The YAMawards
Celebrating the exceptional in live music for young audiences. Honouring creativity and innovation by professional acts from solo artists to full orchestras.
Our Mission
Inspiring the next generation
The Young Audiences Music Awards (YAMawards) is a global programme by JM International. Every year, we run an international call for exceptional live music productions for young audiences.
Our purpose goes beyond the stage—we aim to increase access to high-quality arts, foster intercultural dialogue, and nurture understanding among young people worldwide. The winners are crowned at the annual YAMsession, an international showcase conference hosted in a different country each year.
The Categories
Six ways to win
Best Small Ensemble for Young Audiences
€1000Outstanding performances by smaller groups creating intimate and powerful musical experiences.
Best Large Ensemble for Young Audiences
€1000Groundbreaking productions by orchestras and large groups scaling live music for youth.
Best Opera for Young Audiences
€1000 (Powered by RESEO)Recognizing innovation in bringing the operatic art form to younger generations.
The Ebbe Hoyrup Award for Best School Concert for Young Audiences
€1000Celebrating excellence in educational performances that bring live music directly into schools.
Best Participatory Production with Young Audiences
€1000Productions where young people are actively involved in the creative process and performance.
Public Choice
International RecognitionVoted by the global community, celebrating the production that captures the hearts of the public.
The Experts
Meet the Jury
International professionals from leading institutions dedicated to live music for young audiences bring their experience to the YAMawards jury.
Birgit Hinterholzer
Director, JM Austria / Jeunesses
Austria
Jesper Gottlieb
Producer, Live Music in Schools (LMS)
Denmark
Nikola Nejčev
Manager, JM Serbia
Serbia
Sophie Im
Artistic Programmer, JM France
France
Elfa Lilja Gísladóttir
Manager, List Fyrir Alla
Iceland
Matt Clark
Programs & Marketing Director, JMI
Belgium
Noora Herranen
Director, Konserttikeskus
Finland
Verica Ajtovska
Manager, JM Macedonia
Macedonia
Emmanuelle Soupart
Artistic Director, JM Wallonie-Bruxelles
Belgium
Morten Brenne
Producer, Kulturtanken
Norway
Patrick Lenaers
Director, Jeugd en Muziek
Belgium
Helena Rung
Producer, JM Sweden
Sweden
Naima Balic
Board Member, JM Croatia
Croatia
Sarah Thery
Board Member, RESEO
Belgium
Hall of Fame
Previous Winners
Previous winners include Trio Oro, Musiikkisirkus Avain hukassa, MishMash Productions and the Scottish Ensemble, At Your Doorstep / Vor Deiner Tür, English Touring Opera, Heartbeat, M'lart production, Barokksolistene, Harpa, Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra and David Chocron, City Chamber Orchestra of Hong Kong, Almir & Daniel, Oorkaan, Gabor Vosteen, Bach in the Street, Cie Balle Rouge, Glyndeborne Youth Opera, Rikskonsertene / Kulturtanken, Smalands Musik & Teater, Body Rhythm Factory, Zonzo Compagnie, Umculo, Muziektheater Transparant.