YAMAHA EDUCATION NEWS |
Yamaha Integrates Yamaha Music Schools With Broader Educational Activities
Yamaha Music UK has announced major changes that see the Yamaha Music School (YMS) network integrating with the company's acclaimed and award-winning mainstream educational initiatives. Mike Ketley, senior director and brand manager, has now been appointed general manager of YMS as the 9,000 strong pupil operation becomes a mainstream corporate activity. Previously the management of the schools had been the remit of the company's electronic keyboard division since keyboard students have historically formed the majority of pupils. The student population and number of state school locations has greatly expanded in recent years as the company have diversified into guitar, drum, vocal and woodwind tuition. YMS activities will combine with other Yamaha educational programmes, including the production of the popular YES (Yamaha Education Supplement) magazine, European scholarship programs, MusicQuest activities, ongoing conservatoire links and artists in education schemes. This will allow the company to better serve its education and student communities. Newly appointed education manager, Bill C Martin, will be working closely with Mike Ketley to optimise this combination. The regional management of the YMS network will be maintained by Nigel Burrows. Mike Ketley comments: "Education and learning is the cornerstone of the Yamaha philosophy. These changes bring YMS into the centre of our educational programmes. Merging YMS with all our other educational activities will provide us with great opportunities to improve our offer to our colleagues in the education sector and all those people currently learning to play or yearning to play! We are already working on some new and innovative plans." The re-organisation harmonises all the educational initiatives conducted by the three divisions (Acoustic, Professional Music and Electronic Keyboard) by bringing them under one management plan, it will also provide new opportunities to cross-promote and more effectively allow teachers and schools to access Yamaha's professional artist and endorsee roster. (ends) (posted 14/4/08) |
