Musicians gallery
Get to know us...
Oscar
Vibraphone, xylophone, piano
Me in three words: happy, excited, ok
What I like about NOYO: I like the people there. I like playing with the orchestra.
More about me: I like jazz music, 60s music, rock and roll and 80s music. My favourite film is ‘Mary Poppins Returns’. I like hiking a lot.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Sam
Trumpet
Me in three words: fun, kind, trumpeter
What I like about NOYO: I like making friends, playing different varieties of music and learning new skills.
More about me: I like to construct Lego. I have a puppy called Daisy and I like life!
NOYO Ensemble: London
Francesca
Violin
Me in three words: enthusiastic, friendly, diligent
What I like about NOYO: I enjoy being part of a unique orchestra and playing among other young people who share my love for music. We play a range of exciting and challenging music and are given opportunities to explore different musical approaches and techniques to the pieces we play. Everyone is so kind and encouraging!
More about me: I also play piano, flute and sing and appreciate all genres of music. I really enjoy all other aspects of the performing arts as well. I have just started a music degree studying violin performance.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Ben
Seaboard Rise
Me in three words: creative, funny, musical
What I like about NOYO: Playing my Roli keyboard synth. Playing new music. Learning different instruments.
More about me: I love my iPad playing loopers and yousician. I love playing my Bopits but Bopit Maker is best. I love being in college. I love jammin’ and sound recording.
NOYO Ensemble: Bristol
Sophia
Violin
Me in three words: gentle, determined, shy
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
Jonah
Trombone
Me in three words: enthusiastic, upbeat, kind
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
Deniz
Clarion
Me in three words: friendly, kind, hard working
What I like about NOYO: Being a part of NOYO increased my self-confidence, contributed a lot to my music journey and helped me socialise.
More about me: I like listening to music, gaming and football.
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
David
Classical accordion
Me in three words: thankful, curious, resilient
What I like about NOYO: I love creating music with people.
More about me: I love life, accordion, piano, organ, Bach’s baroque music, old hymns by Charles Wesley and Isaac Watts, folk and jazz tunes. I enjoy performing solo piano improvisations for Heart n Soul at the Barbican Hall and Royal Festival Hall, and love accompanying Royal Academy of Music Juniors at Ronnie Scott’s jazz club on piano, and the London Youth Folk Ensemble on ‘folk’ accordion at EFDSS and LSO St Luke’s.
I also meditate on the Bible, row outdoors, exercise at gym bootcamps, help out as a volunteer at Snooker For Health & Friendship at YMCA, a disability multi-sports club.
I go ‘train, tree & bird’ spotting and play with our English-speaking pet budgies who are on my YouTube account.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Leo
Clarion
Me in three words: funny, kind, happy
What I like about NOYO: I am happy about NOYO.
More about me: I am in supporting living in Bristol. I love iPad and games.
NOYO Ensemble: Bristol
Holli
Harp, piano, timpani
Me in three words: music, harp, friends
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
Connor
Cello, piano, guitar
Me in three words: tall, friendly, gentle
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 used to play the violin then I moved on to the piano. I have been learning cello since I was 10 years old and now I am teaching myself the guitar.
I enjoy running long distance. I play for Hampshire disability cricket. I’m very tall and very fast at bowling. I go to college, doing Skills for Independence and Work and will apply to do a horticulture course next year.
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
Torin
Tenor horn
Me in three words: happy, kind, enthusiastic
What I like about NOYO: I like coming together and playing music with friends and learning all the music. I like to jam and learn new skills and improve my confidence. And it is fun!
More about me: I love music and DJ’ing and mixing. I play golf, volunteer at a cafe, do dog agility and play Boccia and Table Cricket. I love walking my dog and am passionate about the environment and looking after the planet.
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
Member of the NOYO Social Media Team
Luke
Alto Saxophone
Me in three words: friendly, funny, anxious
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
Julia
Violin
Me in three words: funny, energetic, chatty
What I like about NOYO: All the teachers are really nice. The pieces we get to play are interesting and we have fun together.
More about me: I enjoy singing and watching musicals. My hobbies are art and drama.
NOYO Ensemble: Bristol
Ale
Clarion
Me in three words: happy, singing, friendly
What I like about NOYO: I am excited! I like being together, meeting everyone and playing music, learning new music and making new patterns on my Clarion.
More about me: I enjoy going to concerts, theatre, rugby and football. I love singing and listening to music. I was born in Rome and speak Italian – I like going back to Italy and seeing my family in Scotland.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Bert
Trombone, piano
Me in three words: musical, clever, caring
What I like about NOYO: I like the fact that it’s a national orchestra which is open to everybody and great musicians are not restricted by finance or the type of instrument they play.
More about me: I like all varieties of music, especially Hip Hop. I support Chelsea FC. I am post grade 8 on piano and trombone. I also played guitar, try and play drums, can sing quite well (I think), played harp and play handbells. I enjoy producing music on Logic Pro X. I also like tennis.
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
John
Violin
Me in three words: kind, hard-working, busy
What I like about NOYO: I’m looking forward to working with and making new friends from all over the country.
More about me: I am a total solar eclipse chaser, explorer scout, indoor bowls player, big foodie who enjoys acting, dancing and music.
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
Evie
Clarion
Me in three words: happy, positive, chocoholic
What I like about NOYO: I love being in the orchestra and playing with lots of talented musicians who play different instruments. It’s a very happy and supportive environment.
More about me: I really enjoy playing Clarion and being part of the orchestra. I also like sailing and looking after my little dog Elsie.
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
Jabari
Piano
Me in three words: talented, artistic, creative
What I like about NOYO: Playing with other musicians.
More about me: I enjoy creating digital art.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Ethan
Viola
Me in three words: funny, kind, approachable
What I like about NOYO: I have already made friends and the orchestra being inclusive particularly appeals to me. It is fantastic that young people are given a chance to take part despite their health challenges.
More about me: I also play the piano and am a violist for my local youth orchestra. I enjoy music and some of my favourites are The Planets, Holst, Danzón No. 2 and Sibelius No. 1. I like trains and am a big fan of the London Underground.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Member of the NOYO Social Media Team
Hafaliana
Baritone horn
Me in three words: happy, amazing, kind
What I like about NOYO: I like meeting new friends and I enjoy playing music with other people.
More about me: I like playing music. I have a pet rabbit and she likes listening to me play.
NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham
Alex
Marimba, xylophone
Me in three words: funny, excited, happy
What I like about NOYO: I love playing all the music with everybody in the orchestra.
More about me: I love performing the orchestra’s music and other music every year to lots of campers on the Isles of Scilly.
NOYO Ensemble: Bristol
Josh
Violin, bass guitar
Me in three words: kind, focused, musical
What I like about being in NOYO: I enjoy playing a variety of music, I like the location, and the tutors and staff are really kind and knowledgeable.
More about me: I am 14 years old and in year 10 at secondary school, studying Music, IT and History (along with the usual subjects). I enjoy playing in a variety of music groups and ensembles. I struggle in school sometimes and find music is my way to escape.
NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff
Member of the NOYO Social Media Team
Lubo
Euphonium
Me in three words: smiley, fun, happy
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
Abraham
Piano, xylophone, marimba
Me in three words: musical, brave, kind
What I like about NOYO: It is all the excitement of meeting other musicians and playing music with them.
More about me: When I’m not playing the piano, I love hitting the ball on the tennis court. I love singing, travelling, meeting new people and seeing new places. I enjoy baking gluten-free chocolate cakes and if my sister is free, I like playing video games with her too.
NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff
Cass
Violin, viola
Me in three words: determined, inspired, creative
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!
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth
Pea
Oboe, cor anglais
Me in three words: ambitious, artistic, sociable
What I like about NOYO: I love meeting new people and experimenting with the music we create.
More about me: I love discovering new music of all genres. A lot of my free time is spent searching through Spotify for my next music obsession – although nothing will ever beat my all-time favourite band, Radiohead!
NOYO Ensemble: Cardiff
Lilian
Oboe
Me in three words: creative, enthusiastic, stubborn
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: Bristol
Bethan
Harp, flute, piccolo
Me in three words: musical, smiley, honest
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: Cardiff
Yoel
Piano
Me in three words: friendly, passionate, happy-traveller
What I like about NOYO: Learning to play in an orchestra.
More about me: I like to travel and learn languages. I love music, especially Tchaikovsky’s music. I love to make portraits.
NOYO Ensemble: London
Alex
Accordion, trumpet, treble recorder
Me in three words: conscientious, kind, quiet
What I like about NOYO: I like the infectious energy and enthusiasm that the other members of the group bring.
More about me: I enjoy reading, music and spending time outdoors.
NOYO Ensemble: Bristol
Ethan
Electric guitar
Me in three words: happy, love, music
What I like about NOYO: I like the people and playing my music as a group.
More about me: I like going out to restaurants and enjoy holidays away. I enjoy all sorts of different music.
NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham
Balpreet
Electric guitar
Me in three words: creative, funny, passionate
What I like about NOYO: I like that I finally have the opportunity to play in an orchestra. I have wanted to join one for the longest time.
More about me: I’m an artist in many ways (I write and draw too) but music is my main hobby and obsession. I write songs in my spare time and I enjoy sharing them with people. My favourite musicians include The Beach Boys, Jeff Buckley, Fiona Apple and Elliott Smith.
NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham
Jake
Guitar
Me in three words: persistent, resilient, hard- working
What I like about NOYO: I like the opportunity to be around other talented musicians and make great music.
More about me: In my spare time I draw and sometimes paint. Big fan of Math rock and Grunge, and play bass in a grunge band called ‘Happy Dogs’.
NOYO Ensemble: Bristol
Charlie
Drums, percussion
Me in three words: considerate, happy, hard-working
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
Keely
Clarion
Me in three words: Coming soon!
What I like about NOYO: Coming soon!
More about me: Coming soon!
NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth