Where do you call home?
Huddersfield

How long have you been playing your instrument?
12 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I absolutely love being able to come together with other young people who share my passion and create something huge. This general idea of becoming stronger as a collective is maybe overused, but I think in terms of playing with an orchestra especially, it's so true! Performing with my friends is probably my favourite thing of all time and having the opportunity to do so at such a massive scale is unbelievably brilliant

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
There are so many! I think Max Richter's Recomposed: Four Seasons (which I was lucky enough to play with NYOS Camerata last year) stands out as one of my favourite works to perform, as are Bernstein's Symphonic Dances, Shostakovich's String Quartet No. 8 and Stravinsky's Danse Russe from Petrushka. I also love playing and performing folk and jazz with my string quartet - anything involving improvisation is very up my street

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Recently, I've been listening to a very eclectic mix of music - Samara Joy, RAYE, Sting, Jamiroquai, Ravel, Renaissance choral music and more... as well as history podcasts, something I hadn't really explored until recently, but would hugely recommend!

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Stephanie Childress! She's been quite an icon for me since first watching her at the BBC Young Musician Competition in 2016, and I would absolutely love to work with her one day, whether she was conducting or performing as a soloist. I think collaborating with Pekka Kuusisto would also be incredible

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music and performance has, alongside family and friends, become the most important and fantastic part of my life. I think that being able to have a huge sense of joy, as well as self-esteem from music, has been so unbelievably beneficial to me as a person in many different ways. Playing and sharing music with the friends all around me, as well as with an audience, is such a beautiful thing to be able to do, and the way that music can connect with people on such a universal level is really unlike anything else

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I am so excited to be returning to NYOS as Leader this year! This will be my tenth year of being involved with NYOS and I feel so privileged to be in a role that once seemed so unattainable. I'm really looking forward to seeing some of my best friends from previous courses, as well as meeting lots of new young musicians and working on a fantastic repertoire of pieces this year (especially Holst's The Planets and Peter Maxwell Davies's Orkney Wedding, with Sunrise!)

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
8 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Meeting new friends and collaborating with other young people who share the same enthusiasm and love for music

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Tchaikovsky's Violin Concerto

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams and the Ultraviolence album by Lana Del Rey

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Martha Argerich

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music is my passion, and sharing it with other people is a huge source of inspiration to me

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Seeing all my friends at NYOS and having a great time making music!

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Violin - 9 years, Organ - 3 years, Piano - 7 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love the sense of community that comes from being part of an orchestra. Being surrounded by others, all working towards the same goal is very inspiring and hearing different ideas is always so exciting. Being a musician requires being alone in practice rooms by yourself, sometimes for hours on end. In an orchestra, being able to support one another is such an important and enriching experience

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Tchaikovsky Symphony No.4, which is a really special piece to me as I got to play it for the first time in 2025 with NYOS Development!

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Anything Chopin!

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Anna Lapwood as she is such an inspiration for young female musicians.

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music isn't about being perfect. It's about conveying your message across to the audience and showing them what the music means to you. Performing, especially as a group, is such a special experience and it brings so many people together

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I'm most looking forward to performing The Planets in the summer as it has always been one of my personal favourite and I can't wait to see how it all comes together!

Where do you call home?
Stirling

How long have you been playing your instrument?
9 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
My favourite part is being able to interact and create memories with new people and having a space where everyone has the same determination

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Légende by Wieniawski

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Gossip Girl

Why is music and performing important to you?
Because I love music and it is a very big part of my life

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Playing The Planets!

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
13 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
The atmosphere is so magical, and you make friends for life

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Tchaikovsky's Romeo and Juliet Overture

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
The Book of Dust Trilogy!

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Nicola Benedetti

Why is music and performing important to you?
It’s a way to express yourself that words can’t do

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Playing The Planets!

Where do you call home?
Inverness

How long have you been playing your instrument?
I've been playing violin for almost 13 years now

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
You can meet people your age who have a common interest and can also make friendships that last both in music and outside of music

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
There are very few pieces I've had the opportunity to perform more than once, but Berstein's Symphonic Dances and Stravinsky's Petrushka are standouts to me. Symphonie Fantastique by Berlioz might also be necessary to add after last year

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Emma Harner's music. Makes me wish I was better at guitar

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Perhaps Augustin Hadelich, Randall Goosby, or Catherine Larsen-Maguire

Why is music and performing important to you?
Life without music would suck - therefore music is important to me. Music has just simply been the artform that I've connected with most in life. There's all of life and emotion in music. Performing for me is one of the most satisfying ways of engaging with music. It's like being an interpreter between the score and the listener. You get to realise this music that's potentially hundreds of years old and bring all of its emotions and stories to life in real-time

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
The repertoire seems good. I'm particularly looking forward to The Planets in summer. I am also simply excited to be able to spend time with my friends again

Where do you call home?
Inverness

How long have you been playing your instrument?
12 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
It's a wonderful community with a shared passion

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Tchaikovsky's Symphony No. 5

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
I've just just blitzed through a short detective novel called Tokyo Express by Seicho Matsumoto. It was very exciting

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Nahre Sol

Why is music and performing important to you?
It brings me joy and makes me smile

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Friends and fun times

Where do you call home?
Violin

How long have you been playing your instrument?
8 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Contributing to a beautiful and powerful creation

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Franck's Violin Sonata

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
My favourite author and poet is Gina Wilson, and I'm currently watching Stranger Things

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
I would love to play with violinist Augustin Hadelich

Why is music and performing important to you?
It is a great form of expression

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I am really looking forward to playing new repertoire, particularly The Planets

Where do you call home?
Ayrshire

How long have you been playing your instrument?
12 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
The creativity you can input in the music and your playing, and the opportunity to add your own interpretation into the music

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Schubert's String Quartet No. 14, Adrianne Lenker, Mitski

Which artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Maxim Vengerov

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Meeting new people and exploring fun and exciting new repertoire

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
9 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
One of my favourite things is being surrounded by other young musicians who are genuinely passionate about what they do. There’s a real sense of commitment in rehearsals, and that shared dedication creates an inspiring and close-knit community that I feel very grateful to be part of

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
It’s difficult to choose just one, but I’m particularly drawn to virtuosic showpiece violin works by Henryk Wieniawski and Fritz Kreisler because they allow me as a performer to display personal musical flair and explore expressive freedom

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Being able to work with inspiring conductors, tackle fun and exciting repertoire, and meet more individuals who feel passionate about music.

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
7 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love that I’m constantly learning from others, creating music with people that love it just as much as I do, and meeting new musicians from loads of different places

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Bruch's Violin Concerto No 1

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
The Traitors

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Itzak Perlman

Why is music and performing important to you?
It’s a way to expressive yourself when words can’t, it brings so many people together, and it’s just so much fun

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Playing The Planets in the summer

Where do you call home?
Newport-on-Tay

How long have you been playing your instrument?
7 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
In any good orchestra I've ever played in, my favourite thing has always been the exciting buzz I get from connecting my sound with so many others. It's totally unique and special

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Currently my favourite solo piece to perform is Amy Beach's Romance, but I also love playing Borodin's 2nd String Quartet with my quartet

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
I listen to every episode of The Rest is Politics and I'm reading a fascinating book called Guns, Germs and Steel

Which artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Augustine Hadelich

Why is music and performing important to you?
A lot of my friends and family also play a lot of music, so playing with them makes music really special to me

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I am most looking forward to the incredibly high standard of the NYOS orchestra; there will be so many amazing musicians to learn from and collaborate with

Where do you call home?
Caithness

How long have you playing your instrument?
Since I was 5

What is our favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
The sound you get when you all play together as well as working with and meeting others

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Vivaldi's Four Seasons

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Laufey

Which artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Joshua Bell

Why is music and performing important to you?
I like entertaining people and connecting with them through music

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Meeting other musicians, working together to get the most out of the pieces

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Since I was around 5 years old

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love the teamwork of getting a programme of music together from scratch, all the way to the concert performances, and having the opportunities to meet other passionate musicians!

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
My favourite piece to perform so far is Debussy’s L’apres Midi d’un Faune, and I am also currently working on Mozart’s 5th Violin Concerto

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Aside from music, I also do athletics competitively, so I am always watching the most recent world class competitions live on TV. I also love to read, and my favourites are any kind of thrillers or historical non-fiction

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Brett Yang and Eddy Chen, (twosetviolin), never fail to make me laugh, so I’ve always dreamt of collaborating with them someday!

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music has always been a huge part of my life. Coming from a very musical family, I have had so many amazing opportunities both in school and outwith, from an early age, which quickly made me fall in love with all different types of music

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I am really looking forward to having my first experience playing in the NYOS orchestra with the exciting repertoire that we will be playing this year. I can’t wait to meet some new people and enjoy performing together!

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
6 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
Learning from and listening to others

Which artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
John Williams

Why is music and performing important to you?
It's important because it shares a story to people and captures the beauty of it

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Playing The Planets and seeing my friends

Where do you call home?
Crieff

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Almost 3 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Some of my favourite parts about playing in an orchestra with other musicians is being able to work together as a section and all learn together. I also enjoy being able to have the opportunity to take part in preparing the repertoire for performances and rehearse with others who are also passionate about music

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Something I listen to on repeat is David Watkin's recordings of the Bach Cello Suites as I enjoy his interpretations and always like to be working on one of the suites alongside my other repertoire

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music is incredibly important to me as I have been studying it for years now and am now studying at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in order to pursue a career in music performance. I am passionate about music and performing as it is a way for me to be able to express my emotions through creativity

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I'm thoroughly looking forward to the opportunity to play this year's repertoire and the opportunity to perform at Dynamic Earth. I am also looking forward to learning a lot in this experience, meeting new people and making new connections

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
2 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I really enjoy gaining new friendships with people from different places

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
William Grant Still's Symphony No 1 “Afro-American”

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Mingus Big Band - Blues and Politics

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
RAYE or Laufey

Why is music and performing important to you?
It's cool and fun to do

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Rehearsing and performing with my friends

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
8 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Hearing that awesome viola section sound

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Sibelius, Symphony No. 1

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Gilmore Girls

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Timothy Ridout

Why is music and performing important to you?
It is my whole life

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Spending time with some of my best friends, and getting to play some great and interesting music

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
7 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
My favourite part of playing in an orchestra is meeting other people who are passionate about music too. I also enjoy being able to create and perform music together

Why is music and performing important to you?
For me, performing is important as it allows me to step outside my comfort zone but also allows me to express and perform the music in my own way

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I am most looking forward to meeting new people through NYOS and catching up with friends from last year

Where do you call home?
Falkirk

How long have you been playing your instrument?
8 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love working with the conductor and everyone in the orchestra to produce an amazing final concert

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
My favourite piece of music I have performed is Jupiter from The Planets and I am really excited to perform it again this year with NYOS

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
I have just finished binge watching The Traitors and like playing Animal Crossing on my Nintendo Switch

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
If Jaqueline Du Pre was still alive I would love to play some cello duets with her. I would also like to play with Sheku Kanneh-Mason

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music and performing is important to me because it allows me to express myself and meet new people

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I have been NYOS Development orchestra for the last 3 years and I am really excited to move up to the NYOS orchestra

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
10+ years!

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
Being able to meet so many like-minded, passionate musicians

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Debussy's Cello Sonata! It's a very emotionally exposed and expressive work, and the interaction between the cello and piano feels very conversational. It's a fun piece to play and listen to!

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Laufey - A Night at the Symphony - I love blending of genres and orchestral jazz

Which artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Gustavo Dudamel! He's such an energetic and wonderful conductor and I'd love to play in an orchestra conducted by him someday!

Why is music and performing important to you?
I like to share music with other people to expose them to lesser-known genres, and to encourage audiences to lesser-known genres and repertoire. It also makes me feel connected to audiences so we can appreciate the music together!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I look forward to meeting everyone and creating great music together!

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
5 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
My favourite part is being given a challenging piece and working towards a common goal of playing as a cohesive ensemble. It fills you with so much joy to play these pieces with so many other young people who are just as passionate about the music as you

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
The Capuzzi Double Bass Concerto - it's always such a fun piece to return to and perform! Many people don't often hear Double Bass concertos, and I find it to be a beautiful way of showcasing the fantastic tone and range of the instrument

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
In terms of music, I have had the musicals Dear Evan Hansen and Cabaret on repeat for a while. I have also had the movie Saving Mr. Banks as a regular rewatch for the past few years

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
A conductor I would love to work with is Gustavo Dudamel. I've always been struck by how passionate and expressive he is when conducting - it would be so exciting to work with his interpretation of some pieces I've played with other conductors in the past

Why is music and performing important to you?
I find it to be a unique form of self expression that is simultaneously so fun to take part in and can be a complex articulation of ideas and emotion

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I'm looking forward to engaging with so many other young musicians and working on some hopefully challenging repertoire together.

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Nearly 3 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
It's great to be able to add layers of harmony together. No part sounds complete when it's alone

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
It might seem basic but Beethoven's Fifth Symphony is a blast to play on the bass.

What are you currently binging orhave on repeat?
Big fan of anything Spiderman. In terms of music though I like to listen to Chopin on repeat

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Hans Zimmer - he made some of the soundtracks that got me into the idea of playing music professionally and I think he is very creative

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music is a world where there is no visual sense needed as the colour all comes from what you hear and how your brain interprets it. Performing is important to me because it gives me the opportunity to communicate with an audience in a way I find fun as well as being something they can enjoy too

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Playing the Planets Suite. Very clearly an inspiration for the Star Wars soundtrack which is one of the most iconic film scores of all time

Where do you call home?
Liverpool/Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
15 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
NYOS is unique in that a large portion of the orchestra doesn't want to pursue music professionally, but they are here because they genuinely love playing their instruments

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Anything groovy (or Shostakovich)!

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
I'm Grand Mam podcast

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Olivia Dean

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
My piccolo playing not being the loudest pipe in the orchestra!

Where do you call home?
Frederick, Maryland, USA, but I moved to Glasgow to study

How long have you been playing your instrument?
10 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
I love how every ensemble is different and no two will ever be the same with personnel or repertoire. It is so exciting to learn to play with new people, especially those my age, that I can relate to and connect with outside of the music and within it

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
So far, Bartok's Hungarian Peasant Song suite (as a flute solo) and Pines of Rome (ensemble)

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
I've been loving House MD, and listening to lots of salsa music lately (Willie Colón, Ruben Blades)

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I am most looking forward to meeting talented and hardworking musicians from around Scotland and the UK, and learning how they make music in and out of an orchestra setting

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
I’ve been playing the oboe since I was 11, but I’ve been playing piano and singing from a much younger age

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Playing with those my age who share a love for music is a truly special experience! You understand each other in a way that others don’t, and it’s amazing knowing that you are forming the next generation of youth orchestra musicians

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
I love playing symphonies; it’s incredible to play music that has been specially curated for all sections of the orchestra. My favourite that I have performed is probably Berlioz’s ‘Symphonie Fantastique’ - it’s a whirlwind of a piece and so much fun to play!

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
As a vet student I always have ‘All Creatures Great and Small’ playing on TV - it’s what I want my life to look like in the future! I have also been trying to listen to all of Mahler’s symphonies. I’m currently playing his first with another orchestra and so far it’s one of my favourites

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
It’s so hard to choose! I would have loved to meet Messiaen! His incorporation of bird song into his music was beautiful. It would be so interesting to discuss how nature and music intertwine, and how his faith influenced his compositions. I’m not much of a composer but I can think of many sounds in nature that I would like to include in a piece with him

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music is something deeply individual but shared, simultaneously. That is what I love most about it! It is a way of communicating with others which I find so beautiful; you can voice so much without words. Performing is such a valuable way to grow in confidence and communication, which are important for day-to-day life!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I can’t wait to play Maxwell Davies’ Orkney Wedding - it’s a brilliant piece! I don’t have much experience with playing Scottish music, so this is something I’m really excited to get stuck into

Where do you call home?
Johnstone

How long have you been playing your instrument?
10 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love the sound that an orchestra can make. Being surrounded by this wonderful sound is an experience like nothing else

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Berlioz's Symphonie Fantastique is definitely up there. There's just so much to love about the piece. Every section has its moment of brilliance.

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
I would have loved to have worked with Carlos Kleiber. I think he was just absolutely electric. I would also love to work with Kirill Petrenko. I think what he is doing in Berlin at the moment is terrific!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I'm very much looking forward to playing the Vaughan Williams piece A London Symphony. This piece was the first piece I performed in a symphony orchestra about 4 years ago. So it'll be great to revisit the piece 4 years on!

Where do you call home?
Oldham/Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
7 years

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
West Side Story - Symphonic Dances

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Where There’s a Will, There’s a Wake podcast and Fleetwood Mac

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
Fleetwood Mac

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Playing The Planets

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
4 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love that most of us are getting to know the piece for the first time. After learning excerpts for auditions, practising difficult corners and rehearsing intensely with the orchestra, there's a real sense of connection to the music. I know I won't forget the pieces I played with youth orchestras because they have had such a big impact on me

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
I've played Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story several times now and each performance has felt equally thrilling and empowering. It has so much wild energy combined with moments of beautiful tenderness and fragility, both elements making it challenging but inspiring to perform

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Mahler's 9th Symphony

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
I would have loved to play a bassoon concerto written by Shostakovich. It's so clear in his orchestral compositions that he loved the instrument so I think it would have been really interesting

Why is music and performing important to you?
Playing music is so important because it allows both composers and performers to say something about the world around them. That might be a description of something that happened to them, a protest against something they think is wrong or a celebration of something that is meaningful to them. This is really beneficial as it unites people from across the world over a shared feeling, making positive change more likely

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I'm very excited to be working with such experienced and dedicated musicians. The orchestra performs at a really high level so it's a privilege to be a part of - I think I'm going to learn a lot from the other musicians and hopefully improve a lot as an orchestral player.

Where do you call home?
Killearn

How long have you been playing your instrument?
8 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
Working as part of a team and hearing how much the pieces progress in a short time

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Weber Andante and Hungarian Rondo for Bassoon

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Meeting new people

Where do you call home?
Saline

How long have you been playing your instrument?
9 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Being part of something that sounds so cool and has so many moving parts so awesome

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
The Breaking Bad series has had me hooked again

Why is music and performing important to you?
Being part of a big team and doing something well together is so special to me

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Learning from such talented young people and getting to make such wonderful noise!

Where do you call home?
Radom, Poland

How long have you been playing your instrument?
9 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love sharing music with my friends, experiencing it together in a performance and in rehearsals

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
I really enjoy performing Shostakovich's 5th Symphony

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
I've been watching a lot of Black Mirror recently

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music is something I grew up with, it's always been in my life and brings me lots of joy. I love the feeling the excitement of a performance and the release of tension after. I really enjoy playing in an orchestra, it's my favourite thing to do

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
I'm most looking forward to the exciting repertoire, meeting with all my peers and performing in the great venues

Where do you call home?
St Andrew's

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Over 10 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Definitely the people

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Richard Strauss' Horn Concerto No. 1, particularly the last movement which is pure fun.

Why is music and performing important to you?
Because it's fun!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
The Planets, at least in terms of music

Where do you call home?
Port Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
6 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
Getting to meet so many people around my age with similar passions to me

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
My favourite piece I've ever played was Symphonic Dances from West Side Story, which is great fun for percussion

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
Bruno Mars's cover of All I Ask is such a banger

Why is music and performing important to you?
Because I've been doing it my whole life and hope to be doing it for the rest of my life!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Getting to play The Planets with a great orchestra!

Where do you call home?
Glasgow

How long have you been playing your instrument?
9 years

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
My favourite part about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians is creating an incredible collaborative sound together and having so much fun doing it!

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
My favourite piece of classical music to have performed has to be Berlioz's Symphony Fantastique as part of the NYOS tour last summer or Mahler's Symphony No. 7 which I played in my first year with NYOS

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music and performing is so important to me as I feel that collaborating and working with other musicians to create amazing music, the feeling of performing and telling a story together and the joy of sharing this with an audience is unlike anything else. Music can be so powerful and it is very special to be a part of that!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
This year at NYOS I am looking forward to another opportunity to play some incredible repertoire with amazing musicians!

Where do you call home?
Gowkthrapple, Wishaw

How long have you been playing your instrument?
I've been playing percussion for around 4 and a half years however have been playing drum kit for around 10 years!

What is your favourite part about playing in an orchestra?
I love the buzz in the air when playing with other young, passionate musicians! It's evident that everyone loves what they do and pours their heart and soul into their playing. There is something so magical and energising about this atmosphere!

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Bernstein's Symphonic Dances from West Side Story!

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
My music taste is all over the place, hehe! Right now I'm loving a mix of everything from Oasis, Pulp and the Stone Roses to Sabrina Carpenter, Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo. My favourite band is The Beatles; however, I'm slightly horrified at how bad the casting for the new biopic that's coming out soon lol - How could they do that to Ringo Starr!

What artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
A percussion concerto with Evelyn Glennie would be epic!

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music is such a universal art form. Everyone can relate to it in some way, shape or form. No matter their background, race or gender. I am studying to become a music teacher and am immensely passionate about making music, particularly classical music, accessible to every young person - no matter the barriers they may face. I want to disprove the common misconception amongst young people that classical music is for 'posh people' and empower all to create art and make music! Access to high-quality music education should be widespread for all young people!

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Getting to create positive change in the music industry with some of my best friends!

Where do you call home?
Edinburgh

How long have you been playing your instrument?
Since I was 9

What is your favourite thing about playing in an orchestra with other young musicians?
The friendships. Being around creative, wonderful, slightly weird people who are just as excited about music as I am

What is your favourite piece of classical music to perform, either solo or in an ensemble?
Bernstein's Symphonic Dances (the kit part!)

What are you currently binging or have on repeat?
RAYE and Donna Summer

Which artist or conductor would be your dream collab?
RAYE (and Catherine Larsen-Maguire)

Why is music and performing important to you?
Music, for me, is about people - connecting with others, sharing a feeling, and smiling and dancing together

What are you most looking forward to this year with NYOS?
Sectional rehearsals, the concerts, and the karaoke nights ;)