Each time LYFE perform a wonderful, inspiring set brimming with quality music and enthusiasm in equal measure – this is what music is all about and their performance never fails to delight! - Folk by the Oak
For young people aged 11 to 19 years old at the start of the academic year (up to 24 years old at the start of the academic year for D/deaf and disabled young people)
The Ensemble meets regularly from September to July and performs at exciting events across London and beyond. In the past year, LYFE has performed at Cecil Sharp House, Folk By The Oak festival, Trafalgar Square, and Greenwich Park.
LYFE is open to confident musicians of any instrument. This means that you should be able to play your instrument independently and confidently, but do not need to have passed any particular grade. All music is taught by ear and no previous experience of folk music is needed. You don't have to live in London to join LYFE - as long as you can travel to our rehearsals at Cecil Sharp House, you are welcome to join.
London Youth Folk Ensemble is an annual commitment and places are offered after you attend our taster session at the start of the Autumn term.
Taking part can contribute to an Arts Award Bronze or Silver Award.
How do I join?
To join the London Youth Folk Ensemble you need to:
- Be 11 to 19 years old (up to up to 24 year olds for D/deaf and disabled young people)
- Have a good grasp of technique on your instrument and be able to play tunes confidently
- Have some experience of learning and playing tunes by ear
- Have some experience of playing your instrument in a group (eg band, ensemble, orchestra)
- Demonstrate passion for folk music and commitment to the Ensemble
- Attend a free trial session to meet the tutors, to gain a taste of playing with the ensemble and for us to see if you are ready to join the ensemble
The Autumn term is underway, but if you are interested in joining the ensemble this year you are welcome to join us for a (free) session before committing. Just get in touch with [email protected] to find out more..
London Youth Folk Ensemble is an annual commitment.
LYFE performing at Folk by the Oak, 2024
2026-27 dates
Various Sundays, 2 - 5pm
Autumn Term 2026: 20 Sept | 4, 18 Oct | 8, 15, 29 Nov
Spring Term 2027: 17, 24 Jan | 7, 21 Feb | 7, 21 Mar
Summer Term 2027: 11, 25 Apr | 16, 23 May | 6, 20 June
LYFE and Friends concert 2027: Saturday 26 June
Folk by the Oak: 18 July
Various performance dates will be added.
Learning by ear means I have gained a more intuitive and collaborative approach to music which is really fun and enables me to be creative
Fees
Fees will be payable after your taster session if you decide you would like to join the Ensemble for the full academic year.
2026-27 LYFE fee: £360 | £285 concessions
You are eligible for the concessionary rate if:
- You are in receipt of free school meals
- You are a looked-after or displaced young person
- Your parent/guardian is in receipt of an Income-Based Benefit (such as Universal Credit)
To enquire about the concessionary rate, please contact [email protected]
Bursary Places
We want more young people from a wider range of backgrounds and economic circumstances to benefit from joining London Youth Folk Ensemble.
To support this, we have set aside a limited number of bursary places (partial or full bursaries) to enable keen young musicians who would not otherwise be able to afford the concessionary fees for the Ensemble.
To find out more about bursaries, please contact [email protected]
Listen to LYFE performing at Folk by the Oak 2025:
Listen to LYFE performing at Folk by the Oak 2024:
Meet the team
Aaron Horlock (Music Leader)
Aaron Horlock is a multi-instrumentalist and educator with backgrounds in both traditional and classical music. During his studies at Trinity Laban, Aaron found a love for traditional music from the British isles and beyond and has been an active member of the scene since. Aaron has toured and played festivals around the UK with various bands and artists and is currently playing as a member of Man The Lifeboats as well as with duo partner Nick Goode.
Maya McCourt (Music Leader)
Maya is a cellist, singer and teacher. She is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh, and has a Master’s degree in Music in Development from SOAS in London. She has taken part in lots of community music projects across the world, and plays with her band Salt Moon. She works with the refugee charity Play for Progress, and is a project coordinator for JMI’s Ethno England, as well as running Flotsam Sessions.
Cori Smith (Pastoral Support Staff)
Cori Smith (BBC Radio 2 Young Folk Musician of the Year finalist 2019) is a violist and composer from the North of England. Her playing has been described by Soweto Kinch (BBC Radio 3) as bringing “character, sincerity and both fragility and strength.” She performs with Seth Bye as ‘Tightrope Moon’ - a celestial folk duo - with Mercury Prize nominee Laura Jurd, and her trio ‘Once a Fig’ is inspired by her time studying Scandinavian folk music at the Royal College of Music in Sweden. After graduating from Trinity Laban Conservatoire for Music and Dance, she ran away with the circus to perform with the Peregrine Circus Band.
Terms and conditions and Policies
Henry’s folk journey
From the August 2023 edition of English Dance and Song magazine: meet Henry Walker, who is profoundly autistic and has been a member of the London Youth Folk Ensemble for almost five years.
Mia's folk journey
From the April 2025 edition of English Dance and Song magazine: Mía Iles Pérez shares her folk music journey from London Youth Folk Ensemble newcomer to trainee tutor.
Future Makers
From the April 2023 edition of English Dance and Song magazine: Elye Cuthbertson, a recent member of the National Youth Folk Ensemble, tells us how he took folk music to the heart of the Royal Albert Hall’s competition.
LYFE graphic created by Aidan Saunders.
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