Fantasia Music School - Summer Courses for Young Musicians

I started Fantasia Music School when I was 18 years old. I had wonderful experiences on holiday music courses as a child and still have friends today that I made on those courses. There is something so special about a group of people coming together in a holiday atmosphere to share their love of music, and I wanted to pass on to other children the sense of joy, community and creativity that I experienced as a developing musician.

Fantasia began with a few of my friends as staff and a handful of young musicians as students. My parents were very involved from the start, and my mum, Mary Sutton has continued to be at the heart of Fantasia, working throughout the year on administration and during the courses as head of the pastoral team. As such, Fantasia is very much a family. Many of our students have come to us aged 6 or 7 and returned year after year until they are 18; and when they are too old to be students they return to do work experience and then as trainee staff.

Now, as we begin our 20th year, Fantasia has matured beyond belief from those early days. I am proud to say that our staff are some of the top professionals in their field and that we attract students from all parts of the country and abroad, with a wide range of musical backgrounds and interests. As has always been my aim, the courses offer students an opportunity to explore many different styles of music.

When we come away from our everyday lives to be at Fantasia, my hope is that we can feel safe in a place where we can all work hard, play hard, meet new people and discover new things about ourselves. There is no better way to see the results of such an experience than to watch the end of course concert where groups large and small, play and sing together in a celebration of gained confidence, developed musical skills, improved technique, refined musicianship and growing and lasting friendship.

I hope you will feel inspired to join our family.

“I instantly loved Fantasia. It’s a fab place where I’ve met tons of friends and get to play music all day, every day.”

Charlotte, age 17