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

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

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

What I like about NOYO: I like that NOYO is inclusive, and the people here are nice. It’s also great to be able to play bass guitar in an orchestra!

More about me: I love to play football. As well as playing the bass, I also play the classical guitar. My favourite bands are Galantis and Glass Animals.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

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: NOYO has helped me to be able to do something new, meet different people and learn about music.

More about me: I have a wicked sense of humour. I like gaming, YouTube and going to Powerchair football. I also like Star Wars.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like being able to play an instrument, which is something that is not always possible for disabled people. NOYO is helping me to learn a different skill.

More about me: I like gaming, going out with friends and having different experiences. I will give anything a try and like a challenge. I am also a big fan of Marvel.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: It’s a great place where talented musicians can get to show off their skills.

More about me: I really enjoy music and love trying new things.

NOYO Ensemble:  Birmingham

What I like about NOYO: I like NOYO because the music is really well adapted to the instruments we play.

More about me: I like obscure instruments and orchestral adaptations of music belonging to other genres.

NOYO Ensemble: Birmingham

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

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

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

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

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

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: 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.

NOYO Ensemble: Bournemouth

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

What I like about NOYO: I love how much of a creative environment it is and how I get to meet so many like-minded people who all love music.

More about me: Music is and will always be a huge part of my life, I am in a wide variety of different musical groups and I love how diverse music can be. As well as flute and bassoon I also play recorder, piano, saxophone and I sing.

NOYO Ensemble:  Bournemouth

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

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

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: 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: I am happy about NOYO.

More about me: I am in supporting living in Bristol. I love iPad and games.

NOYO Ensemble: Bristol

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

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: 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

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

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

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

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

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

What I like about NOYO: I like the visible effort made to include a diverse range of musicians in the NOYO, which you don’t get in many ensembles.

More about me: My life is mostly music – my passion is bringing music to those who can’t normally access it. Outside of music, I love to read and knit!

NOYO Ensemble:  Cardiff

What I like about NOYO: At NOYO I get to play different instruments to different types of music with new friends and I like to see us all getting better.

More about me: I have learning difficulties, ADHD, anxiety and sensory processing difficulties. I’ve been playing the drums since I was two years old. I enjoy all types of music but love heavy metal, (the faster and louder, the better!!). I also like playing rugby – I play fly half – and I like playing darts and swimming. I like being busy.

NOYO Ensemble:  Cardiff

What I like about NOYO: Playing with other musicians.

More about me:  I enjoy creating digital art.

NOYO Ensemble:  London

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

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

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

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

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

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

What I like about NOYO: I like the freedom and equality.

More about me: I’m a 14-year-old boy originally from Hong Kong. I was born blind due to a rare disease and live with complex disabilities, including speech and learning difficulties, autism, and hearing loss. I have achieved Diploma grade in Piano Performance and Grade 8 in Drums. My love for music spans across genres — from classical to jazz, folk to rock and pop. Recently, I have also been developing my musical improvisation skills.

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: That it encompasses the true meaning and understanding of inclusion. It allows us the chance to be musicians and to achieve our potential – a chance that we otherwise may not get.

More about me: I am a creative activist. I completed a Foundation in Musical Theatre at Mountview in 2024 and am now studying Inclusive Performance at Chickenshed Theatre. I’m also a member of the National Youth Theatre and the London NOYO Ensemble. I play several instruments and sing.

Creativity saved my life. It helped me discover my true self, navigate challenges, and has become my tool in the fight for social justice. To read more about my journey, check out my blog on The Mighty Creative’s website!

I run my own social media, blog, and podcast, where I champion inclusion, share my experiences, and raise awareness. I have lived experience with neurodivergence and mental health.

I’m passionate about raising awareness of autism, promoting acceptance of neurodivergence, and advocating for true inclusion. I believe inclusion allows for differences, not just sameness. I also campaign for the rights of autistic people, changes in mental health and education systems, and challenging harmful societal narratives. I advocate for autonomy, choice, and unique paths for young people to define their success.

NOYO Ensemble:  London

What I like about NOYO: Everyone is very sweet and nice and will always help when you need it. They are always quick to pick up any concerns if anything does happen and deal with them to the best of their own abilities.

More about me: I like to listen to many different types of music and I like drawing and painting as well as making songs and playing instruments.

NOYO Ensemble: London

What I like about NOYO: Everyone is really friendly, and the rehearsals are super calm and productive!

More about me: I really like sailing, and playing my musical instruments with friends! My favourite type of music on the violin is folk music or anything fast, but on the horn my favourite piece is Reverie by Glazunov.

NOYO Ensemble:  London