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Jazz finds new home

Lauren PilatEastern Reporter

About 55 WA Youth Jazz Orchestra (WAYJO) members aged 14-25 will use the space for rehearsals, workshops, master-classes and auditions.

General manager Fiona Symonds said WAYJO had operated from WA Academy of Performing Arts for 30 years and Scotch College for two, with the move to Maylands a "huge" step forward for the organisation.

"We greatly look forward to being a part of a thriving, energetic and growing community," she said. "On a practical level, Maylands is much more convenient for our many members who live or study nearby.

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"Having the office and the rehearsal space in the same place will be a great advantage, and having security of tenure is very important.

"Unfortunately, the building would need a substantial upgrade before we could hold public performances there, but our long-term goal is to find the funding to make that happen."

Owned by the City of Bayswater, the former Maylands library site was leased to WAYJO for $6000 plus consumer price index annually over five years. Council also voted to consider the allocation of $156,000 to improve access to toilets for people with disabilities.

Ms Symonds said WAYJO members were looking forward to making a contribution to the local area.

"Obviously, there will be economic advantages to our members and their families being in Maylands on a regular basis," she said.

"We look forward to working with community groups to make sure the hall is fully utilised, to co-operating with local businesses, performing at local events and sharing our love of music with people," she added.