Tomorrow’s Warriors co-founder and CEO Janine Irons MBE FRSA has been honoured among 24 peers and trailblazers in the industry by Music Week as part of its highly prestigious Women In Music Roll Of Honour 2020.
Tomorrow’s Warriors believes in a world where opportunities for participation, ownership and leadership in music and the arts are available to all and its CEO Janine Irons is a woman with a purpose. With three decades of service to the music industry as joint leader and founder of the acclaimed and respected talent development organisation, she has always been a passionate advocate for excellence, equality and an inclusive approach in the design and delivery of music education. Through her work, she has delivered alongside co-founder Gary Crosby OBE, against considerable odds, a unique organisation that with its focus on black and female talent and those facing socio economic barriers, truly gives back and significantly contributes to the progress of young talent progression, diversity & social mobility in the arts in this country.
With a dedicated space to host its Learning Programme at SouthBank Centre, Tomorrow’s Warriors is proud to be a National Portfolio Organisation of Arts Council England and a PRS Foundation Talent Development Partner. All three organisations have congratulated Janine on her prestigious honour:
Gillian Moore, Director of Music at London’s Southbank Centre said “Janine has worked cheerfully, tirelessly and with clear-eyed purpose for the benefit of young musicians for decades. She is utterly determined that making music should not be tied to privilege and that everybody has a right to the very best in music making. The fact that so many of our internationally renowned young jazz musicians have come through Tomorrow’s Warriors is testament to this: it could not have happened without Janine.”
Dr Claire Mera-Nelson, Director, Music, Arts Council England said “Janine Irons is an exceptional woman who has made an exceptional contribution to music. Unfailingly determined, her work to identify and nurture a generation of outstanding talent has made an inestimable difference. I couldn’t be more delighted that Janine’s incredible hard work and dedication is being recognised through this award today.”
Joe Frankland, CEO, PRS Foundation said “We are delighted that Janine has been recognised in this year’s Women In Music Roll Of Honour list. We’ve seen, through her involvement in our Talent Development Partner network, that Janine works tirelessly behind the scenes to transform the lives and careers of hundreds of jazz musicians. Tomorrow’s Warriors’ accessible, collaborative and passionate approach gets the most out of young people from all backgrounds and it’s most telling that all those who have gone on to secure critical acclaim internationally remain active champions, advocates and friends of Tomorrow’s Warriors. What a legacy that continues to grow thanks to Janine!”
Delighted for Janine, so well deserved.