Today, the Royal Irish Academy of Music (RIAM) is delighted to announce that Ace Autobody, Ireland’s largest network of collision repair specialists, will sponsor the new RIAM Spotlight Awards (previously called the High Achiever Awards) which will recognise and celebrate the diverse achievements of some of the almost 30,000 students around Ireland who engage annually with RIAM Exams.
By coming on board as Partner on the RIAM Spotlight Awards, Ace Autobody become part of this celebration of talent and achievement, supporting creativity and cultural expression in communities the length and breadth of Ireland.
The rebranding of the High Achiever Awards to the Spotlight Awards is in a renewed spirit of access and inclusivity, reflecting the journey RIAM is on to extend its Diversity, Equity, Accessibility and Inclusion credentials. As part of this process, RIAM is widening its traditional definitions of success in line with our core values of Excellence, Inspiration, Inclusion, Innovation and Support.
As Ireland’s leading collision repair specialists with the largest national network of crash repair garages, Ace Autobody exemplifies values of excellence and national reach. With a focus on ‘Quality without Compromise’, the highest standards of customer service, state-of-the-art facilities and developing the next generation of crash repair specialists, the values of Ace Autobody align with RIAM’s own.
Similarly, RIAM’s mission is to inspire excellence and reach aspiring musicians in all corners of Ireland. RIAM wants to encourage a new generation to have a positive impact on their communities and those around them. To do that, RIAM uses the power of music for change and are constantly seeking innovative ways to expand and diversify audiences, both in person and digitally.
The Spotlight Awards will develop to become a more focused outreach series of events, bringing aspiring musicians throughout Ireland close to the RIAM family, highlighting pathways for musical development and career opportunities. As part of this development, some of the most talented musicians achieving recognition in the Spotlight Awards can avail of masterclass opportunities and attend a pre-concert workshop with some of RIAM’s renowned teaching faculty.
In the company of family, friends, neighbours and fellow musicians, the Spotlight Awards will provide a wonderful platform for these inspiring musicians to share their talents.
Through annual concerts in each province (2024 regional concerts will be held in Navan, Dublin, Ennis and Sligo) culminating in a spectacular Spotlight Gala Concert in the new Whyte Recital Hall in RIAM, the Spotlight Awards will recognise not just the most talented musicians but also those who have made significant achievements on their own terms, despite any adverse challenges or obstacles to their creative development.
Paul Plunkett, Managing Director at Ace Autobody Ltd, said:
‘We are extremely proud to be associated with sponsorship of the RIAM Spotlight Awards, it is a truly unique experience for aspiring young talent. To be able to support fulfilling the dreams, and recognise the incredible talents of these young people is an honour for Ace Autobody. The success achieved is the sum of hard work and dedication repeated day in and day out by these young musicians.’
Deborah Kelleher, Director of the Royal Irish Academy of Music, said:
‘I am delighted to welcome Ace Autobody as sponsors of the Spotlight Awards. With shared values based on excellence and national reach, we are confident that this partnership can reap real impactful benefits celebrating the achievements of young musicians who aspire for success in their creative endeavours and who, in turn, inspire other young people to achieve their dreams.’