“Music is, one might say, the soul. I like to listen and play different music: classical and modern, sad and cheerful. I also love discovering new composers and new works.”  

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15 year old Volodymyr is a pupil on our Furthering Talent programme in Bradford. Originally from Ukraine, he arrived to the UK after war broke out in 2022. Volodymr’s musical education was cut short when he was forced to leave home. He says: 

“I love music. As a child, at one concert, I heard how melodic and magical the violin sounds and I wanted to learn how to play this amazing instrument. At the age of seven, I entered music school where I started learning to play the violin. I had a wonderful teacher who instilled a love for music. In 2022, when the war started in Ukraine, I stopped playing.”  

Volodymyr relocated to Bradford with his mum and started school. But it wasn’t until six months later that he picked up a violin in class. The school spotted Volodymyr’s skill and enthusiasm for playing and reached out to Furthering Talent through our local Connector, Helen Borg. She explains: 

“Until this moment, no one at school knew he could play. The school had neither a string teacher nor the funds to support buying in a teacher so Furthering Talent stepped in to provide Volodymyr with lessons so that he could resume his violin.” Helen Borg, Furthering Talent Connector, Bradford 

Through Furthering Talent, Volodymyr has been able to continue his development as a musician. He has individual music lessons with a violin teacher, whilst working on his goals through his Individual Learning Plan and being part of a community of young musicians. His violin teacher, Aimee, shares the impact of his lessons: 

“Volodymyr has been a pleasure to teach this term; he is enthusiastic, talented, and a hard worker. He likes to listen to performances of his pieces and makes musical decisions about his own playing based on these. He has continued to excel and takes every opportunity he finds to perform to others and share his love of music.” Aimee, violin teacher  

We’re thrilled that Furthering Talent has developed Volodymyr’s confidence and inspired him to take part in more music opportunities in the local area: 

“Furthering Talent has allowed Volodymyr’s confidence to flourish and given him a much wider repertoire. He has performed at the University of York as part of the Modulo project, won the school talent competition, switched across to GCSE Music and has now signed up to be a part of Bradford youth orchestra next academic year. He will forever be grateful for the opportunity that Furthering Talent has given him.” Claire, Leader of Music at Volodymyr’s school 

We’re looking forward to hearing more about Volodymyr’s musical progress! 

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Furthering Talent helps musicians from the earliest stage in their musical journey. The programme is specifically designed to help young people from low income families sustain their musical learning after initial state-funded whole-class lessons end, so they can keep on progressing and playing music well into their teens and beyond.