Forget an uninviting assembly hall and slightly off-key scratch orchestra! Access to Music’s sixth annual student Awards Ceremony was hosted by laugh-a-minute arts/music presenter Lauren Laverne and saw the cream of ATM talent perform alongside the likes of award-winning jazz saxophonist Soweto Kinch.

Nitin Sawhney and Goldie were guests of honour, with the latter being so impressed with one young performer, 17-year old singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran, as to offer him a recording session in his studio!

The Awards Ceremony took place on Wednesday 3 December at London’s Mermaid Centre over looking the Thames. Echoing the prestigious awards ceremonies of the music industry from the MOBOs to the Mercury Music Awards, Lauren Laverne was engaged to present awards for outstanding achievement in the field of popular music.

The event celebrated the achievements of Access to Music students in areas including musicianship, songwriting and entrepreneurial pizzazz. It also featured performances from the cream of ATM talent.

Lauren Laverne said: 'I think it’s a really nice experience when anybody has worked hard. It’s a truism that when you’re first starting out in this game that’s probably the bit where you work the hardest. People are really putting in the leg work to get their foot on the ladder and it’s nice that they're acknowledged before they make it.'

'If you talk to anyone in a band, the bits that are really really exciting (and I was talking to Alex James from Blur about it the other day) are your firsts: the first time you hear yourself on the radio, the first time you play a gig. And this is part of people's firsts, part of the most exciting part of their career.'

Sharliza Rahman, songwriter and front women with original band The Rrrs took home the National Student Music Award. Originally from Singapore she came to the UK to study when she was just 17. 'Access to Music does what it says on the tin, and then some. I've gained access to expertise, mentorship and important connections. Don't let self-doubt stop you from getting on the programme!' she says.

Sharliza has been tutored by Luke Hannam, head of the British Academy of New Music by day and twilight bass player for the likes of Massive Attack and Kylie. Respect where respect is due, Luke explains 'Sharliza didn’t rest until every last drop of information had been identified, scrutinised and applied directly to the cause of pushing her music forward...inspirational!!'.

Christmas came early for Norwich singer-songwriter Ed when Goldie promptly invited him to his London studios to record. Ed is managed by Crown Music, who also manage the Sugarbabes and Get Cape Wear Cape Fly. He is already working on his third album and is attracting industry attention gigging across London. November saw him support Sweet about Me star Gabrielle Cilmi and Jay Sean!He is also a member of the National Youth Music Theatre and National Youth Theatre and studies at the British Academy of New Music in London.

Goldie commented: "The awards evening was really really good, very professional. I was really impressed with that Ed kid. I think he’s going to be giant. I’d actually produce that kid. I think he’s got a really raw talent.' Ed responded: 'I really really enjoyed the event: everyone running it and performing in it was really nice. I was impressed by Soweto Kinch’s performance and the back stage crew kept everything running smoothly'.

Martin Smith, Head of Marketing enthused: 'We were thrilled by the standard of music and achievement at this year's awards ceremony and were so pleased that our students gained so much from it. ATM is bridging the gap between education and the industry and this showcase is a tangible manifestation of this. It is testimony to the hard work and talent of our students who deserve to be recognised and rewarded in same way as the stars of the industry'.

Past ATM students to receive awards are vocalist Ami Richardson who has since toured with Basement Jaxx and KT Tunstall, Richard Lianhart who has performed on London’s West End in Daddy Cool, Mikey Glennister who plays with Get Cape Wear Cape Fly and Iman, who appeared on the Giles Peterson compilation Brownswood Bubblers.