Having started the clarinet at the age of 8, Raj studied at Glasgow at the Music School of Douglas Academy and the Junior Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. In September 2023 he began undergraduate studies at the Royal Academy of Music on an ABRSM Scholarship. Raj was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain for 5 years, including a year as principal, with multiple performances at the BBC Proms. He formed the Dogoda Quintet with other ex-NYOGB principals in 2023. In 2026, they will be Ensemble in Residence with Poole Society for Young Musicians. Raj teaches clarinet and chamber music at the Youth Music Centre, North London.

Zoe is a flugelhorn player from Livingston. She began playing at age nine in primary school and went on to perform with the West Lothian County Brass Band. Now in her final year studying Spanish at the University of St Andrews, she has been closely involved with the Laidlaw Music Centre through the StAMP outreach programme, both as a research intern and as a volunteer tutor with Discovering Brass. Inspired by this work, she launched her ‘Brass Across Borders’ project with support from the R&A International Scholarship, collaborating with music initiatives from Uganda to Mexico. Zoe is excited to join the NYOS Music Leaders programme and continue developing her skills in music education.

Whilst attending the RNCM for the past 3 years, Finn has trained as both a performer and educator. As an ambassador of the Benedetti Foundation, he has received mentorship and training from leading educators around the world, focusing on key areas such as planning for progression, workshop leading, safeguarding and inclusivity. Finn has been employed for the past year by Liverpool Philharmonic In Harmony as a brass tutor, delivering group and 1-2-1 tuition to a variety of age groups multiple times per week. Through the Music Leaders programme, he is looking to push myself into new environments and wants to focus on workshop leading and group teaching.

Jakub has always loved music, art and everything creative and wanted to pursue music in any form ever since he picked up the trombone in school. He has since graduated university with a degree in music and has worked as a music tutor in community bands. As a music practitioner, inclusivity is something Jakub values highly and he believes that anyone should be given the opportunity for music making. It's been his experience working with all types of different people, that he has seen that no matter the challenges someone may encounter in life, there is always a way forward with the right support.

Emma is a Scottish violinist who studied music at the University of Edinburgh. Since graduating, she has worked in both leading and supporting roles as a musicianship and violin teacher, and a community music facilitator. Emma is passionate about making music accessible to children and young people of all backgrounds. She is particularly keen to encourage engagement with music in disadvantaged areas around Scotland.

Kasia is a young violinist exploring various avenues for her musical practice - she has journeyed through a range of performance setups, from the chamber orchestra to band work, and also enjoys composing and teaching young learners. She is always looking for new opportunities to grow, experiment and push the boundaries of her musical identity.

Freya is a bassoonist from Perth in her first year of a MMus degree at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She is a keen performer, playing with many ensembles ranging from the RSNO to her own bassoon quartet. Throughout her musical journey Freya has always been passionate about improving the reach and inclusivity of music for young people, and is eager to expand her knowledge and impact as a Music Leader.

Rosie is a fourth-year music student and clarinettist at Edinburgh Napier University. Over the last few years she has become increasingly involved in the community music scene in Edinburgh which has deepened her passion for creating inclusive spaces through music. She is excited be a part of the NYOS Music Leaders team and is most looking forward to developing her skills as an educator and exploring new ways of collaborating through music.

Phoebe is a flautist from Liverpool with a passion for equity, inclusion, and the expression of creativity in music education. She currently studies at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and was lucky enough to play with NYOS in 2025, including the tour to Berlin. She is excited to further her education and workshop leading experience with NYOS in 2026.

Emily McDougall is a double bassist and bass guitarist from East Lothian, Scotland. They have just graduated from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland in Glasgow. In their third year, they took part in an exchange program with the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki, where they were given the chance to perform at the BBC Proms 2024 with students from the Sibelius Academy and Royal College of Music in London. This year they were fortunate enough to take part in professional experience schemes with both the RSNO and BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra. They are a keen jazz musician, regularly playing bass guitar with the Ivy Big Band, a big band for women and gender minorities. Additionally, they regularly play in pit bands for musical theatre/opera productions.

Katie is a clarinettist in her final year studying Music at the University of Edinburgh, specialising in performance and community music. She has performed in orchestras, chamber ensembles and as a soloist, and enjoys creating performance opportunities for her peers. She works as a teaching assistant at a music education charity, and has run community music programmes in special schools and primary schools. She is passionate about broadening accessibility to music and dismantling elitism within music education.

Matilda grew up in Spain, in a small town near Madrid, and moved to Scotland to start her degree in French and History at Edinburgh University. She's played the cello her whole life, and of course she couldn't leave it behind! Matilda has been involved several musical projects over the course of her years here, including playing in the NYOS orchestra since 2022! She is so excited to be part of this programme, and very much looking forward to learning from the Music Leaders team throughout this year.