Kentish Express Ashford & District
Youngsters rewarded with musical qualification joy
Young musicians from Ashford are flying high after passing the first stage of their music qualifications.
Teenagers studying at Ashf ord’s Alternate Creative attended a presentation evening last week at the training centre, in Whitfeld Road.
Seven students – Courtney Smith, Lauren Robinson, Eleanor Crook, Callum Rand, Annie Lee, Shannon Griffin and Tegan-Mai Forbes – collected their certificates from awarding body Rock School, as well as a trophy, for passing Level 1 in commercial music.
The certificates, equivalent to half a GCSE, were presented by Alternate Creative’s head of education Nick Hughes and tutor Bruno Mukuze, an established rapper who goes by the name Money B.
Awards were also presented to Chris Strong, David Bracegirdle and Kimberly McCue, who were unable to attend the evening.
Alternate Creative CIC is run by a group of practitioners ranging from musicians, artists and graphic designers with back- grounds in education and training.
It aims to help creative young people gain careers and employment within the industry, and offers a range of vocational courses in art, music and functional skills.
Mr Mukuze, a founding member of The Nutz Cartel, said: “The awards presentation was very successful. All our Level 1 students were very happy to receive their certificates for all their hard work. There are so many young people in Ashford trying to turn their lives around.”
Callum, Lauren and Courtney will now go on to study music business (Level 2) at the training centre. Music on the night was performed by existing Level 2 students Ryan Williams, Rose Mukuze, Yasmin Cale and Jordan Peck.
For more information on Alternate Creative visit alternatecreative.co.uk Among the winners on the night was 17-year-old Callum Rand, pictured, who has just made his first music video.
His song, Now You Know, has been released under his stage name Tipsy and has received nearly 2,000 hits on YouTube.
The rapper was inspired to play music after he joined The Base youth club in Ashford and began playing about with the music equipment there.
Callum, who was referred to Alternate Creative so he could get a music qualification, said: “I learnt a lot there, including respect, knowledge of the industry and an appreciation for a wider range of music and artists.”
Callum, who has just completed his Rock School Level 1 in commercial music, now plans to work on his EP and continue to train at Alternate Creative by studying for his Level 2 in music business.
To find the video, go to YouTube and search for “Tipsy Now You Know”.