A Greenfield musician is celebrating after her youth music project received national funding to grow its work around Oldham.
Holly Prest is a director of Jubacana, a young people-led music and performance outfit, which takes inspiration from the rhythms of Brazil, Africa and South-Asia, but with a UK twist.
And now thanks to a £25,000 grant from Youth Music, the project will be able to involve even more young people.
Established n 2014, Jubacanahas already played at high profile events including RHS Tatton Flower Show, Manchester Day, Liverpool and Manchester Pride and the Celebrate Festival in Mossley Holly, who is also artistic director at Global Grooves, based at Vale Mill, Micklehurst, is described as one of “UK Carnival scene’s bright shiny lights”.
She said: “I took part in out-of-school music activities all through my teenage years and it has made me who I am.
“I made friends for life from communities I otherwise wouldn’t have mixed with, grew in confidence and eventually learned the leadership skills to run projects of my own.
“Jubacana is about sharing and taking pleasure in dancing and making music as a group.
“It is also about giving every member memorable experiences and life skills.
“This grant will enable us to expand our reach throughout Oldham, mentoring young musicians and future leaders to help give them the best possible chance in life.
“We are seeking young people with no experience to learn brand new skills, as well as those with experience of South Asian percussion instrument playing.”
The group is running taster workshops in schools and youth groups around Oldham.
There will be a summer school in August and a collaboration is already planned with a young people’s percussion group from Glasgow and another from Brazil.
Young people aged from eight to 18 are invited to join Jubacana. No experience is necessary and you don’t have to have your own instrument.
The group is also looking for singers, songwriters, other instrumentalists and dancers of every kind.
They meet every Friday at 6pm-7.30pm at The Old Museum, Greaves Street, Oldham OL1 1DN.
Email: info@jubacana.com for more information or visit their Facebook page: facebook.com/WeAreJubacana
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