A 24-year-old music producer has spent the past two years developing a studio in Ilford and helping young people make their musical visions a reality.

Andre Thomas, of Bawdsey Avenue, Newbury Park, volunteers for two hours a day at Frenford Clubs for Young People in The Drive, working behind the mixing desk as teenagers record their own rap and MCing tracks.

His commitment in helping the club develop a studio, including a voice booth, keyboards and “industry standard equipment”, has led to him being nominated for the monthly Exchange Ilford-sponsored Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award.

Other young people in Redbridge can pay just �2 an hour to step behind the microphone and learn from Andre’s expertise as a music production and sound engineering graduate.

He said: “I love music and I love the fact they love music. I love to share that experience.

“I teach them to have a plan, don’t come at it willy nilly and you can get something done.”

Andre could win the monthly Exchange Ilford sponsored Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen award. He first came to Frenford after finishing his course when he was looking for work experience.

He said: “They were looking for someone to build a studio so I came at the right time. They gave me the freedom that I wanted and I could use the skills I’d learned.”

He is a part-time support assistant at Caterham High School, Caterham Avenue, Clayhall, who also does private production work for clients.

He started a music production class at Frenford last week.

And the six class members, aged 12 to 18, could eventually take over his duties behind the mixing desk.

He said: “I love it but I can’t do it forever.”

Under 16s pay the bargain �2 rate for studio time while 16 to 18 year olds pay �4 an hour, comparable to industry rates of more than �25 an hour, according to Andre.

The teenagers bring in instrumental tracks of songs they like and then add their own raps over the top.

Andre said: “They’re very focused on what they’re doing.”

- Each month, a winner will be selected for the Recorder/Redbridge Rotary Club Young Citizen Award, sponsored by Exchange Ilford, and will receive �40 to spend at the Exchange Ilford retailer of their choice.

The overall winner of the award, for people aged 25 and under, will be chosen next year and will receive �400.

Fill in the form on this page or email entries to alistair.kleebauer@archant.co.uk.

The award runs until December and an overall winner will be announced early next year.

The teenagers bring in instrumental tracks of songs they like and then add their own raps over the top.

Andre said: “They’re very focused on what they’re doing.”

And the six class members, aged 12 to 18, could eventually take over his duties behind the mixing desk.