UK based Andrew studied conducting and orchestration with Denis McCaldin at Lancaster University and with Peter Stark at Trinity College of Music where he graduated with distinction and won the Ricordi Conducting Prize. Notable work has included Stockhausen’s rarely performed ‘Gruppen’, an appearance with the National Youth Orchestra Sinfonietta and the critically acclaimed ‘Medousa: A Miniature Opera’ for which he was composer and musical supervisor. “What we heard was a marvel…the most convincing, gripping, sheerly beautiful realisation of Gruppen that I’ve heard.” – Paul Driver, The Sunday Times Andrew has worked with soloists Guy Johnston, Stephen Hough, Jennifer Pike and Peter Donohoe, amongst others, and has given the premiere of a new work for ‘DJ’ and ensemble by Gabriel Prokofiev. He has prepared music for film composer Debbie Wiseman, conductors Barry Wordsworth and Ed Gardner, and has performed alongside celebrities such as Jonathan Ross, Henry Kelly and the late Sir Terry Wogan. In addition he has held teaching posts at Lancaster and Oxford Brookes Universities and is the long-standing conductor of the Junior Trinity Symphony Orchestra, the BBC Elstree Concert Band and St. Paul’s Sinfonia, the latter of which he has conducted in over a hundred concerts. In February 2004 Andrew was awarded first prize at the prestigious Allianz-Cornhill Musical Insurance Conducting Competition having received unanimous votes from both jury and orchestra. He is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Germany based Yury is a conductor and a pianist. Since 2019 he has been working at Theatre and Philharmony Altenburg Gera in Germany, in 2016-2019 conductor at Rousse State Opera and Philharmonic, later opera coach and conductor at State Opera Sofia, both in Bulgaria. Before the decision to emigrate in 2016, Yury made his steps as a musician from pianist and assistant conductor to musical director of the state opera and professor at the Institute of Arts at his native city of Volgograd in Russia. Yury was the co-founder and only conductor of Volgograd Children’s Symphony Orchestra, a 70+ youth symphony orchestra that was honoured to play in 2014 at Coventry Cathedral to commemorate the 70 years of the foundation of the Twin-City movement. The group delivered many other important peace-making projects, such as translation and world premiere in the Russian language of the Theresienstadt opera “Brundibar” by Hans Krasa, and other initiatives in the UK, Bulgaria, the Czech Republic, also at the city of Beslan in Russia and others. As pianist won first and second prizes in 11 competitions, including IV Prokofiev Competition in Saint-Petersburg (2004), active as chamber pianist, has recordings on CD and television. As guest conductor stood on the podiums in the UK, France, Belgium, Argentina, Ecuador, South Korea, Bulgaria, including Sofia Philharmonic Orchestra. Alumni of Volgograd State Institute of Arts and Culture as pianist (2004), of Saint-Petersburg State Conservatory as symphony and opera conductor (2011), currently completing post-diploma studies in conducting at F. Liszt Conservatory in Weimar, Germany. Yury also holds a PhD in linguistics with the thesis ‘Phonetic Characteristics of Sung Speech’ (2007).

Nathan has been a double bass player in the orchestra since 2006 and is very proud to lead the promotion of international friendship through high quality music-making. ​​Nathan is Director of IT, Systems Innovation & Digital Strategy and also Examinations Secretary at Edgbaston High School for Girls where he has worked since 2017, leading and managing various technology and music projects whilst teaching girls from Nursery age through to A-level. Previously, Nathan was Head of Music, Hardwicke Theatre Manager and Activities Week Coordinator at Thorns Community College in the West Midlands. He gained a Masters of Arts in Education at Birmingham City University in 2015 where he graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Music Technology (BSc) in 2009. Nathan was a founding Director of Young Orchestras in 2011 becoming Course Director of European Youth Music Week in 2021. ​ Nathan has sung with Birmingham Voices as part of Russell Watson’s UK Tour and on BBC’s Songs of Praise. He is an audio producer and sound engineer and work includes ‘Self Taught, Still Learning’, an album of original musical theatre songs written by Chris Passey, featuring various West End artists.

Having recently completed A Levels, Kate is preparing to study International Management and Spanish at university, bringing with her a wealth of experience in live event production and technical management. While her musical journey began as a flautist, her passion quickly expanded beyond performance into the world behind the scenes, where she has become an accomplished live sound engineer and event technician. As Head of Technical Production for 5 years, Kate oversaw the technical delivery of performing arts events, managing sound and production. Her leadership has been instrumental in the successful delivery of concerts, productions and large-scale performances, developing a reputation for calm decision-making, technical precision and exceptional organisational skills. Beyond school, Kate has gained professional live sound experience through Gig Caritas, providing front-of-house and live sound production for events at venues including Dudley Town Hall. Her hands-on experience with professional audio systems, combined with a passion for delivering high-quality live events, has equipped her with technical expertise well beyond her years. As Course Administrator, she brings this same level of professionalism, reliability and enthusiasm, ensuring every aspect of the course runs smoothly while supporting both participants and staff alike.

Alex is an oboist and educator based in the UK, specialising in film music and technology within music education. He studied oboe at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, graduating with a Masters in Music, under renowned oboist Nicholas Daniel and also plays cor anglais, oboe d’amore, saxophone and percussion. He then went on to work in the music industry for over 10 years, regularly performing with professional orchestras throughout the UK. Alex was also a member of the Aquilon Ensemble, an award-winning wind quintet made up of other ex-Guildhall students, who recorded contemporary classical works for BBC Radio 3 and performed across Europe. In 2022, Alex decided to re-train as a teacher and now teaches at a prestigious boarding school in the UK, championing students to access music through sound in the classroom and excellence in instrumental performance. Alex has been involved with European Youth Music in some form since 2008, when he first attended as a student and was delighted to be asked to return as a staff member in 2023.

Anton joined the European Youth Music family as a percussionist in 2011 and became a staff member in 2016. In 2022, he took on the role of hosting the EYMW Karaoke Night, a yearly highlight cherished by all participants. As part of various youth and amateur orchestras, Anton has performed across Germany and toured internationally to Spain, Italy, Japan, and China. Anton studied Computer Science in Düsseldorf and currently works as a Software Engineer in Hamburg. He is also an active member of the Open Source Community, which has given him the opportunity to speak at various international conferences.