Young Artist Musical Ambassadors (YAMA) Programme

The Music Mind Spirit Trust’s YAMA (Young Artist Musical Ambassadors) Programme equips 11-25+ year old musicians to perform in protected environments by developing their musical and interpersonal skills. Uniquely designed programmes are dedicated to enabling both young talented and experienced professional musicians to develop and refresh their musical gifts and enhance their creative potential.

In this intergenerational mentorship project, the YAMAs (core group from the Royal Academy of Music) are trained by Nigel Osborne, Chika Robertson, Mark Ross Clark, Julian West, Live Music Now and other professional organisations to reinvigorate the lives of care home residents, staff and families through regular music sessions. Bespoke recorded music between sessions uses cutting-edge digital technology through its ground-breaking partner organisation X-System Ltd to aid musical/scientific research and practice.

Collective MAPs (Musically Attuned Performances) are created via live community performances to create lasting ‘Moving Memories’.

As part of MMST’s National Lottery Community Fund Award, YAMAs worked collaboratively with BBC Music Day to help bring music to everyone in the UK living with dementia through the power of music to inspire, bring us together and make a positive impact.

YAMA Live

Young Artist Musical Ambassadors of the Music Mind Spirit Trust continue to enrich people's lives through music.

We are delighted to run this vlog featuring live music from YAMA musicians. We can’t wait for you to ‘Meet the YAMAs’! 🎵

These concerts are part of the ‘Connection through Music’ series, weekly events which offered music and wellbeing all throughout lockdown in collaboration with Paras Wellbeing, NHS Recovery College Online and X-System.

To see the Thursday night events please visit: https://www.paraswellbeing.co.uk/wellbeinglive

A Celebration of Love

We are delighted to celebrate all things love with this Valentine’s Day special featuring amazing musicians from around the world. ❤️

Amalia & Cecilia Young

We are pleased to introduce violinist Amalia Young (Royal Academy of Music) as our 1st featured guest on our new series 'Meet the YAMAs'! 🎵

Amalia and her sister Cecilia lifted people's spirits across the world with their delightful family music making, live from lockdown in Leicester, UK.

Prof Mark Ross Clark

We are extremely honoured to welcome Prof Mark Ross Clark as our 1st International Professional Mentor for the YAMAs!

Singers Mark Ross Clark (Professor of Music and Theatre - University of Louisiana), Rachel Boriaque and Ryan Kersh, beautifully accompanied by harpist Margaret Hall, performed an enchanting programme (together with the cicada!) ‘Live from the Bayou’ during the Louisiana lockdown.

Nathan Knight

It is a genuine pleasure to introduce virtuoso double-bassist Nathan Knight as a Professional Mentor for the Young Artist Musical Ambassadors (YAMA) of the Music Mind Spirit Trust. Nathan inspired audiences around the world with his live performance during lockdown in London.

Alistair Sutherland

We are delighted to welcome Alistair Sutherland as a Professional Mentor for MMST’s Young Artist Musical Ambassadors. Alistair is an operatic baritone who has a special interest in working with all ages, including those living with dementia, through his excellent work with Opera Holland Park (OHP Inspire) and the Music Mind Spirit Trust.

Natasha Hallett

It is a genuine pleasure to introduce Young Artist Musical Ambassador Natasha Hallett as our ‘Meet the YAMAs’ featured guest. Natasha has been extremely active in providing live concerts from the Surrey Hills and into care homes throughout the pandemic as a delightful Daughter-Mother Duo, with professional cellist and YAMA Advisor Jenny Janse.