Taking the lead: WIRED in Wakefield

After sessions exploring sampling, synthesisers and much more, the Wakefield edition of our WIRED Music Technology Club concluded recently. We hear from some of those involved with opening doors to a world of sound…

Open to girls and minority gender young people aged 11-18 in Wakefield, YSWN’s WIRED Music Technology Club offered free, hands-on sessions exploring a range of audio hardware and software: synthesisers, four-track recording, DAWS, field recording and live audio manipulation, the Koala sampling app, spring reverb, granular synthesis on iPads, and more.

Making a welcome return to in-person workshops for the first time since March 2020, WIRED Wakefield was led by Teresa Winter, trainee Mia Windsor, and Wakefield Music Hub staff member Nick Park, who together worked with around 12 young people through May to July 2022.

“The main thing seems to be confidence with technology and group activities. They certainly encountered some new ideas and made friends. This was very positive to see and be part of,” says Teresa, when reflecting upon the successes of the club.

The experimental nature of the sessions was really popular with the young people. Teresa, Mia and Nick were each able to bring their specialisms to the team and add something unique for the club. The young people said they most enjoyed “meeting new friends and learning about different music”, “experimenting with synthesisers” and “exploring music that isn’t normal!”

Teresa explains how her awareness and knowledge of gender inequality has changed through the project, and how she was able to make her practice more gender inclusive. “I saw firsthand some manifestations of gender inequality such as the lack of confidence in some,” she reflects. “I learned the importance of trust and social relationships in educational situations to overcome problems such as this: it is important to encourage the confidence to explore.”

Mia adds, “I’ve been very aware of gender inequality through my own experience as a female musician. I think this has been exciting for me as I’m seeing the impact that getting young women and people of minority genders interested and confident in music technology at a young age could have.”

The project also provided a shadowing opportunity for another emerging music leader, Abbey Young. Reflecting on her visit to the sessions, Abbey says, “It was really encouraging to observe how confident participants felt to experiment and have fun during the session…to see everyone engaging with some more experimental music-making techniques.”

The Hepworth, Wakefield, was the location for a full day workshop towards the end of the project. The group spent the morning preparing, with an afternoon of performances within the gallery space, something really valued by the young people, who said it was a great way to mix and bond as a group.

At the end of the club, young people were able to reflect on their time, celebrate their achievements and begin to think about whether they wanted to continue making electronic music going forward. To encourage continuing, the group were provided with resources and links to explore at home.

One parent saw how beneficial the group had been for her daughter: “Her confidence has grown and the group has been invaluable for her. The pandemic came just as she started high school, her self-esteem had hit rock bottom and her courage to mix in larger groups took a hit. This small group, of just women, has helped her immensely”.

Project Co-ordinator Chelsey Everatt adds: “It’s been absolutely fantastic to see this group and project develop. This is our first in-person club as part of the new iteration of WIRED, and Wakefield Music Hub have been an amazing partner. The young people have clearly benefited so much from the sessions, not only learning new music technology skills, and be inspired by women working in music, but they have also made new friends and grown in confidence.

“Having Nick as part of the team (which is unusual to have a man on a YSWN project team!) has been great, and added an additional dynamic. I have seen all three of them grow in their own confidence around engaging girls in this type of work. I’m hoping we can continue to support and work with these young people across the next few years of the WIRED project, whether that is through continuing the club in some form, or them engaging in our online courses and other content.”

As the project continues there will be a WIRED Club launching in Rotherham next year, as well as more online workshops and talks. Follow YSWN on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook, or sign up to our regular newsletter to be the first to hear about it.

WIRED is funded by the National Foundation for Youth Music. Youth Music is supported by the National Lottery via Arts Council England.