University News Last updated 11 September
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is delighted to announce the appointment of Emma Bryden as the Head of Young RBC. In this new senior role, Emma will be responsible for our thriving Junior Department and Learning & Participation team, and for leading strategic initiatives across the whole range of our work with young people of school age, including partnerships across the Music and Drama education sector.
Emma joins us after 6 years at Stowe School as Director of Music and (from 2023) Faculty Chair for Arts and Culture. An accomplished cellist and teacher, she studied at Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Royal College of Music and most recently for her PhD here at RBC. She also taught at the RWCMD Junior Department for 6 years.
Emma said: "I am absolutely delighted to be joining Royal Birmingham Conservatoire as Head of Young RBC and to have the opportunity to work with the exceptional staff, students and wider community that make the Conservatoire such a vibrant and inspiring place. The arts have the power to transform lives, build confidence and create a sense of belonging, and I am passionate about ensuring that those opportunities are accessible to every young person, regardless of background or circumstance. I look forward to collaborating with colleagues, partners and communities to develop ambitious and inspiring opportunities for children and young people, strengthen engagement across the region, and create new pathways into artistic participation and education."
RBC Principal Stephen Maddock said: “As we say farewell to Tim English after his successful 27 years leading the RBC Junior Department, we are delighted to welcome Emma to this new expanded role. The challenges facing Music and Drama teaching in schools are well known; Emma shares my strong belief that these opportunities – whether to take first steps, or to train with the aim of attending a conservatoire and having a professional performance career – should be available to all young people regardless of their background. We look forward to welcoming her to the RBC team.”