Leeds teenager earns spot in acclaimed National Youth Orchestra

A teenager from Leeds has earned a place in the acclaimed National Youth Orchestra, making her one of only four people from Yorkshire to bag a spot.
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Angelica Rowe from Roundhay, is one of ten young musicians chosen to play double bass in the 2020 NYO of Great Britain.

Fourteen-year-old Angelica, known to friends and family as Jelly, said she is "thrilled" but "shocked" to be accepted due to her young age.

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She said: "I was in the National Children's Orchestra this year which was an amazing experience.

Fourteen-year-old Angelica earned a place as one of ten double bass players in the National Youth Orchestra. Photo by James Hardisty.Fourteen-year-old Angelica earned a place as one of ten double bass players in the National Youth Orchestra. Photo by James Hardisty.
Fourteen-year-old Angelica earned a place as one of ten double bass players in the National Youth Orchestra. Photo by James Hardisty.

"I thought I would give the NYO auditions a go and just see what happened.

"I was really shocked when I got in because of my age but I am absolutely thrilled and amazed to be accepted."

The Roundhay School pupil hopes that she can use her position in the orchestra to inspire others in Leeds.

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The year-10 pupil said: "I really want to inspire others and make a difference. Music is a great way of expressing yourself.

"I've found that if you're going through a difficult time you can play through your emotions and let everything out through your music

"Often music isn't encouraged in certain areas as much as it is in other ones.

"I think it's really important that everyone gets the opportunity to learn music and experience the love of music that I have been lucky enough to experience."

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Proud mum Lisa Rudkin said: "We are all so proud of her - even if it was a pain carrying that huge double bass down to the auditions in London.

"Jelly's not had the easiest of starts. She was only 3 months old when her dad died suddenly from a heart condition.

"It was a difficult time. I had four little children.

"I think as she's got older, she's found a comfort in playing double bass and now she's got into one of the best orchestras in the country."

The doctor and mother-of-six added: "Very few from the north of England get a place. She's only one of four from Yorkshire and the only one from Leeds.

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"I just think it's great that a state school child from the north has got into the NYO as it is usually well off people from the south.

"She's just a normal girl that plays a lot of football and goes to a comprehensive.

"I hope it shows that anyone from Leeds can apply and get in - there's no barriers."

Angelica's music teacher, Angus Milne, also hopes she can be an inspiration for others.

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Mr Milne said "Most of the people in the NYO are from London and the south so Angelica getting in sends a really good message to people in the North that we can be a part of this too."

The musician and educator from Leeds added: "I've been teaching Angelica for six years and she's worked really hard from the off.

"She is enthusiastic and talented - as a teacher it's great to teach someone like that

"She just shows that if you stick at it and put the hard work in you can get where you want to be.

"She is a product of her own hard work and determination."

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Angelica will now play in concert halls across the country as part of the NYO.

She will begin performing in January with shows at the Barbican, Coventry and Nottingham before culminating with a performance at The Proms at the Albert Hall in Spring.