EFDSS
The English Folk Dance and Song Society (EFDSS) is the national folk arts development organisation for England. They are here to champion the English traditional arts – music, song, dance, storytelling, customs and traditions – as part of the rich and diverse cultural landscape of the UK.
The Education department of the EFDSS runs classes, courses, projects and events at Cecil Sharp House and works with schools, colleges, community groups and cultural organisations across England.
Their learning programmes draw on the diverse and vibrant traditional folk arts of England, the British Isles and beyond, and focus on song, music, dance, storytelling, arts and crafts, drama, and traditions.
The EFDSS is currently developing a National Youth Folk Ensemble for England, which will aim to celebrate excellence in youth folk music, bringing together talented young folk musicians from across England to work with leading folk artists and create inspiring new arrangements of English traditional folk music.
The aims of the Ensemble are to increase opportunities for young people and audiences to discover folk music and raise the profile of folk music in England through high quality performance and learning experiences.
With young musicians at the heart of the project, the National Youth Folk Ensemble will nurture their talents, aspirations and creativity, enabling them to develop into the folk performers, educators and leaders of the future.
