Educator’s Forum: Exploring NYJO’s new Digital Hub with guest Beth Ismay

Please join our January Educator’s forum for an update from Jazz North’s Learning & Participation department and an opportunity to explore NYJO’s new digital hub with their Learning Programme’s Producer Beth Ismay. As always, our forums are a safe space to reflect, share ideas and ask questions.

Overview

The National Youth Jazz Orchestra (NYJO) exists to empower and inspire young people across the UK through jazz. It has grown from a single jazz orchestra to a vibrant, varied organisation delivering engaging participation projects and impactful live performances for everyone. NYJO are committed to supporting and developing musicians of all styles and standards.

The NYJO Network seeks to support peer learning and development between music educators around the country who want to explore new ideas and learnings in the field of jazz education. Their new Digital Hub has been designed as a place to share best practice in the training and professional development of musicians interested in growing their skills as jazz educators. On these pages you will find modular resources for school teachers, example workshop plans, and deep dives into more specific pedagogical approaches.

Meet our guest

Beth is an experienced youth music programme manager, with a track record in developing projects that reach young people who may otherwise experience barriers to accessing the arts. Having joined in 2021 from Trinity Laban’s Learning & Participation programme, Beth now leads NYJO’s thriving Under 18s programme in South-East London for young people to develop a range of skills in and through jazz and improvised music. Throughout her professional practice, Beth puts front-and-centre the principles of equal access and inclusion, striving to create ever-more safe and welcoming spaces for young people of all backgrounds and experiences.