’t only music, but it’s really about tapping into the story of each individual.

artspace cambridge

“We all need to be inspired and we all are creative beings. Sometimes we just have to find where that seed lies or where the entry point is. Create lets people be given the opportunity. In my case, I was given the opportunity to be introduced to music at school and that set me on my journey. We all need that kind of inspiration. I think it’s all of our duty to connect with others and find out what it is that makes them tick as people, and then try to support that as much as we can.

inspiring futures

“We have seen examples of people wanting to be ambassadors for Create because of their experiences working and collaborating with the incredible team. I think the difference that’s been made to so many people’s lives has been extraordinary.

“It definitely inspired me. I wanted to MAKE more music before but I didn’t know how to get started. Now I’ve got more inspiration and I feel I’ve got the motivation again to try things out.”

art:space cambridge participant

“creativity ignites curiosity”

“Creativity doesn’t mean that you have to be talented at something, it’s quite simply finding that thing that you’re passionate about.”

dame evelyn glennie

“Creativity ignites curiosity. Curiosity often really gets you out of the comfort zone, and it’s really quite healthy to be out of the comfort zone. There’s that wonderful balance of dealing with the unknown, but yet you practise the art of observing, and listening is all about observing.

Create’s Founding CEO Nicky Goulder, who also attended the visit, said: “We are so privileged to have an inspirational group of Patrons who support our work. It’s wonderful to see how they encourage and motivate our participants. These real-world experiences go on to inspire futures. The group of talented young carers in Cambridge had the opportunity to explore creativity through new instruments, sounds and methods, while engaging in a community of like-minded people. They enjoyed themselves so much, and I was so excited to hear the music they created following their visit to Evelyn’s studio.”

listen to music created on art:space cambridge

“Bells”

“It’S GONNA TAKE SOME TIME”

“TICK TOCK”

art:space Cambridge is supported by British Land.

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