ELAM (East London Arts & Music) will celebrate its 10th anniversary with an event at Abbey Road Studios on May 12.
Founder Will Kennard of Chase & Status speaks in the latest edition of Music Week about the sixth form college, which opened its doors 10 years ago in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. He remains closely involved in ELAM along with his brother Charlie Kennard.
The Abbey Road event will bring together key supporters, industry partners and talented alumni to highlight ELAM’s impact over the past decade. The anniversary event will feature exclusive performances from current ELAM trainees and alumni, whose success stories speak to the school’s transformative influence.
The Ofsted outstanding college was established to provide trainees with a free, two-year specialist education in Music, Games Design or Film & Television studies. Its principal goal was to accelerate progress towards a more diverse and equitable creative industry.
Notable alumni include members of BRIT-winning group FLO, Nia Smith, Tendai, Girli, Sekou and Chrissi with past students currently signed to Warner, Island, Polydor, Sony RCA, Def Jam and AWAL.
A number of alumni also work across the industry in production, marketing and manufacturing for organisations such as Universal Music Group. Governors include Selina Webb (ex-Universal) and Obi Asika (UTA/TMG).
“ELAM is unlike any school I’ve been lucky enough to visit,” said Stormzy. “I’ve been blessed to work with some of the incredible talent that has come from there and in doing so am proud to support this important part of our education system.”
Working alongside leading industry partners such as Universal Music Group, Ridley Scott Associates, UTA and more and through an innovative, hands-on curriculum, trainees gain real-world experience, mentorship from industry professionals, and access to industry standard facilities.
“As ELAM approaches this milestone 10-year anniversary, we are celebrating a decade of impact, and the achievements of our alumni, trainees and industry partners,” said a statement from the college. “This event will be a testament to ELAM’s ongoing mission: empowering young creatives and transforming the future of the creative industry.”
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