Francesca Tortora
Blog posts in total 41
Posts
Top 5 things you want to know about Music Fellowships
The Music Fellowships scheme is now in full swing as applications and paperwork start to come in at PAF HQ. Don't panic though - we're nowhere near 100 applications just yet but time is ticking on so if you haven't already started, don't wait. Fill out the Eligibility Quiz, send us your eligibil...
How Awards for Young Musicians could help you
We know there are lots of talented musicians out there who need support with their music making, particularly when it comes to hiring or purchasing an instrument. So, we asked Beverley Mason, Trustee at Awards for Young Musicians, to tell us how they might be able to help. "As an assessor for t...
Have you considered Grants for the arts?
Whatever the outcome of your application to our music schemes this year, there are lots of other funding opportunities out there to help your music projects and ambitions get off the ground. Rachel Nelken, Relationship Manager - Music for Arts Council England, tells us about what's available thr...
Music Fellowships - the scheme from a Trustee's perspective
August is now upon us (when did that happen?!) and in just under two weeks time our Music Fellowships scheme will be open for applications. Sally Stote (BBC PAF Trustee) is part of our Grant Giving Committee, which will be making the final decision as to which applications receive a grant once t...
Be our guest: What it's like to host a Fellow
On the 13th August, the next round of this year's funding will be on offer through our Music Fellowships scheme. This scheme will be open to organisations who hope to host a Fellow in the early stages of their career. Music companies, organisations, venues and festivals from across the UK wil...
Enjoy the Ride: Commissioning Music Part 3
Ed McKeon, Co-Director of 'Third Ear Music', finishes off his series of blogs on commissioning music with some tips on how to capitalise on the process - and comes to the end of his mystery tour. "Getting the most out of the process Whilst commissioning can happen in a 'vacuum', remote from...
Enjoy the Ride: Commissioning Music Part 2
In yesterday's blog, Ed McKeon, Co-Director of 'Third Ear', shared with us some motives for commissioning music, and now he contributes further knowledge on how to go about the process. "Key Principles The key relationship is that between the music director and the composer. S/he has to be bot...
Enjoy the Ride of Commissioning Music
In our year of music, we thought it fitting to provide some more information on how to go about commissioning. Ed McKeon, Co-Director of 'Third Ear', shares his experience and expertise of music production with the help of a mystery tour, some second hand clothes… and a country pub. ...
Corali Dance: Bethan's experience
Corali Dance Company - one of our Community Dance Scheme winners - put the funding they had won in 2011 towards a stimulating opportunity for some of its dancers. Members of their Company were able to undertake an intensive personal development workshop with a host of professional performing art...
Aimee's Dancing World
BBC Performing Arts Fund Dance Fellow, Aimee Williamson, recently had her premiere with Ballet Cymru. Still fresh out of her studies, Aimee reflects on her first professional experiences so far and how the support of the company has helped her develop. "When I started the F...
Education Practicalities
It's getting to that time of year when we share our congratulations to everyone who has gained an admission to their respective Performing Arts schools or colleges! For many this news may be sweet and sour: 'I've got in, but how can I stay in?' The pressure of paying tuition fees is arguably at ...
A guide to commissioning from Making Music
Grants of up to £10,000 are currently on offer via our Community Music scheme to help groups looking to take on a more ambitious project that includes the commission of a new piece of music. Groups applying under the scheme may have undertaken a commission in the past, but many groups will be ...
Dancing with balletLORENT
John Kendall -2011 Dance Fellow with balletLORENT - has been working with the company on tours of two distinctly different shows. Over the duration of the Fellowship, John will be involved with the creation of new work and performing on tour while also delivering an education programme. John t...
Community Music - the scheme from a Trustee's perspective
In just a couple of weeks' time we will be launching our first funding scheme of the year - Community Music - to fund grass roots music making and performing groups. Kate Danielson (BBC PAF Trustee) is part of our Grant Giving Committee, which will be giving the green light to successful applica...
Life as a BBC PAF Dance Producer Fellow
Yassmin Foster - one of our 2011 Dance Fellows - is working with the Association of Dance of the African Diaspora (ADAD) on producing a three day conference. Yassmin answers that very first hurdle: where do you even begin? "I am well into my Dance Producer Fellowship at ADAD. There is a buzz ...
The Voice goes live!
After the excitement of the battles rounds last weekend on The Voice, this Saturday sees the first live show on BBC One with Team Tom and Team Will facing the public vote. As a charity that supports and develops talent across the performing arts - from music to dance to theatre, from grassroot...
Life on tour
Aimee Williamson was awarded a BBC Performing Arts Fund Dance Fellowship with Ballet Cymru last year. Before becoming a full-time company member in March 2012, Aimee was invited to join the company on tour with their popular production of 'Beauty and the Beast' in the UK and Italy. Aimee kept a...
The unique dance landscape in Northern Ireland
In 1996 Sandie Fisher co-founded Assault Events, a performing arts company in Northern Ireland and one of the winners of our Dance Fellowship scheme last year. Over the past 15 years the company has helped to shape the dance scene in Northern Ireland but as Sandie explains, there is still a lot ...
Stepping into dance
Central Youth Theatre - one of the winners of our Community Dance scheme - have been encouraging its members to step out of their comfort zone. Having taken on a dance project for the very first time this year, the experience has been both challenging and rewarding. Jessica Collings, Marketin...
Training in Musical Theatre winners announced!
We are pleased to announce the winners of our Training in Musical Theatre scheme! Through the scheme this year a total of £150,000 has been awarded to 62 students to contribute towards the costs of their musical theatre training. 10 drama schools and colleges successfully applied for a grant....
