Making a Difference - ArtForms Testimonials
Each year ArtForms and its staff work with a huge number of young people, teachers and organisations across Leeds. From instrumental lessons in school to youth orchestras, from professional development opportunities for teachers and artists to dance, drama, music and arts projects in schools, ArtForms aims to open the doors to the excitement of the arts and help people to explore their creative potential.
Below are stories from people who believe they have gained personally or professionally through their engagement with the opportunties ArtForms has offered them.
Varshika Patel, Steel Pan player on playing in the Leeds Silver Steel Sparrows (a City of Leeds Youth Music group)
"Everyone at my primary school played steel pans and I decided to join in year six when I was 10. It just sounded interesting. When you are little and you see all the older kids playing you want to be involved. I was a bit like, ‘What if I mess up?’ but once I started playing I liked it very much.
"I don’t have my own pans but Victoria (Jaquiss, the band leader) owns a few steel drums and the school owns a few so I practice at school once a week. I’d like to buy some but they are expensive so I’m hoping to save up.
“People from different schools across Leeds are in the band. It’s cool because you get to meet people you wouldn’t have met, you make friends in the band and once a week you get to hang out together. You all know each other and you all have music in common. It’s cool because you are all young, you have your future ahead of you. I see other players and I think, ‘Wow, they are really good. I want to be like them’.
“When we all come together and perform it’s quite amazing. It does sound really, really good. We’ve done lots of gigs, especially at Christmas when there are lots of requests. I love the variety of things we play, from traditional calypso road marches to stuff that’s in the charts now like Coldplay, Snow Patrol and the Kaiser Chiefs.
“It was especially cool playing to a big audience when we took part in the Music for Youth Regional Festival in Harrogate. You can see how much you have changed and improved by getting the chance to perform in front of so many people. It was nerve wracking at first but I’ve got quite used to it.
“The band is important to me. Music is now probably my main hobby and that’s down to them. I wouldn’t have thought of playing a musical instrument because it seemed too hard and I thought I’d never be able to do something like that. And my parents weren’t brought up playing musical instruments and having an appreciation for music. But it’s made me think I can.”
Natalie Cieslik, ArtForms Double Bass pupil on learning and playing in City of Leeds Youth Music groups
'Over the last 7 years I have been involved in musical performances, all of which wouldn't have been possible without the help and guidance from Leeds ArtForms. I started out in Cross Flatts Park Primary School playing the cello and I now attend The South Leeds Academy and play the double bass.
During this time I have been a member of three orchestras and sung in a choir.
I am currently in the City of Leeds Youth Orchestra where I play the double bass and I am looking forward to our concert tour to Spain in the summer. The last two concerts we played were both at Leeds Town Hall, they were the Children’s Prom and in our own concert as part of the Leeds International Concert series.
My Artforms music teachers and school have supported me all the way through my musical life; this has given way to many great opportunities and I have made lots of new friends too.'
