A new academy has been launched to deliver weekend sessions for young musicians in Cardiff in the Vale.
The 'Academi', run by CF Music Education, has been developed by tutors with experience of delivering activities for students at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Initially, weekly sessions will be held each Saturday at Stanwell School in Penarth and at Whitchurch High School in Cardiff, with scope to expand to other venues across the region.
The academy forms part of Cardiff Council's music strategy, aimed at putting music at the heart of the Welsh capital's development as well as developing new talent.
Council leader Huw Thomas said: "Access to high quality music education from an early age can provide so many opportunities for Cardiff's young people, fostering a lifelong love of music and helping them grow and develop."
"Beyond that, it's also vital if we are to continue producing the talented musicians that underpin Cardiff's dynamic music economy, which is worth around £100 million annually to the city."
CF Music Education, run jointly between Cardiff and Vale of Glamorgan councils, is preparing to celebrate its 50th anniversary next year with the opening of a new 'satellite' centre based at the Memo Arts Centre in Barry, along with a further site at Pentwyn Leisure Centre.
They will provide free taster sessions to children from low-income families.
Around 12,000 children a year are already involved with the music service, which helps to deliver the national plan for music education through a wide range of sessions and programmes.
As well as the new Academi sessions, the service is planning to offer musicianship, vocal and aural skills classes, together with tuition.
Cllr Thomas added: "Across the UK, the music sector continues to face challenges, but it is clear that here in Cardiff, our Music Strategy is making a positive difference."
"In the last few months alone, it has seen young musicians given the opportunity to perform at Clwb Ifor Bach through our Little Gigs programme with the support of the National Music Service, a string of exciting pioneering and emerging new artists announced to play the new Cardiff Music City Festival in just a few weeks time, and now the introduction of these additional new weekend ‘academi' sessions, which will play an important role in helping produce the city's next generation of musicians."
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