24 Dec 2024
‘Empowering Young People Through Creativity’ was the theme of a special event at The Pioneer Club planned, delivered, and attended by young people to showcase the power of creativity as a springboard to fulfilling careers in the arts and beyond.
The TEDx Salon evening was headlined by Rob Rolfe, drummer of the globally renowned band Enter Shikari. For Rob, this was a heartfelt return to his roots, as he began his musical journey at The Pioneer Club. In his keynote speech, he shared his creative process, career milestones, and the obstacles he overcame to achieve success in the music industry.
The event also featured an engaging panel discussion with young creatives, all of whom have ties to The Pioneer Club, moderated with a focus on real-world experiences.
The panelists included:
• Phoebe Shergold-Willis, founder of the SASA School of Performing Arts. Starting her school at 17, Phoebe emphasised how essential perseverance was in transforming her passion into a thriving business.
• George Batten, a music promoter and music business manager who grew up attending The Pioneer, shared his journey and the influence of the club in shaping his career. He spoke about how vital it is for young creatives to gain practical skills and support in the early stages of their professional journeys.
• Tamar Andrews, a 17-year-old skate coach, filmmaker, and event coordinator, reflected on how skating at the Pioneer since she was a child has instilled confidence and creativity, driving her passion for multimedia storytelling and youth coaching.
• Clara Mae Collins, a 17-year-old performing arts student. Clara hosted the panel, and shared her perspective on what creativity means for young people and how it has shaped her identity and ambitions.
A recurring theme during the panel was the significance of The Pioneer Club in the lives of its young participants. Panellists discussed what the venue represents to them: a safe space for exploration, inspiration, and collaboration.
They also shared aspirations for how The Pioneer could continue to evolve, with the audience contributing in a breakout session suggestions for additional support for young people pursuing careers in the creative industries, such as mentorship programs, expanded workshops, and more access to professional-grade equipment and resources.
