What I like about NOYO: I like being part of a group who share my passion and knowledge for playing music.

More about me: I enjoy reading, doing puzzles and playing piano. I have a cat who I’m trying to teach tricks to. Some of my favourite artists are Linkin Park, Coldplay and Eminem. I also have recently started my own social media channel!

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I get to play lots of different music and have a lot of fun.

More about me: I really like reading, listening to music and coffee!

NOYO Ensemble: London

Member of the NOYO Social Media Team.

What I like about NOYO: I’m enjoying the non-traditional arrangements of iconic music – I never thought I’d hear saxophone in Vivaldi, but NOYO makes it work. I’m also enjoying the more intuitive approach to music; having been playing from pre-written sheet music for so long, it’s been really fun to improvise.

More about me: I love to sing and compose music, and have just finished a rhapsody for string orchestra. I’m also working on pieces for choral groups, but am hoping to write something for the National Open Youth Orchestra at some point!

What I like about NOYO: Rehearsals are very enjoyable because Siobhan and Ellen are so kind and supportive. As well as enjoying playing in an orchestra, I have started to make some new friends and I am looking forward to the socials.

More about me: I absolutely love drumming and listening to all sorts of music. I also like farming and have lots of pets. I love animals, going to the gym, swimming as well as baking are my other hobbies and my favourite TV programme has to be Doc Martin!

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: It has given me lots of experience of playing with other people rather than playing on my own. I like this because I like being sociable and it’s marvellous. The timing is the challenging part, but I’m really excited about the music in general.

More about me: I work as an assistant gardener at a big private estate in the New Forest two days a week and for Minstead Trust for one day a week. I play for Hampshire Disability Cricket. I enjoy going for big bike rides on the South Downs Way.

Member of the NOYO social media team

What I like about NOYO: I think the people are lovely, and I like the sense of community and how the music caters to every individual.

More about me: I draw and compose in my spare time. I love reading books and most recently read Dracula and other horror books. As well as cello, I play piano and guitar. I love musical theatre.

What I like about NOYO: I like Noyo because it gives everyone aged 11-25 a chance to rehearse and perform as equals despite being disabled, neurodivergent or struggling with mental health. It also has loads of opportunities to socialise and make friends. My favourite event is the residential silent disco!

More about me:I’m a very creative individual. I also enjoy cooking and making my own recipes. I love animals, I have 3 dogs called Elsie, Reggie and Ronnie. I’m currently a college student studying level 2 Health and Social Care. I’m very rarely without my headphones, if I am, they’re never far away.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

What I like about NOYO: Playing works commissioned for us and playing music with friends.

More about me: I’ve been playing harp since I was 9 years old. My dream jobs would be playing in an orchestra pit and recording music in studios. My favourite composer is Prokofiev.

NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham

Member of the NOYO Social Media Team

What I like about NOYO: It seems like a friendly place. I like the people here. It’s nice how the staff work hard to cater to everyone’s needs.

More about me:  I play a lot of video games, and I love a good game soundtrack. They’re good background noise to help me focus while I work. I love performing big dramatic songs that can really get me pumped.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: Playing together as a group inspires me!

More about me: I enjoy watching Pointless and love the following songs: ‘Hey Jude’, ‘Walking in the air’, ‘Stand by Me’, ‘Baby I love you’. I enjoy listening to musicals such as ‘Oliver’.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: Being in the orchestra has been a new start for me but I got used to it in the end. Most of all, I like how the instruments play in harmony. It makes me feel relaxed, I enjoy it so much. It really is fun to play in a group with other musicians.

More about me: I like listening to all sorts of music. I also play the keyboard. I can play the drums, and used to play the trumpet. Outside of the orchestra, I like to play Minecraft (especially the note blocks) and sometimes watch YouTube. I like building Lego sets. I enjoy riding my scooter and going on bike rides with my Dad. I love the outdoors, especially when it involves high ropes and zip wires.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

What I like about NOYO: I like the warm and welcoming environment. You can be unapologetically yourself.

More about me: I’m a massive Liverpool FC fan, I like running, and I dabble in playing a bit of folk and jazz violin in Temple Bar in Cardiff.

What I like about NOYO: I love playing music with others, especially in an environment where everyone is accepted and valued for who they are.

More about me: I enjoy baking, participating in drama productions, walking and anything to do with being in nature.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

What I like about NOYO: I love how friendly and enthusiastic everyone is and how interesting the music is. The orchestra is inspiring. We are from all kinds of backgrounds and we work really positively together, as a big happy team. It’s a lot of fun!

More about me: I love lots of types of music and I also like to sing. When I’m not playing the trombone, I spend my time building websites, solving my friends and family’s tech problems and researching travel and transport (trains and planes). I also like exercising with friends at a local park, learning languages (especially German and Spanish), spending time with animals and baking cakes for friends.

NOYO Ensemble: London

Member of the NOYO Social Media Team