Happy New Year! 2018 plans at ActuallyAmy HQ

Hi everyone!
This last year has been a deciding time for me. I took some time to think a lot about which direction I wanted to move in, hence the lack of updates on here! Tried some different things and came to more of a place of clarity in my career.
Having come back from travels I did some classroom music teaching for a couple of terms while building up private afternoon/evening teaching in and around south London. 
I decided classroom was not for me and focussed more on instrumental teaching as usual. 
Currently teaching piano in a lovely prep school out in Farnham a day a week as well as private clarinet/piano teaching in the afternoon/evenings Monday-Thursday. In addition to this working on getting more teaching in a London based school.

The most exciting news is hatching finally in 2018... Have been thinking for a long while about doing some form of counselling course and so I've enrolled with a charity called Place2Be, completed their taster day last month and will start Level 2 in Children's Counselling on the 3rd February!
It is part time so I am lucky to have the time to dedicate to study while still doing all the teaching and songwriting alongside. 
I am so excited to start this course and make a difference to young people in a different way... and get my study on again!

Promise to be better at keeping up with blogging in 2018.

With love, 
Amy

Songwriting with Four Seasons Theatre, Suffolk

On the weekend of July 23rd/24th we will be running a weekend songwriting course in Ipswich! Four Seasons Theatre, Suffolk are having us in to coach their young people in songwriting.
We are also lucky enough to have the awesome Arianna coming all the way from Italy to sing! We will be performing a few songs together over the weekend.
For the workshop, together we will look at the theme the young people would like to focus on, and talk about influences and aspirations for how they'd like their song to sound.
After this, there will be some rhyming games and we will get stuck into writing the chorus and other sections of the song.

The end of the weekend will culminate with their song being performed live!
For booking please see the flyer below, places get booked up quickly so grab your place now!

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Fundraiser for Notivate London!

Hello everyone! 
Thank you so much for the text donations so far! I'm running the Hackney Half Marathon in just over a month (eek!) for Notivate London, a truly inspirational creative charity for young people. 

To donate, please visit my GoldenGiving page here: 

https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/notivatelondon

This is what Notivate are all about and more info below...

Their brilliant Singer Songwriter course is dedicated to young people to increase self esteem, willingness to take creative risks and the confidence to learn.

I have seen first hand the impact this programme has in these childrens' lives, and the experience stays with them for a long time.
Music has been massively prevalent in shaping me to the person I am today which is why I feel so passionate to do all I can to help give our next generation this opportunity. 

“Very successful in captivating and motivating the children.” (Children’s Fund)

“Brilliantly fantastico!” (Pupil)

Over the six weeks, the children have the space to express themselves, explore their feelings and perhaps try something for the first time.

They become more tenacious, team orientated and able to think creatively.
Isn't that amazing?
I'd love to spread the word and give this opportunity to as many young people as I can!

In case you missed it, here's the link again: 

https://www.goldengiving.com/fundraising/notivatelondon

Thank you so much!

If you feel that this resonated with you, please feel free to share the article with your friends.

With love,

Amy x

Fundraiser for Notivate London!

As many of you know, I am doing some work with an amazing songwriting charity called Notivate and have just delivered the first Singer Songwriter course into a south London school, over the 6 sessions, the children will write, rehearse and record their own original songs in a London studio.

Have a look at the singer songwriter course here: http://www.notivate.org/singer_songwriter

“A very imaginative and interesting programme.”
Paul Harris (Music Educationalist)

“Very successful in captivating and motivating the children.” (Children’s Fund)

“Brilliantly fantastico!” (Pupil)

As well as promoting this impactful course into schools, I'll be running the Hackney half marathon to fundraise for another course to be delivered.

Over the six weeks, the children have the space to express themselves, explore their feelings and perhaps try something for the first time.

I'm really passionate about the impact this programme has on the young people, and the lasting results are astounding. They become more tenacious, team orientated and able to think creatively.
Isn't that amazing?
I'd love to spread the word and give this opportunity to as many young people as I can!
To donate, please text NTVT16 followed by an amount of £1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10 to 70070.
Anything you can give, however big or small, is so appreciated. Thank you so much!

If you feel that this resonated with you, please feel free to donate my cause and share the article with your friends!

With love,

Amy x

Three amazing ways that creative encouragement impacts young people

Are you interested in getting the most out of the young people you work with?

It seems to me that there is too much emphasis on criticising a young persons downfalls than to praise their strengths. If we as teachers and parents took more time to reflect on their efforts and explorations then something powerful happens... Our young people would be more likely to grow up to be more grounded, authentic adults. 

What does encouragement mean? 
'The act of giving someone support, encouragement or hope" - Oxford Dictionary

So, how do we encourage the young people we come into contact with?
I wholeheartedly believe that the key to encouragement is getting down to the same level, where a young person can relate to you as an equal. Become childlike in your curiosity towards their learning, ask why, be open to their ideas and then watch how they flourish.

The definition of creativity:
"Creativity is the ability to challenge, question and explore. It involves taking risks, playing with ideas, keeping an open mind and making connections where none are obvious". - Victoria and Albert Museum of Childhood

Here are three ways that doing just that can positively impact young people:

1. Increases self esteem - emotions like fear, anxiety, stress and anger narrow focus and hinder concentration while when we create a space filled with encouragement and positive affirmations, their emotions will immediately switch to feeling more calm, relaxed and able to comfortably take on the task at hand.

2. Gives the confidence to take risks - when young people feel valued and acknowledged, it gives them confidence to try new things with the assurance that they haven't 'got it wrong'. This is a massive factor in cultivating creativity.

3. Builds on a sense of challenge - when a young person is gently challenged to reach a goal - often something they never saw themselves doing, they feel really empowered. You change the way they perceive their abilities which is a HUGE deal!

To conclude, praise impacts young people in a such a way that they can achieve so much more. Push their limits creatively through being challenged and they have the safe space to be the best they can be with positive feedback and a supportive environment. 

With love,
Amy x

The brilliant Notivate Anti-bullying Competition has a new judge!

It's been a great start to 2016 so far, currently heading up the first London based Notivate Singer/Songwriter course! We're in the recording studio on Friday to record the great song written by twelve young people at Sir Francis Drake Primary... More updates to come soon!

And there's more...

I'm super excited and honoured to announce that I've been asked on the panel to judge the annual Notivate Anti-Bullying Competition Final! Two years ago the young people from one of my community songwriting workshops made it through to the final and performed their song there so it will be great to be back again, judging along with some other great musicians and practitioners in the music industry.

26th February, Spinney Hill Theatre 6.30pm, come down!

Five benefits of the Songwriting Process

Over the last six years, we've discovered some amazing breakthroughs when running songwriting workshops, and we feel so grateful and humbled to be able to offer this service.
Writing songs brings huge benefits, and especially so for young people. 
So why is that? Keep reading...

1. Explore creativity
In many school subjects, for instance, maths and science, the answers given are either right or wrong, with very little in between. 
Writing a song is subjective, the process of coming up with ideas and taking risks without judgement or scrutiny is a massively liberating experience.

2. Work together 
Being able to discuss, share and bounce ideas off others is a great way for young people to feel part of something bigger. It brings in aspects of problem solving; (is there enough syllables in that line?) contributing; (you can write the lyrics and we can write the melody) and debate; (let's vote on which chorus to choose).

3. Express feelings
Songwriting provides an outlet for our feelings, and sometimes it's easier to sing about feelings than to say them. Writing a song is a way of working through both the positive and negative sides of our emotions. Yes, the words might not come easily all the time, but specifically singing about our passions is a very therapeutic experience.

4. Have a sense of accomplishment 
Being proud of what you've created brings an enormous sense of joy. This leaves a lasting effect on us and the people around us. There is the additional bonus of having ownership of your song and being able to share it with friends and family.

5. Grow in confidence 
The four points mentioned above all contribute to improving confidence and self esteem through songwriting. The process will often begin with feelings of nervousness in young people, as the idea of writing a song can be a scary prospect at first, but whether it be lyric, melody or music writing, young people are able to uncover their strengths, and feel proud of what they have created.

Writing a song is not about being the best, neither is it about being the first to finish the song. It's about the journey, the ideas that were thought of, collaborations made, thoughts realised, and ultimately the overarching feeling of happiness from creating a unique piece of art.

The aim in our ActuallyAmy Songwriting workshops is to help young people realise that in the songwriting process they can take risks, accept their individuality and watch the flow of creativity happen.

We are currently taking bookings for summer 2017! 
Our workshops are for youth groups, theatre groups, church holiday clubs, birthday celebrations or private sessions. We aim to tailor the time to your requirements and give you a day full of fun and expression without judgement.

If you like the sound of what we have to offer then please get feel free to get in touch.
Contact Amy on 07919525893 or info@actuallyamy.co.uk.

Much love

Songwriting Project: Garden Community Cafe, East London

We have just finished a five week project at the Garden Community Cafe in East London. Our primary aim is to give as many children and young people in the area a musical outlet in which to express themselves. This workshop aims to improve confidence and self-esteem while providing an opportunity to work in a team.
For this project the young people decided collectively to write their song on the theme of Easter time, have a listen!




Some snaps of a couple of the children at work:

Songs written on the Young Songwriter Course, Kilve, Somerset

Written by young people on our ' Young Songwriter' course at Kilve Court, Somerset.

Their first song is themed on Kilve Court and what it means to them, the activities you can take part in, describing the surroundings, including beautiful Kilve beach. Some very good singing/lyrics and a rap about the tutors!
All lyrics and music played in/recorded by the participants. We had live guitar parts and each person contributed to a part of the song.

Their second song was influenced by a story told to them by a long standing staff member at Kilve...
It is rumoured that a young lady of 18 had a baby at Kilve Court in the early 1600's, unfortunately a few months after the birth, the baby died. The mother was so distraught she wouldn't believe he was no longer with her, so refused to bury him. She wrapped him in swaddling bands and sat cradling him in a rocking chair.

There is a door on the first floor of Kilve with no handle, no way to get in. It is said her and the baby are in the room behind the door.
She can be heard late at night singing haunting lullabies to her baby, willing him to wake up...
The students had lots of fun coming up with their song based on this story, a chilling lullaby, tick tock of the clock and some eerie spoken word. Finished with a door slam.

Scroll down to listen to the song and a few photos of them in action...

ActuallyAmy Songwriting has KalliKids Accreditation!

We are now accredited on Kallikids!

Kallikids is a service that provides activities for children, recommended by parents.

Their aim is to:
- Get children engaging in a range of enjoyable activities to help them develop core life skills
- Provide reassurance to parents by only accrediting trusted and approved activity providers
- Help support local and small businesses within your local community

Parents can click through to our profile page here: http://www.kallikids.com/en/provider-detail.cfm/page/actuallyamy-songwriting
Book onto upcoming workshops and see updates of what we're doing in the coming months!

Watch out for the Kallikids tick of approval around the website:

Young Songwriter Residential Course at KIlve Court, Somerset.

ActuallyAmy Songwriting is running the 'Young Songwriter' Enrichment course at Kilve Court, Somerset, 14th-16th November.


Kilve Court is a Georgian Country House with modern extensions, situated in 40 acres of wooded grounds and gardens, at the foot of the Quantock Hills and one mile from the sea.
Purchased by Somerset County Council in 1962 as a Youth Centre, Kilve has been developed over the years as a Residential Education Centre.
Kilve Court’s position between the hills and the coast provides excellent opportunities for a vast range of outdoor and academic activities.
Bedroom areas are fitted with electronic keypads to provide restricted access.
Accommodation for up to 90 in rooms comprising 2, 3, 4, 6, or 7 beds. Showers and toilets are organised for each group of bedrooms.
Three main meals per day cooked onsite by our fabulous cooks.

Whether a first night away from home as a seasoned Kilvite, each visit to any one of our Centres will challenge and embrace your uniqueness.

The cost of the course is £144 per child which includes accommodation, meals, tuition, materials and equipment, and covers the period from 5.30pm Friday until Sunday afternoon. The course is structured to give a demanding and intensive period of study and is designed for children who have an enquiring mind, thrive on learning, enjoy creativity, welcome an academic challenge and wish to widen their horizons beyond that of the National Curriculum.

About the Young Songwriter Course....

Write and record a song in a weekend! 

Participants will decide on a theme to write about, write and record lyrics in groups, compose melody lines and make choices on the backing music for their song. As a group they decide with how they would like their song to sound, what kind of instruments to have and whether they would like to record themselves singing, rapping or speaking their lyrics. There may be time to record more that one song over the course of the weekend.
Children will be able to design CD artwork, a poster and tickets for their performance to parents on Sunday afternoon. Song(s) will also be available to download for free from iTunes or the Soundcloud website!
For young people aged 11 12 and 13, this course is a great way to meet new friends, participate in a fun, educational activity and create something unique to you...

To book, please fill in the application form on the website http://www.kilvecourt.co.uk/course/young-songwriter/

Look forward to seeing you there!

Towcester Holiday Club 2014 end product

The young people from Towcester Holiday Club wrote their song on the story of Joseph from the Bible. In their lyrics they describe how God gave Joseph the gift of interpreting dreams, the accusations on Joseph, him being thrown into jail, and how the brothers met Joseph in Egypt years after they sold him as a slave.

Singing, Songwriting and Stage - the end result.

Supported by the South Northants Council SPLAT programme, the young people that came along to our Singing, Songwriting and Stage course worked really hard writing two songs to consolidate our theme of a 'healthy planet'. All music and lyrics are written by the young people.
Lucie Diedhiou and I worked closely with the participants, Lucie coaching vocals to ensure they got the best out of their voices.
Lucie also worked on singing technique, we used Michael Jackson's Earth Song which they sang live in the performance to parents.

Michelle from Across the Boards Theatre helped the young people to come up with a drama piece exploring issues around saving water. She then taught them how to make their own puppets from recyclable materials. They compiled a drama on pollution using these.

The first song was written on 'saving water':



The second song was looking into 'pollution':

The Chronicle and Echo has covered our Brownie Birthday Song!!

Woohoo!! Check out the article in the Chron and Echo covering our Brownie Birthday Song!

Here's the link to hear it: http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/news/community/members-of-1st-greens-norton-brownies-join-in-100th-anniversary-celebrations-1-6202040

Girls at 1st Greens Norton Brownies have been joining in the celebrations for the national organisation’s 100th anniversary.

The Brownies took part in a range of different activities including recording their own song.

Across the Country, Brownies everywhere have been taking part in many different activities to mark the occasion. The Big Brownie Birthday celebrations have given exciting opportunities and events to nearly a quarter of a million Brownies in the UK.

1st Greens Norton Brownies, have taken part in a Starquest Event at Silverstone circuit, which took the girls on a journey through past, present and future zones. A party at Towcester Racecourse, where over 1200 Brownies from across the County joined together to take part in many varied activities including bouncy castles, spinning teacups, samba, rollercoasters and drumming. Followed by a sleepover at Towcester Leisure Centre. A big thank you must be said to the leaders and organisers who have helped give the Brownies all over Northamptonshire an unforgettable year.

To mark this milestone celebration, the girls from 1st Greens Norton Brownies were lucky enough to work with ActuallyAmy Songwriting, which is run by Amy Clayton.

Amy is a talented local young singer/songwriter who came along to help the girls put together their very own birthday song helping them form the verses and chorus, along with the musical arrangement for the backing track. They had a fantastic time recording and all sang beautifully.

Amy said: “Greens Norton Brownies were full of energy and enthusiasm in writing their song, coming up with some great lyrics and melody lines. Such a pleasure to work with!”.

Cheri O’Dell, who runs Greens Norton Brownies added: “All of the girls had a wonderful time – and what talent they have! They made us very proud when they sang their song to the rest of the District at the Towcester Racecourse event. It has been a great end to our 100th year celebrations and a brilliant experience for the girls.”

You can download the track from https://soundcloud.com/actuallyamy/100th-brownie-birthday-greens-norton-brownies

For more information regarding Brownies, visit www.girlguiding.org.uk/brownies

"Singing, Songwriting and Stage" Performing Arts Course for 8-14 year olds

In association with South Northants Council, we have our 'Singing, Songwriting and Stage' course this August at Roade Village Hall. Running for 5 days from the 4th-8th, ActuallyAmy Songwriting will be there each day to coach and guide the young people through the songwriting process. Alongside vocal expertise from Lucie Diedhiou and drama with Michelle from Across the Boards Theatre. 

It's a highly creative, fun week for your 8-14 year olds!The aim of the week is to promote individual development in young people, inspiring and encouraging each other to bring out creativity as a group.

Lucie will be working on voice projection, tone and blending, using fun warm up songs and a variety of different song styles to help each small group work together in a team.
Lucie and Amy will then work alongside each other, Amy will record groups that have already worked with Lucie to finish and complete their original songs. The key ethos of ActuallyAmy Songwriting is to promote well being and ensure every young person feels good about themselves. With some cool vocal effects and funky sounds, Amy will help the young people create their own songs from scratch.

Across the Boards Theatre’s Michelle Henry-Moore will be leading the drama strand where the children will partake in energetic teambuilding games, storytelling, role-play, improvisation and puppetry making.
This is not your typical holiday course where children are being trained to become outstanding performers, but instead is a programme which encourages creative thinking and utilises the group’s ideas and opinions, shaping these to become our finished product.

Contact Sue by phone: 01327 322334 or email: sue.carverhill@southnorthants.gov.uk to book your child's place!

100th Brownie Birthday - Greens Norton Brownies Song!

Greens Norton Brownies wrote their song to commemorate the 100th anniversary this year. Milestone!



And check out their CD artwork to go with it....

'No Matter What' - Song written at our Roade workshop

The young people in our workshop wrote their song on the topic of friendship, encouraging people, being kind and the some powerful lyrics on mental health issues. 
Guitar and Cajon parts played in by the participants.

Half term songwriting workshop - May 27th-28th Roade Village Hall

We're running a songwriting worksop at Roade Village Hall - 27^th and 28^th May 9.30am - 3.30pm. Young people aged 8-16 – come along and unleash your creative side!

    

Write and record your own song

     

     Learn about different instruments

     

     Express yourself through music

     We will have a keyboard, guitar, bass guitar and electric drum kit to demonstrate, there

     will be lots of opportunities for the participants to have a go on each instrument.

     Songs are available to download from iTunes and the Soundcloud website for free, to share with friends and family.

     The cost is £40 for for the two day course, bring a packed lunch! Contact Amy on

     07919525893 or info@actuallyamy.co.uk to book!

      

       ActuallyAmy Songwriting – ‘Motivating empowering and inspiring through song’

'Big Brownie Birthday' Songwriting workshop with Greens Norton Brownies

Did you know it's the 100th anniversary of the Brownies this year?
We have booked in a songwriting workshop with Greens Norton Brownies to take place in June.
The 'Big Brownie Birthday' started in January this year, with lots of activities to celebrate the massive milestone including a Challenge badge, a 'Euro Hop' to France or an extra special Brownie Camp.

The 'Big Brownie Birthday' gives their young people a great theme to write a song about!
To go with their song, they will be designing their own Big Brownie Birthday artwork to go in their CD case.
Looking forward to working with their young people. Song and pictures to follow!

"Light" by April Creative

The second day of our April Creative workshop today and we moved smoothly into the theme of 'light'.

Lovely work with some vocal harmony and some great rapping.