Forest Arts Music Hub

Jude Zarzycka

A former member of the National Youth Wind Orchestra of Great Britain, Jude studied clarinet at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire with Sally Harrop, Michael Harris, Joan Enric Lluna and Andrew Roberts. She now works as a freelance musician in a variety of settings. She performs at weddings, recital and functions nationwide with her ensembles Trio Capriccio (a woodwind trio) and Sax Central (saxophone quartet). She regularly plays various woodwind instruments for musical theatre productions in the area. Venues include the Birmingham Hippodrome, Alex and Rep, Wolverhampton Grand, and for the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon (sometimes onstage in costume!). She also performed on the American premiere tour of The Opera Show and recently appeared on stage as part of the orchestra performing on The Who Hits Back tour. She has always loved teaching alongside her performing career, and now runs Music Monsters Solihull, which is an innovative learn-through-play piano programme for young children.

Toby Smith

Toby has nearly 30 years years experience in music education management having led Post 16 music colleges and two Music Hubs. Toby is currently head of Rotherham Music and is currently leading on an Arts Council funded project to create Rotherham's first opera to be written and performed by 1500 children. As a guitarist Toby has played for Harry Jordan, Barolo and The Klatter performing across the UK for more than 30 years. Toby has also had experience in setting up and running a guitar pedal effects company.

Edward Lee

Edward was a music scholar at Aldridge School from 1999-2006 with his main instruments being the piano, organ and clarinet.  He attended various orchestras and bands held at Walsall Arena and Arts Centre (formerly Forest Arts Centre) during his school years which he thoroughly enjoyed.  Edward was a church organist for 15 years at St. Matthews Perry Beeches church and has been Pelsall Ladies Choir Accompanist for the last 21 years, a position he took up when he was at school at the age of 14. Edward also accompanies various other singers and choirs in performances at various charity concerts and stage shows within the local area. Music has been such a big part of Edward’s life and he is extremely grateful to Walsall Music Hub who inspired and encouraged him to engage in music, which he still continues to enjoy very much to this day. Edward believes the benefits of engaging in music are endless for all, particularly for our young people and therefore we should encourage engagement in music at every opportunity. Edward is delighted to have been asked to be an adjudicator for the Walsall Young Music Star final and therefore would like to wish all of the WYMS soloists the very best of luck.