Meet musicians and teams

Musicians

Young musicians in the National Open Youth Orchestra and regional NOYO Ensembles play a wide variety of instruments. They have very different musical tastes but enjoy coming together. The atmosphere of a NOYO rehearsal is really friendly. Music Leaders take responsibility for creating an inclusive, welcoming environment in which you’re encouraged to bring your musical ideas and personalities.

Watch videos of past members Lizzie (violin), Abbie (harp), Ella (Clarion), and Jaidon (guitar and bass). They share their experience of auditioning, and their journey with the National Open Youth Orchestra.

NOYO musician, Oscar

Oscar

Vibraphone, xylophone, piano

Me in three words: happy, excited, ok

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NOYO trumpetist Sam

Sam

Trumpet

Me in three words: fun, kind, trumpeter

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NOYO violinist, Francesca

Francesca

Violin

Me in three words: enthusiastic, friendly, diligent

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NOYO musician, Ben

Ben

Seaboard Rise

Me in three words: creative, funny, musical

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NOYO violinist Sophia

Sophia

Violin

Me in three words: gentle, determined, shy

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NOYO trombonist, Jonah

Jonah

Trombone

Me in three words: enthusiastic, upbeat, kind

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NOYO Clarion player, Deniz

Deniz

Clarion

Me in three words: friendly, kind, hard working

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NOYO accordionist, David

David

Classical accordion

Me in three words: thankful, curious, resilient

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NOYO Clarion player, Leo

Leo

Clarion

Me in three words: funny, kind, happy

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NOYO harpist, Holli

Holli

Harp, piano, timpani

Me in three words: music, harp, friends

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NOYO cellist, Connor

Connor

Cello, piano, guitar

Me in three words: tall, friendly, gentle

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NOYO Tenor horn player, Torin

Torin

Tenor horn

Me in three words: happy, kind, enthusiastic

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NOYO saxophonist, Luke

Luke

Alto Saxophone

Me in three words: friendly, funny, anxious

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NOYO musician, Julia

Julia

Violin

Me in three words: funny, energetic, chatty

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NOYO Clarion player, Alessandro

Ale

Clarion

Me in three words: happy, singing, friendly

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NOYO musician, Bert

Bert

Trombone, piano

Me in three words: musical, clever, caring

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NOYO musician, John

John

Violin

Me in three words: kind, hard-working, busy

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NOYO musician, Evie

Evie

Clarion

Me in three words: happy, positive, chocoholic

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NOYO musician, Jabari

Jabari

Piano

Me in three words: talented, artistic, creative

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NOYO musician, Ethan

Ethan

Viola

Me in three words: funny, kind, approachable

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NOYO musician, Hafaliana

Hafaliana

Baritone horn

Me in three words: happy, amazing, kind

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NOYO musician, Alex

Alex

Marimba, xylophone

Me in three words: funny, excited, happy

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NOYO musician, Josh

Josh

Violin, bass guitar

Me in three words: kind, focussed, musical

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NOYO musician, Lubo

Lubo

Euphonium

Me in three words: smiley, fun, happy

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NOYO musician, Abraham

Abraham

Piano, xylophone, marimba

Me in three words: musical, brave, kind

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NOYO musician, Cass

Cass

Violin, viola

Me in three words: determined, inspired, creative

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NOYO musician, Ella

Pea

Oboe, cor anglais

Me in three words: ambitious, artistic, sociable

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NOYO musician, Lilian

Lilian

Oboe

Me in three words: creative, enthusiastic, stubborn

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NOYO musician, Bethan

Bethan

Harp, flute, piccolo

Me in three words: chaotic, nerdy, musical

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NOYO musician, Yoel

Yoel

Piano

Me in three words: friendly, passionate, happy-traveller

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NOYO musician, Alex

Alex

Accordion, trumpet, treble recorder

Me in three words: conscientious, kind, quiet

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NOYO musician, Ethan

Ethan

Electric guitar

Me in three words: happy, love, music

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NOYO musician, Balpreet

Balpreet

Electric guitar

Me in three words: creative, funny, passionate

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NOYO musician, Jake

Jake

Guitar

Me in three words: persistent, resilient, hard- working

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NOYO drummer, Charlie

Charlie

Drums, percussion

Me in three words: considerate, happy, hard-working

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NOYO musician, Keely

Keely

Clarion

Me in three words: Coming soon!

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Partners

Musicians who perform with the National Open Youth Orchestra change every year. They come from five regional NOYO Ensembles:

London NOYO Ensemble, in partnership with Barbican and Guildhall School of Music & Drama;

Bristol NOYO Ensemble, in partnership with Bristol Beacon;

Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble, in partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra;

Birmingham NOYO Ensemble, in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre, B:Music and Services For Education.

Cardiff NOYO Ensemble, in partnership with BBC National Orchestra of Wales and the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama.

NOYO Ensembles


There are five regional NOYO Ensembles in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff and London. They provide an inclusive and accessible rehearsal environment for brilliant 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians to develop their skills at an advanced level, without the barriers that can make progress difficult for young disabled musicians. NOYO Ensembles are also the pathway to performing with the National Open Youth Orchestra. Once a year, NOYO Ensemble musicians can audition internally to tour with the National Open Youth Orchestra the following year.

NOYO Ensembles are an opportunity for musicians to rehearse in a small group, so you get to know other NOYO musicians and Music Leaders in your region very well. You also get familiar with our more inclusive, collaborative ways of making music. The atmosphere at rehearsals is really friendly and welcoming.

NOYO musicians, Music Leaders and the entire National Open Youth Orchestra team also make up one big supportive community. There are in-person and online social events such as 'NOYO and Friends', where we invite music professionals to tell us about their jobs. They have fun with us and you can ask them any questions you like.

Read more about members of the team at each NOYO Ensemble, and also about the national National Open Youth Orchestra staff. Behind the scenes, the orchestra is run by a Bristol based charity called Open Up Music.

Birmingham NOYO Ensemble

In partnership with Midlands Arts Centre, B:Music and Services For Education
Music Leader, Rosie

Rosie Rushton

Music Leader

Me in three words: positive, playful, practical

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NOYO French horn player, Georgina

Georgina Spray

Assistant Music Leader

Me in three words: anxious, hardworking, conscientious

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Emma, MAC Makes Music Coordinator

Emma Ward

MAC Makes Music Coordinator

Me in three words: thoughtful, creative, curious

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Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble

In partnership with Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Music Leader, Sam

Sam Mason

Music Leader

Me in three words: happy, fun, fair

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Assistant Music Leader, Tony

Tony Waller

Assistant Music Leader

Me in three words: cheerful, contented, professional

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Co-ordinator, Tom

Tom Kay

Co-ordinator

Me in three words: honest, intelligent, diligent

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Bristol NOYO Ensemble

In partnership with Bristol Beacon
Music Leader, Siobhan

Siobhan Clough

Music Leader

Me in three words: determined, energetic, caring

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Assistant Music Leader, Ellen

Ellen O'Brien

Assistant Music Leader

Me in three words: enthusiastic, happy, music

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Bristol Beacon's CLE Inclusion Projects Lead, Helen

Helen Ince

CLE Inclusion Projects Lead

Me in three words: enthusiastic, engaging, empowering

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Cardiff NOYO Ensemble

In partnership with the Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama and the BBC National Orchestra of Wales

Kevin Price

Deputy Director of Music at RWCMD

Me in three words: smiley, optimistic, kiwi

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Bea is a smiley woman with shoulder length brown hair

Bea Carey

Education and Community Producer

Me in three words: Pug-lover, Australian, cheerful

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Music Leader, Andy

Andy Everton

Music Leader

Me in three words: enthusiastic, caring, quirky

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Rhian, Assistant Music Leader

Rhian Davies

Assistant Music Leader

Me in three words: hard-working, passionate, principled

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London NOYO Ensemble

In partnership with the Barbican and Guildhall School of Music & Drama
Music leader, Bea, conducting

Bea Hubble

Music Leader

Me in three words: bright, creative, cat lover

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Assistant Music Leader, Julia

Julia Koelmans

Assistant Music Leader

Me in three words: calm, funny, welcoming

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NOYO producer, Mercy

Mercy Welbeck

Producer

Me in three words: smiley, passionate, driven

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The National Open Youth Orchestra Team

Barry, NOYO CEO

Barry Farrimond-Chuong

CEO

Me in three words: fun, inventive, artsy

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Doug, NOYO Artistic Director

Doug Bott

Artistic Director

Me in three words: creative, curious, dedicated

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Helen, NOYO Head of Operations

Helen

Head of Operations

Me in three words: friendly, caring, organised

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Kate, NOYO Programme Officer

Kate Duffy

Programme Officer

Me in three words: sociable, kind, organised

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Ben, NOYO Pastoral Officer

Ben Waller

Pastoral Support Officer

Me in three words: calm, creative, audiophile

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Julia, NOYO Head of Marketing and Communications

Julia Le

Head of Marketing and Communications

Me in three words: curious, bilingual, friendly

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Alison, NOYO Trust and Foundations Manager

Alison Maxhuni

Trusts and Foundations Manager

Me in three words: kind, creative, loyal

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Rawle, NOYO Fundraising Manager

Rawle Beckles

Fundraising Manager

Me in three words: passionate, tenacious, hard-working

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Mitchell Williams, Marketing and Content Officer

Mitchell Williams

Marketing and Content Officer

Me in three words: creative, fun, artsy

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Bea Hubble, Programme Manager

Bea Hubble

Programme Manager (also music leader)

Me in three words: bright, creative, cat lover

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Gabriel Herzog, Fundraising Officer

Gabriel Herzog

Fundraising Officer

Me in three words: creative, American, bookworm

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