Listen to young people of Waltham Forest expressing their thoughts and experiences of lockdown and hopes and aspirations for the future through poetry and music.

If you are aged between 11-25 and would like to see your creative response featured on this page, there is still time! Visit MVP Workshops by 31st July for full details of how to submit and for access to a series of pre-recorded masterclasses packed with helpful exercises and tips. 

RUTH - TIME 
My connection to Waltham Forest is I have lived in the area for around 7 years and I have performed in Waltham Forest a lot. I have been involved and was one of two lead singers in the Stay Another Day music video and I have been a part of the Waltham Forest musical 'Hairspray' and the Leaders programme. I enjoy doing all the subjects in the creative arts department. I enjoy watercolour painting because it is relaxing. I enjoy performing, I also write songs and I take ballet lessons too. In addition I play the oboe and piano. I have been performing since primary school and I have been singing ever since I could talk. I started to sing in church with my mum and it all took off from there.

NIÁMH – LOCKDOWN ACROSTIC
Niámh has grown up in Waltham Forest (Leytonstone). She enjoys singing, dancing and performing. Niámh is part of a street dance group and also does ballet and tap performing at various dance shows at local theatres and competitions. She enjoyed acting and last year had a lead role in her school’s production. Niámh has recently starting learning to play the clarinet and was part of the LBWF 'Young Voices' choir last year. She hasn't written much poetry before and really enjoyed this project. 

LACEY – I’LL NEVER LOVE AGAIN (BY LADY GAGA)
I attend RAW Academy in Waltham Forest. I love singing, acting and dancing. I also enjoy writing. I have been singing since I could talk and I joined my first theatre school when I was six. When I was nine, I joined RAW Academy in Waltham Forest, and this is where the real passion for a singing, acting and dancing career began. My singing teacher Nicola said she saw something special in my singing voice and I have been having singing lessons with her and attending RAW Academy every week, ever since. 

DYLAN – ‘CONTROVERSIAL’
I live in Walthamstow and I attend a music class (Beats and Bass) here. I also have drum lessons with Waltham Forest Music Service. I like to make music and draw. Making beats has meant I haven’t been too bored in lockdown, and I also do all my own artwork when I put tracks on Soundcloud (DJ Trale). I’ve only been making beats for about 6 months but I also like to collaborate with others musicians/producers.

IMOGEN - LIFE IN LOCKDOWN
Immy has lived in Leytonstone, Waltham Forest all her life. Imogen likes creative writing and has written a few pieces including poetry for the last few years. She particularly enjoys studying for her GCSE English and GCSE music subjects. She plays the piano (self-taught), enjoys sports and is in a street dance group, performing in the Redbridge Dance Galas, The Kenneth Moore Theatre and Harlow Playhouse in recent years and participating in Dance competitions. 

THE UNDECIDED

Elijah is the lead singer of the band the Undecided. Elijah lives and goes to school in Waltham Forest. Elijah has always had a passion for music. Elijah met Elliot and Isaac on the Go Live Project 2020 and decided to form the band The Undecided. Elliot is the lead guitarist of The Undecided. He is also a resident in Waltham Forest. Elliot picked up the guitar in 2019 and was looking for an opportunity to learn more about song writing and music production. That’s when he signed up for MVP Workshops Go Live project 2020. The band has expanded to 5 members, and they are busy collaborating and working on creating new music  

HASFA NAEM & SABRIYE OKZUL

Hafsa is a singer/ songwriter who lives and goes to school in Waltham Forest. Having had a passion for music she decided to take part in the Go Live Project run by MVP Workshops and funded by Peabody in 2019. She wrote the lyrics to the song Living a Lie. Seeing her words come to life through the song was a great moment for her. Since her involvement at MVP Workshops, she has gone on to write more songs and sing on bigger stages, gaining more confidence in her musical abilities Sabriye is a singer living and going to school in Waltham Forest. When she is not singing, she loves playing her violin. Sabriye joined the Go Live project in 2019, looking for an opportunity to gain more skills and confidence as a singer. Sabriye sang the song Living a Lie. Since then she has been actively working on music, performing and perfecting her instrument, the violin.

Voices Rising is produced in collaboration with Beatroots Creative, Barbican Guildhall Creative Learning, Future Creatives, MVP Workshops, Waltham Forest Music Education Hub and young people of Waltham Forest .