Meet musicians and teams

National Open Youth Orchestra

The National Open Youth Orchestra (NOYO) is a dynamic orchestra that evolves each year, with all players coming through the ranks of five regional NOYO Ensembles.

In our 2025 concerts, seventeen young musicians will present the National Open Youth Orchestra’s programme of music: Alex (marimba, snare drum), Bethan (flute), Cass (violin), Charlie (drums, percussion), Connor (cello), Deniz (Clarion), Evie (Clarion), Francesca (violin), Georgina (French horn), Holli (harp, cymbal, tambourine), Lilian (oboe), Luke (saxophone, egg shaker), Oscar (vibraphone, grand piano), Pea (cor anglais), Raena (saxophone, synth, piano), Rhys (trumpet), and Ziya (bass guitar).

Partners

The National Open Youth Orchestra is delivered in partnership with leading arts organisations. We share musical knowledge and resources, and together have pioneered more inclusive ways of making music since 2018.

We offer accessible ensemble practice and performance opportunities to brilliant 11-25 year-old disabled and non-disabled musicians through five regional NOYO Ensembles:

London NOYO Ensemble, in partnership with 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.

The Barbican is a national partner, supporting the creation of performance opportunities.

Behind the scenes, the National Open Youth Orchestra is run by Bristol-based charity Open Up Music.

 

Regional NOYO Ensembles


Our five regional NOYO Ensembles in Birmingham, Bournemouth, Bristol, Cardiff and London provide an inclusive and accessible rehearsal environment for 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. Once a year, NOYO Ensemble musicians can audition internally to join the National Open Youth Orchestra and go on tour the following year.

In NOYO Ensembles, you'll rehearse in small groups, giving you the chance to really get to know the other musicians and Music Leaders in your area. You'll also experience our inclusive, collaborative approach to making music. Rehearsals are always friendly and supportive.

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.

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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NOYO musician, Balpreet

Balpreet

Electric guitar

Me in three words: creative, funny, passionate

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NOYO musician, Ethan

Ethan

Electric guitar

Me in three words: happy, love, music

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NOYO musician, Hafaliana

Hafaliana

Baritone horn

Me in three words: happy, amazing, kind

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Paolo

Guitar and bass

Me in three words: chatty, energetic and caring

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NOYO musician, Abubakr

Abubakr

Piano

Me in three words: creative, happy, easygoing

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NOYO musician, Ruben

Ruben

Clarion

Me in three words: smiley, adventurous, sociable

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NOYO musician, Zach

Zach

Clarion

Me in three words: resilient, chilled, happy

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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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Co-ordinator, Tom

Tom Kay

Co-ordinator

Me in three words: honest, intelligent, diligent

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Bournemouth NOYO Ensemble Assistant Music Leader Tamara Sullivan

Tammy Sullivan

Assistant Music Leader

Me in three words: friendly, bubbly, motivated

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NOYO musician, John

John

Violin

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

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NOYO musician, Cass

Cass

Violin, viola

Me in three words: determined, inspired, creative

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NOYO musician, Evie

Evie

Clarion

Me in three words: happy, positive, chocoholic

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NOYO Clarion player, Deniz

Deniz

Clarion

Me in three words: friendly, kind, hard working

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NOYO musician, Bert

Bert

Trombone, piano

Me in three words: musical, clever, caring

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NOYO saxophonist, Luke

Luke

Alto Saxophone

Me in three words: friendly, funny, anxious

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NOYO cellist, Connor

Connor

Cello

Me in three words: polite, friendly, sociable

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NOYO Tenor horn player, Torin

Torin

Tenor horn

Me in three words: happy, kind, enthusiastic

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NOYO musician, Shoshana

Shoshana

flute and bassoon

Me in three words: friendly, extroverted, musical

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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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NOYO musician, Lilian

Lilian

Oboe

Me in three words: creative, enthusiastic, stubborn

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NOYO musician, Julia

Julia

Violin

Me in three words: funny, energetic, chatty

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NOYO violinist Sophia

Sophia

Violin

Me in three words: gentle, determined, shy

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NOYO musician, Lubo

Lubo

Euphonium

Me in three words: smiley, fun, happy

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NOYO Clarion player, Leo

Leo

Clarion

Me in three words: funny, kind, happy

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NOYO musician, Alex

Alex

Marimba, xylophone

Me in three words: funny, excited, happy

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NOYO drummer, Charlie

Charlie

Drums, percussion

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

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NOYO electric guitarist Jake

Jake

Guitar

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

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NOYO musician, Alex

Alex

Accordion, trumpet, treble recorder

Me in three words: conscientious, kind, quiet

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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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Cardiff NOYO Ensemble Music Leader Andy Everton

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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NOYO musician, Ella

Pea

Oboe, cor anglais

Me in three words: ambitious, artistic, sociable

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NOYO musician, Abraham

Abraham

Piano, xylophone, marimba

Me in three words: musical, brave, kind

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NOYO musician, Bethan

Bethan

Harp, flute, piccolo

Me in three words: musical, smiley, honest

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NOYO musician, Josh

Josh

Violin, bass guitar

Me in three words: kind, focused, musical

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NOYO musician, Zachariah

Zachariah

Bass trombone

Me in three words: ambitious, determined, and resilient

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London NOYO Ensemble

In partnership with the 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 musician, Jabari

Jabari

Piano

Me in three words: talented, artistic, creative

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NOYO violinist, Francesca

Francesca

Violin

Me in three words: enthusiastic, friendly, diligent

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NOYO musician, Ethan

Ethan

Viola

Me in three words: funny, kind, approachable

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NOYO musician, Yoel

Yoel

Piano

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

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NOYO trombonist, Jonah

Jonah

Trombone

Me in three words: enthusiastic, upbeat, kind

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NOYO trumpetist Sam

Sam

Trumpet

Me in three words: fun, kind, trumpeter

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NOYO musician, Oscar

Oscar

Vibraphone, xylophone, piano

Me in three words: happy, excited, ok

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NOYO musician, Chapman

Chapman

Piano, drums

Me in three words: cheerful, positive, energetic

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NOYO musician, Hannah

Hannah

Flute and clarinet

Me in three words: creative, driven and passionate

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NOYO Musician, Tejiri

Tejiri

Violin

Me in three words: creative, imaginative, courageous

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Maeve

French horn and violin

Me in three words: chatty, bookworm, fun

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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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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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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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Demi Delaperelle

Programme Officer

Me in three words: smiley, organised, passionate

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Decprative

Dan Brashaw

Marketing and Communications Officer

Me in three words: creative, friendly, passionate

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