Key Takeaways
- Amazon Music UK schools will be equipped with complete music technology studios.
- Schools in four cities will receive recording, DJ, and production equipment.
- The program aims to expand access to hands-on music education.
Amazon Music and Restore the Music UK are expanding their music education program to 30 schools across four UK cities, providing equipment and studios to widen access to music technology.
Amazon Expands Music Technology Access
The Amazon x RTM Music Tech Award enters its second year, with Amazon Music UK schools in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Newcastle receiving complete music technology studios. The program is run with Restore the Music UK, a charity focused on improving access to music education.
The studios include microphones, audio interfaces, professional headphones and monitors, recording and production software, DJ equipment, controllers and instruments. The equipment is intended to give students practical experience with tools used in music production, DJing, sound engineering, podcasting and digital composition.
“Giving young people the chance to experience the transformative power of music, no matter where they live or the resources available at their school, is so important,” said Laura Lukanz, head of music for the UK and ANZ at Amazon Music.
She said the expansion is designed to give students access to professional-grade tools used by artists, producers, DJs and other creators.
Program Builds On First-Year Results
The initiative began in 2025 with support from then-Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and has already brought musical equipment to more than 30 schools, according to Amazon.
One participating school is the London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, where students are producing DJ sets and original compositions. They are mentored by Komenz, a sound engineer for Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy.
Amazon has also presented prizes through Restore the Music’s Battle of the Bands awards. Prizes for Amazon Music UK schools include access to the Amazon Music recording studio and selected musical instruments.
“Partnering with Amazon and Amazon Music on the Music Tech Award has enabled RTM to widen our reach and equip schools with much-needed, up-to-date equipment,” said Polly Stepan, CEO of Restore the Music UK.
Stepan said hands-on music-making can make music education more accessible and engaging for students who may be harder to reach through traditional classroom approaches.
Schools Receive Bespoke Equipment Support
The expansion comes as access to music education and school funding remains a subject of discussion across the UK music sector. Amazon Music and Restore the Music UK say the program aims to help address unequal access to music education by directing comprehensive equipment to schools that need it most.
Eligible Amazon Music UK schools can apply through Restore the Music UK and identify their specific equipment needs. The organization then uses those details to create a bespoke setup for each participating school.
Amazon is donating the equipment with support from music technology companies including AlphaTheta, Focusrite, Sennheiser, InMusic and PDT. The companies are contributing products across recording, monitoring, DJing and music-making categories.
The school program is part of Amazon’s broader UK support for creative talent, which also includes the Amazon Regional Creatives Fund, Step Up Fund, Beyond the Music partnership, Amazon Music for Artists Master Classes and POWER UP.
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