Vocalized
Vocalized is a free after‑school music programme for young people aged 11–19, designed to build confidence, wellbeing, and self‑esteem through music. Delivered by three professional music industry tutors, the programme runs across three local venues.
Young people choose to focus on band development, music production, or vocals, and work alongside their peers and tutors to develop skills or try something completely new. With creative control and guidance from tutors, they create original work to perform at the final Vocalized Showcase. The programme concludes with all participants coming together to perform at a local music venue in front of family, friends, and the wider community.
Vocalized supports young people to build skills, confidence, and creative expression, while offering insight into potential music industry pathways and a platform to showcase their talent.
Vocalized 2025
Vocalized 2025 was a highly successful programme, engaging both returning and new young people in a creative, supportive environment. Many participants came back from previous years, highlighting the lasting impact and positive experiences the programme offers, while new young people joined through targeted promotion and recommendations from their peers.
This year saw a real growth in confidence, with young people creating and performing original music, exploring new styles, and working together through peer‑led collaborations. These creative connections often continued beyond the sessions themselves, showing how Vocalized supports young people to see themselves as artists and collaborators. The programme was strengthened by strong partnerships, with support from National Youth Arts Trust, Grandma’s Studio, and local schools, helping to provide a professional, inspiring setting where young people could develop their skills and express their creativity.
“‘I liked the sense of community it included me in, it also allowed me to develop deeper connections with my friends - who were in my band, as well as get closer with people i didn’t know as well before. I participated last year as well, and honestly until i can’t anymore i’ll continue signing up.’”
“‘Being with my friends and peers and being able to play altogether has made me become closer to my classmates and talk to new people in my school.’”
This programme aims to encourage participants to:
learn and develop new musical skills
improve emotional wellbeing
increase confidence both in their chosen field and generally
learn a music piece and perform to family and friends at the end of the programme
overcome stage fright and anxiety
develop natural vocal abilities and sense of rhythm
learn about stage presence and storytelling in performing
Impact
74
young people
participated in 2025
90%
learnt new skills
93%
increased confidence
90%
had a positive effect on other areas of their life after taking part in Vocalized
79%
improved relationships with others
Young people rated the programme 4.83/5 for how much they enjoyed it
“‘I have never felt so confident as I did when I performed at Vocalized.’ ”
Vocalized Xtra
Vocalized Xtra is a free, week‑long half‑term music programme for young people aged 13–19, designed to build skills, confidence, and pathways into the music industry.
In 2025, the programme engaged 17 young people, with 100% saying they would take part again and rating their overall enjoyment 4.64 out of 5.
Building on the success of Vocalized, the programme gives young people the chance to experience the full creative journey, from developing an idea to recording original music. Participants can choose to form bands or focus on music production, working in ways that suit their interests and creativity. By the end of the programme, 100% of young people had learnt new skills, 86% reported increased confidence, and 93% said they had made new friends or strengthened relationships.
The programme finishes with a professional recording studio session, where young people record their own music alongside a studio engineer — often their first experience of a professional creative environment. Vocalized Xtra also has a lasting impact, with 79% of participants saying it made them more interested in a career in the music industry, while supporting wellbeing, self‑belief, and creative expression in a positive, inclusive space.
“‘It was really beneficial and helpful as well as fun. I learnt new skills about production and working in teams as well as volunteers inspiring me. Lorna, Roxi and Esa were very helpful and nice. they have helped me a lot in confidence and skill.’ ”
Band Development programme
The Band Development pilot programme was created in response to the success of Vocalized Xtra and the strong potential shown by emerging young bands. In 2025, the pilot engaged six young people, offering a clear progression route for those ready to develop their practice and move towards more professional music‑making.
Through weekly rehearsals led by an experienced Band Development tutor, participants worked collaboratively to create original music, with 100% writing their own tracks and 100% learning new skills about the music industry. The programme also had a strong personal impact, with 100% of young people reporting increased confidence and 100% saying they had made new friends or strengthened relationships as a result of taking part. Young people rated the programme 4.33 out of 5 for enjoyment.
The programme finishes with a professional studio recording of three to five original tracks, giving young people a powerful sense of achievement and something tangible to take forward.
Case study
SJ, female
SJ has been involved in Vocalized for the past three years and joined the Band Development programme with the aim of further developing her skills as a musician and songwriter. Throughout her time with Vocalized, SJ has made significant progress in confidence and communication.
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During her first year on the programme, she found it challenging to collaborate and work with new people. However, over time she grew more comfortable in group settings and developed strong collaborative skills. During the Vocalized Xtra programme, she was identified by the Band Development tutor as a highly skilled songwriter and was invited to take part in the Band Development pilot to further nurture her talent.
Initially, SJ felt hesitant about joining the programme, as working with new people was outside her comfort zone. However, once rehearsals began, she quickly emerged as a confident and committed member of the group. She built strong relationships with new band members through shared musical interests and a common enthusiasm for songwriting themes, and soon became a natural leader within the group.
SJ demonstrated exceptional commitment throughout the programme, regularly working on her songwriting outside of rehearsals. She shared practice recordings with the tutor between sessions and actively sought feedback, showing a strong desire to learn and improve.
Since completing the programme, SJ has continued to develop her writing and collaborate both with band members and with new musicians on additional projects. She is highly motivated and has expressed a growing interest in performance opportunities across local events. As a result, she recently performed alongside a bandmate in front of musician Maxi Millz at Youth Action Alliance’s Black History Month event.
The band has created a Tik Tok account under the bands names 'The Fleas', to start generating followers and momentum for their music.
YAA continues to support SJ’s development as a musician and is exploring post-school progression opportunities to help her sustain and build on her creative pathway. Reflecting on her journey, SJ shared:
“I have loved all the opportunities where I have been able to perform and learn as a singer-songwriter. I have learnt so much about myself and things I didn’t realise I was capable of.”
Contact
Damilola Rowe
Team Manager
vocalized@youthactionalliance.org
Previous Vocalized
To see previous Vocalized click here.