Youth Music, the UK’s leading young people’s music charity, has today announced the nominees for this year’s Youth Music Awards, in association with Hal Leonard Europe.
Among the nominees is Oxford musician Rebecca Tunley, recognised for the Inspirational Music Leader Award.
Having dedicated over 15 years to working alongside learning-disabled young people, Rebecca served as Head of Music at one of the UK’s largest special schools while completing a master’s degree in Music Therapy.
She now works as Family Support Co-ordinator and Designated Safeguarding Lead for Soundabout, while continuing to compose and record professionally.
This year’s awards will also celebrate Leeds-based band English Teacher, winners of the Grassroots Hero Award for their unwavering commitment to supporting grassroots music venues and projects.
The band will receive their award at the Youth Music Awards, in association with Hal Leonard Europe and media partner Notion, on Wednesday 15 October 2025 at Troxy, London.
English Teacher were recognised for their advocacy and support of overlooked, underfunded, and unrepresented grassroots projects.
They have a long-standing history with Youth Music, including mentoring at the Youth Music-funded project Music:Leeds in 2019 and winning the Rising Star Award (Artist) in 2022, before achieving a Mercury Prize milestone in 2024.
The 2025 awards will also see the Music Producer Award named in honour of Maxi Jazz, with Sister Bliss presenting the award.
The evening will spotlight Youth Music’s Rescue The Roots campaign, launched to protect grassroots youth music projects from closure. Every pound raised will be matched up to £1 million, creating £2 million to support youth organisations and emerging creatives in urgent need.
The Youth Music Awards remain a unique celebration of musical talent, advocacy, and community impact, shining a light on both emerging artists and the inspirational leaders shaping the future of the UK music scene.
Youth Music CEO, Matt Griffiths, said:
“We have been blown away by the quality of entries for this year’s Youth Music Awards. This is what the Youth Music Awards are all about – recognising and praising the people within this industry who are making real waves.
“With the arts continuing to suffer from repeated funding cuts, it’s our mission at Youth Music to continue spotlighting change makers within the industry and raising funds via our Rescue the Roots campaign, to ensure that this quality of work can continue in the future and support many more young people with their musical journeys.”
