Meet Lucy Rowan

7th July 2024

Meet our flautist

Hear how Lucy Rowan, a flautist from Scotland, is looking forward to inspiring young musicians in Antigua.

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Lucy Rowan

We are thrilled to introduce Lucy Rowan, a talented flautist from Moffat, Scotland, who will be joining the Commonwealth Resounds team for our upcoming trip to Antigua. Lucy is currently an undergraduate student at the Royal College of Music (RCM), studying with Gitte Marcusson and Emer McDonough as a Leverhulme Scholar.

A New Musical Journey

Lucy’s passion for music is evident through her charismatic playing and dedication to showcasing the diverse repertoire of the flute. She has performed with various ensembles at RCM, including the Philharmonic, Repertoire Orchestra, and Wind Ensemble, and has participated in numerous chamber music concerts and external events. Additionally, she is the principal flute of the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland’s Symphony Orchestra and plays with the Odyssey Festival Orchestra. Before college, Lucy was a flautist in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Before starting her studies in London, Lucy was a pupil of Sheena Gordon at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland’s Junior Department and studied at the Music School of Douglas Academy. She spent 10 years at the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, developing her skills and passion for music.

Lucy is also a keen chamber musician and a founding member of the Taleggio Ensemble, a wind quintet and piano ensemble, as well as the Apollo Duo for flute and harp. She has engaged internationally, working with Professor Mario Caroli at the Saline Royal Academy in France and attending the Flautissimo International Flute Festival in 2021 and 2023. In September 2024, Lucy will attend the Conservatoire de Paris for an ERASMUS+ programme, studying with Philippe Bernold.

“I believe spending this time teaching and collaborating with young people in Antigua will be a life-changing experience and will give me a completely new perspective on classical music and its importance around the world. The freedom and creativity that comes with making music as a young person is so special! After having met the Antigua & Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra in London, I am very excited to see them again and I look forward to seeing the result of their musicians creativity and hard work!”

Wondering what is happening in the photos? Click on the photos above to find out more about what you can see.

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Learn More

Introducing Ka Youn Yoo

6th July 2024

Introducing Ka Youn Yoo

Find out more about our trip to Antigua and Barbuda

Meet Ka Youn Yoo

We are pleased to introduce Ka Youn Yoo, an exceptionally talented composer from South Korea, as one of our key tutors for the upcoming Commonwealth Resounds initiatives. Ka Youn has just graduated with a master’s degree in Composition for Screen from the Royal College of Music (RCM).

Her compositions have earned her international recognition, with premieres at prestigious venues such as Cadogan Hall in London, The Korean Ministry of Unification (대한민국 통일부) and National Gugak Center (국립국악원) in South Korea, Dobříš Castle in the Czech Republic, and Government House in Antigua and Barbuda. Her global experiences and innovative approach to music make her a remarkable addition to our team.

Global Recognition

Ka Youn is actively involved in the film industry, working on several short films with emerging directors in both the UK and Korea. She is represented by Lemon Sound, a notable music production company based in South Korea. This collaboration highlights her dynamic range and ability to bridge different cultural and artistic landscapes.

This will be Ka Youn’s second tour of Antigua and Barbuda, where she will once again contribute her expertise and passion for music to inspire young musicians on the island. Her return is highly anticipated, and we are excited about the creative energy she will bring to our workshops and performances.

Revisiting the islands

Ka Youn is returning to Antigua & Barbuda for her third tour, having been a member of the composition team where she led training sessions for teachers in the island. This year, Ka Youn will lead workshops in film composition, supporting students from across the Caribbean. We look forward to the incredible impact she will have on the young musicians of Antigua and Barbuda.

Wondering what is happening in the photos? Click on the photos above to find out more about what you can see.

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Learn More

The Antigua Team: Meet Lily

4th July 2024

The Antigua Team: Meet Lily Hesper-Dugdale

Meet Lily, a talented Clarinetist from The Royal College of Music

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Lily Hesper-Dugdale

We are delighted to welcome Lily Hesper-Dugdale, a talented clarinettist from the Royal College of Music (RCM), to our upcoming trip to Antigua. Lily is currently halfway through her undergraduate degree at RCM, where she studies as a Douglas and Hilda Simmonds Scholar under the guidance of Timothy Lines and Richard Hosford. This September, she will begin an exchange placement at the University of Music and Performing Arts Vienna for one semester.

Lily had the opportunity to meet and perform with some of the young musicians from the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra at Marlborough House, London, in October 2023. She expressed her excitement about the upcoming trip: “I had the pleasure of meeting and performing with some of the young musicians from the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra in October 2023, and I am really looking forward to working with them again. Their musical experiences are incredibly inspiring, and I can’t wait to learn more from them.”

The Antigua trip will feature a series of workshops and performances aimed at fostering creativity and musical growth among young musicians.

Inspiring the Next Generation

Lily’s journey as a clarinettist has been marked by notable achievements, including being a finalist at Guildhall’s Lutine Prize. Her dedication to her craft and her vibrant approach to performance make her a valuable addition to the Commonwealth Resounds team.

During the trip, Lily will engage with young musicians, offering guidance and inspiration to help them explore their musical potential. She aims to create an environment where creativity can flourish and where young musicians feel empowered to experiment with new styles and ideas.

The Commonwealth Resounds is excited to have Lily on board for this impactful initiative. Her presence will undoubtedly enrich the experience for all participants and contribute to the overarching goal of fostering a love for music and creative expression in young people.

Wondering what is happening in the photos? Click on the photos above to find out more about what you can see.

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Learn More

The Antigua Team: Meet Rosemary Ball

4th July 2024

Rosemary Ball's Journey to Antigua

Discover how Rosemary Ball, a talented saxophonist from the Royal College of Music, is set to inspire young musicians in Antigua.

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Rosemary Ball

We are thrilled to welcome Rosemary Ball, a gifted saxophonist, currently studying at the Royal College of Music (RCM) as a Robert Sutherland award holder. Rosemary joins our upcoming trip to Antigua. The former Saxophonist with the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain, Rosemary is halfway through her undergraduate course at RCM and is eager to share her passion for music with the young musicians of Antigua.

Rosemary has expressed her excitement about the trip: ‘I’m especially looking forward to getting to know the young musicians and the way they think about music. I hope we all can inspire them to unleash their creativity and experiment with new styles of music.’

The Antigua trip will feature a series of composition workshops and performances aimed at fostering creativity and musical growth among young musicians.

Welcome Rosemary Ball

A New Musical Journey

The Commonwealth Resounds is delighted to welcome Rosemary Ball, an exceptionally talented saxophonist from the Royal College of Music, to our Antigua trip. Rosemary’s passion for music and dedication to education make her an invaluable addition to our team. Her presence is set to inspire and enrich the experience of all participants, fostering a deep love for music and creative expression among the young musicians of Antigua. We are excited to see the positive impact she will have on this initiative, helping to cultivate a vibrant and innovative musical community.

Wondering what is happening in the photos? Click on the photos above to find out more about what you can see.

Find out more about our 2024 Antigua Trip

Learn More

Play on Fund

2nd July 2024

Empowering Global Music Initiatives

PlayON Fund with ABRSM

Join us in celebrating the launch of our latest PlayON funding, dedicated to supporting grassroots music projects worldwide through our partnership with ABRSM.

Introducing the 2023 PlayON Fund

The Commonwealth Resounds is thrilled to announce the second year of our PlayON fund, an initiative dedicated to supporting grassroots music projects across the globe. This year, we are proud to partner with ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music), a leading music education organisation that is generously funding these impactful projects.

Our mission is to harness the power of music to transform lives and create lasting positive change. Through the PlayON fund, we provide essential resources and support to music projects that make a difference in communities worldwide.

Stay tuned for updates on our PlayON recipients and their incredible work in using music to empower and uplift individuals and communities.

ABRSM: A Champion of Music Education

Nurturing Musical Talent Globally

Empowering Communities Through Music

Play On Fund Recipients

The Commonwealth Resounds is proud to support a diverse array of music projects through the Play On fund. In Mozambique, the Centre for the Acquisition of Academic Competencies for the Future is using music to enhance life skills and future employment opportunities for youth. In Africa, the Music in Africa Foundation is preserving traditional instruments, while the Antigua and Barbuda Youth Symphony Orchestra is offering essential composition training in the Caribbean. Brass for Africa is transforming lives in Uganda, Rwanda, and Liberia by empowering young people through music education. In Kenya, the Ruben Centre Orchestra is improving the life prospects of disadvantaged youth through music workshops. La Alianza Guatemala is expanding its music therapy project for at-risk children, and Equal Education Chances in Nigeria is tackling barriers to musical access for young people with disabilities. Education Africa is creating new opportunities for young disabled musicians in South Africa. These projects are making a significant impact, fostering musical talent, and creating lasting positive change in their communities.