Jo Freya to be Artistic Director of National Youth Folk Ensemble
Tuesday 24th of January 2023
The English Folk Dance and Song Society is delighted to appoint the multi-instrumentalist and singer Jo Freya as the third Artistic Director of its National Youth Folk Ensemble.
Jo will lead the Ensemble from October 2023, succeeding Sam Partridge (2019–23) and Sam Sweeney (2016–19).
Jo Freya’s background is rooted in the traditional folk music of England, having started playing and being in bands since her early teens. Many of the bands she is in have been major influencers on the development of UK folk music, including the legendary Blowzabella. As a musical collaborator Jo set up Freyja, a European band, featuring female instrumentalists and their music from different countries. She has also collaborated with Breton-British band Belen and Dutch band Maalstroom, and she recently formed Harmonia with jazz trombonist Annie Whitehead. She sings in Voices at the Door, who perform with the author Michael Morpurgo.
Jo has also taught extensively in workshops and summer schools, with work including mixed instrument ensembles, one-to-one instrument tuition, singing solo and in harmony, dancing and more.
Jo plays soprano and tenor saxophones, clarinet, bass clarinet and traditional whistles. She is a prolific writer and arranger of melodies and songs. She particularly enjoys bringing out the creativity in others.
Jo Freya said: “I am thrilled and honoured to have been offered this post. I feel passionately about sharing music and creativity, and this opportunity will be an exciting way of building on my past achievements with the musicians of the future.”
About the National Youth Folk Ensemble
The National Youth Folk Ensemble celebrates excellence in youth folk music, bringing together talented young folk musicians from across England to create and perform inspiring new arrangements of folk music. The Ensemble’s vision is for young people throughout England to discover, play and love folk music – encouraging progression from earliest grassroots activity in schools and community settings on to lifelong engagement as participants and professionals.
The National Youth Folk Ensemble was founded by the English Folk Dance and Song Society in 2016, and is supported by Arts Council England.
The standard was excellent – their musicianship, stage presence, performance skills and enthusiasm made it an evening to remember for a long time – Songlines
This was a stunning event on a number of levels. It was lovely music, beautifully played. It was wonderful to see the new generation engaging with our traditions and making them their own. It was exemplary practise in giving young people their own artistic voice – Graeme Smith, Head of Croydon Music and Arts
