Become a Member
Community

Cellist hits the high notes with selection for the National Youth Orchestra

Kalli Ziegler, 15, is one of the youngest musicians in the orchestra

October 30, 2023 14:24
Kalli Ziegler
1 min read

A teenage cellist, who went along to an audition for the National Youth Orchestra “for the experience”, has been selected to join the renowned ensemble.

Kalli Ziegler, 15, from East Finchley, told the JC that it was “an honour” to have been picked after a two-round selection process.

“For the first part, I had to send in a video of myself playing two pieces, and for the second round, we were all invited to spend a day with the orchestra. They wanted to see how we interacted with one another or if we were able to lead other musicians. It was quite an intense day but also really inspiring."

The member of Finchley Reform Synagogue, who played the cello at the synagogue for her bat mitzvah, is one of 18 cellists in an orchestra of around 160 musicians. A long-time member of the National Children’s Orchestra, Kalli practises for around 16 hours a week. Her first performance with the NYO will be in January.