Rob’s mentoring idea gives young musicians valuable experience
Perform in Perth is running a youth scheme which will help school children gain extra experience from mentoring others involved.
The annual festival is going online this year in March and has been attracting entries from all over the county as well as from further afield.
Perform in Perth has classes that celebrate music, speech and dance and almost 3000 performers take part each year in the two-week long festival.
Secondary school leaver, Rob Johnston (16) came up with the idea for the Young Ambassador Scheme after unofficially mentoring some of the festival’s participants in previous years.
His own participation in the Perform in Perth festival is something Rob describes as having been a“positive influence”.
He has since coached 11 other participants in the festival.
Rob said:“It’s been an amazing experience seeing those I’ve coached brave the stage and witness their pleasure in their own performances.
“It’s helped me gain valuable mentoring skills too.
“I’m absolutely thrilled that the scheme is now being launched.
“It will provide many young participants the chance to give back to a festival that has directly benefited them.
“Without a doubt, being an ambassador should be a great addition to any young person’s CV or university application.”
Now, through Rob’s Young Ambassador Scheme, young people in the area will have the chance to mentor performers while gaining skills and awards themselves.
In order to become involved in the scheme, participants must have taken part in Perform in Perth at least once and be aged between 12 and 25.
Participants can join in with any of four categories: supporting a new participant, promoting the festival, volunteering through stewarding, and fundraising.
Each year, bronze, silver and gold awards will be presented to participants according to how many requirements they fulfil in the categories list.
The first Young Ambassadors Scheme awards are to be presented on the final night of the 2021 festival on March 21.
Anyone who wishes to get involved should contact Perform in Perth at perthcompfest@hotmail.com