Australian Youth Orchestra

45 Chippen St, Chippendale NSW 2008

Kimbali Harding
Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +61 (0)427 155 734
Email: KimbaliHarding@ayo.com.au
https://www.ayo.com.au

Ed Le Brocq (ABC Classic FM) recently described The Australian Youth Orchestra (AYO) as ‘one of Australia’s best orchestras’. In fact, AYO is one of the world’s most prestigious and innovative training organisations for young musicians. It holds a vital and unique place in Australia’s musical landscape, bringing together exceptional artists, tutors and young musicians from every corner of the country and beyond. AYO concerts are high-energy, edge of your chair experiences and are perfect for newcomers as well as seasoned audiences.

Since 1970, the flagship orchestra of the AYO represents Australia on the world’s leading international stages touring with artists such as Sir Chales Mackerras, Sir Mark Elder, Maestro Vladimir Ashkenazy, Joshua Bell, William Barton and Maestro Christoph Eschenbach. In 2025, after a hiatus due to the COVID pandemic, the AYO will return to Europe’s concert halls under the baton of Maestro David Robertson.

Our training pathway has been created to nurture the musical development of Australia’s finest young instrumentalists across metropolitan and regional Australia: from the emerging, gifted, school-aged student to those on the verge of a professional career. AYO presents tailored training and performance programs each year for aspiring musicians, composers, arts administrators and music journalists aged 12 to 30.