Alumni Stories: Aaron Wyatt
A music graduate from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Dragon played clarinet in the WA Young Orchestra and began his conducting career in 2011 after winning the WA Youth Orchestra’s Woodside Concerto Competition...
Alumni Stories: Kaboom Percussion
Both WAYO alumni, Josh & Cat founded Kaboom Percussion and have built careers as self-described "pro hitters-of-things"...
Alumni Stories: Christopher Dragon
A music graduate from the West Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), Dragon played clarinet in the WA Young Orchestra and began his conducting career in 2011 after winning the WA Youth Orchestra’s Woodside Concerto Competition...
Meet the Musician: Emily Jones
For me, being a part of WAYO is such an enjoyable experience, to be able to play alongside talented young musicians and make music together is so much fun! I love the opportunity to perform huge symphonies and pieces that are usually tackled by professional orchestras. It fills me with so much pride that a group of young musicians can bring these pieces to life at an exceptional level. Each season, the path from the very first rehearsal to [ read more ]
Introducing: WAYO NEXT
WAYO NEXT is an exciting new collection of initiatives with the goal of empowering all WAYO members to reach new heights in their musical skills and personal development...
WAYO the Brave
"Thanks for a terrific night of music. Soul-stirring stuff. Great choice of repertoire and superb performances all round. Heartwarming to see these fabulous young people playing their hearts out. The future of music in WA is in good hands." We would like to extend a massive thank you to everyone that came out in force to support this collaboration, and made such a magical & memorable performance possible...
2024 Scholarship Opportunities
Over the past 4 years, the Peter Moore OAM Scholarship has awarded over $25,000 to assist and inspire tertiary students. Applications for 2024 are now open...
Meet the Musician: Emma Ou
"I began playing in the WA Youth Orchestras Association in 2017 in Sinfonietta. After spending a year in Sinfonietta, Collegium and Philharmonic, I joined the WA Youth Orchestra in 2020. I have learnt so much from all the different ensembles and they have all strongly contributed to my musical journey thus far."
Meet the Musician: Daniel Corvaia
"2023 will mark my tenth year as a member of the WA Youth Orchestras program. I have enjoyed making wonderful music with many different colleagues, conductors, and various ensembles. My journey began in 2014 with the Sinfonietta String Orchestra...
Meet the Musician: Emma John
Emma is one of the recipients of a 2023 Peter Moore Scholarship. She writes about her WAYO experience: I have been a part of the WAYO organisation for three years. I initially joined the Philharmonic in 2021, and then moved into the orchestra in 2022. This year I am very excited to be the principal horn of the Western Australian Youth Orchestra. Being a part of WAYO has been fundamental in my development as a young musician...
WAYO quartet inspired by Kronos masterclass
“To vib, or not to vib: that is the question. Or is it?” As quoted by legendary Kronos Quartet cellist Paul Wiancko, who mentored our talented WAYO quartet members in an awe-inspiring private masterclass which explored the intricacies of musical style, use of vibrato, ensemble playing and the art of playing contemporary works with musical freedom. [ read more ]
Meet the Musician: Erica Wong
Erica is one of the recipients of a 2023 Violin Scholarship. She writes about her WAYO experience: My WAYO journey began in 2015 as a member of the Collegium ensemble. Enjoying my first taste of orchestral playing, I decided to continue my journey in Philharmonic from 2017-2018. From 2019 until now I have been apart of the WAYO orchestra and haven't looked back since!
Take Five with Breanna Fernandes
One of our longest-serving current members takes a moment to look back on her time in WAYO before heading off on an international adventure! Her thirteen-year-long journey with us has taken her across many Western Australian and International stages, culminating in a Perth Concert Hall swan song on Sunday 5 June, 2022...
Rite & Revolution Wrap-Up!
"It was wonderful to be at a concert in the PCH where the audience was not dominated by white hair. More please.” We adore our supporters, young and old, but we can't deny the hope we feel upon seeing WA's younger patrons turn up in droves to support classical music. Click below to read the reviews, take in the stunning live-performance images, and see what our audience had to say about this distinctive production. As The West Australian put it, [ read more ]
Rite & Revolution
Uniting orchestra and contemporary dance, this is the Rite of Spring as you've never seen it before...
Take Five with Percussionist Joey Eng
Next month, Joey will join the WA Youth Orchestra on the Perth Concert Hall stage for their upcoming concert, Boléro. As the percussionist, Joey will execute the challenging snare drum part in Ravel’s most famous work. He will also have the exciting experience of participating in the world premiere of Australian composer Georgia Scott’s new work, Into the Deep. We spoke to Joey about this exciting upcoming concert, and his journey to becoming a percussionist and composer.
WAYO celebrates revived premiere
Like many organisations, WAYO has keenly felt the impact of COVID-19, particularly regarding our 2020 concert season and initiatives. One of our newest and most highly anticipated initiatives, the Carol Day Commission, was put on ice as we navigated our way through a time of unprecedented performance uncertainty. We are thrilled to finally give the 2020 Carol Day Commission its well-deserved premiere this coming September! Composed by Georgia Scott, Into the Deep draws from both mythology and the aesthetic of the sublime, highlighting the ocean’s power to inspire both terror and awe...
‘Spirit’ in review
The word is out and Spirit is a hit! Our mammoth 120-piece orchestra, joined by Numbulwar local Don Nunggarrgalu (Northern Territory), soared as they tackled symphonic works of old and new at Perth Concert Hall this past Sunday (30 May 2021). Seesaw's Claire Coleman writes...
Stop, Collaborate and Listen
WAYO announces its newest interdisciplinary venture - collaborating with Western Australian wunderkind, Scott Elstermann...
The Art of Collaboration
West Australian Opera is excited to present the magical storytelling of The Nightingale in an exciting and unique collaboration between five companies. We take you behind the scenes to explore the creation of The Nightingale in a season that harness the next generation of WA talent. On this weeks behind the scenes journey we speak with members from the WA Youth Orchestra as they share with us what is involved in preparing and learning a new score. WA Opera is [ read more ]
July Holiday Rehearsal Season at the Perth Concert Hall
We warmly welcome back all our WAYO members to what will prove to be an exciting week of rehearsals and performances at the Perth Concert Hall! As isolation restrictions are now lifting, WAYO is gradually making a safe return. The July Holiday Rehearsal Season will provide a wonderful opportunity for all our WAYO members to reunite for a week of rehearsals, tutorials and music activities at The Perth Concert Hall during the school holidays. Support WAYO’s Future with a Tax [ read more ]
2020 WAYO Cello Scholarship Recipient – Tiffany Lee
Congratulations to Tiffany Lee for receiving the WA Youth Orchestra Cello Scholarship for 2020. Through the support of our generous donors, sponsors and supporters, WA Youth Orchestras is home to a family of high-quality instruments including an outstanding 18th Century Cello and bow valued at approximately $50,000. [ read more ]
Take five with Oliver Crofts
Oliver recently travelled to Melbourne, having been invited to the second and final round live auditions for the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM). He has since been offered a scholarship position in the 2020 ANAM Professional Performance Program in Melbourne, where he will study with David Thomas – Head of Winds ANAM (Principal Clarinet – Melbourne Symphony Orchestra). [ read more ]
A World Premiere for WAYO
Announcing the Inaugural Carol Day commissioned work by Melody Eötvös Originally from the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Melody recently relocated to Melbourne via the USA, where she completed her Doctor of Music, to take up a full time post at the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music. Her work draws on both multi-media and traditional instrumental contexts, as well substantial extra-musical references to a broad range of philosophical topics and late 19th Century literature. Recent commissions include a percussion and choral [ read more ]