The group and tutors are really friendly and supportive. My confidence as a performer has increased dramatically since joining this awesome band! I couldn't recommend it more – Olivia
For young people aged 11 to 19 years old (up to 24 years old for D/deaf and disabled young people)
Welcoming young musicians who want to create and perform amazing folk music together!
The Ensemble meets regularly from September to July, co-led by Camilo Menjura and Alexandra Patterson, and performs at exciting events across London and beyond.
LYFE is open for improver to advanced level musicians of any instrument. This means that you should be confident using your instrument and be able to play independently 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.
London Youth Folk Ensemble is an annual commitment and places are offered after you attend our Sampler 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
London Youth Folk Ensemble is an annual commitment.
Do you know a dedicated London-based young musician aged 11–19 (up to 24 years old for deaf and disabled young people) in need of a bursary?
We want more young people from a wider range of backgrounds and socio-economic circumstances to benefit from joining London Youth Folk Ensemble. To support this, we have set aside a limited number of bursary places to enable keen young musicians, whose families would not otherwise be able to afford the existing concessionary fees for the Ensemble, to take part. This is usually a partial bursary which provides a substantial discount to the concessionary rate. In exceptional circumstances a full bursary may be given. To help us reach the young people who would most benefit from this opportunity, we have created this new nomination process.
We accept nominations from music leaders, teachers, youth workers, social workers, community leaders and any adults that work with the young person and can vouch for their dedication to music. However, we cannot accept applications from parents/guardians. We will contact them for permission if their child has been given a provisional place.
Nominators can nominate as many young people as they wish (using one form per young person) but note that we only have a limited number of bursaries available.
We will be considering nominations up until 5pm Thursday 29 September but encourage nominations as early as possible.
Please use our Notification Form below to submit.
2022–23 dates
Autumn Term 2022: Sept 18 | Oct 2, 16 | Nov 6, 20 | Dec 4
Spring Term 2023: Jan 15, 29 | Feb 5, 19 | March 12, 26
Summer Term 2023: April 23 | May 7, 21 | June 4, 11, 25
The Takeover 2023: Saturday 1 July
Other Performances:
LSO St. Luke’s (26 March)
Folk By The Oak, festival at Hatfield House (16 July)
Fees
Annual fee: £285 | £215 concessions (advance booking required)
We want everyone who is offered a place in the Ensemble to be able to take it up. We are able to offer some financial support – please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you will struggle to afford the full fees.
Bursary
Do you know a dedicated London-based young musician aged 11-19 (up to 24 years old for deaf and disabled young people) in need of a bursary?
We want more young people from a wider range of backgrounds and socio-economic circumstances to benefit from joining London Youth Folk Ensemble. To support this, we have set aside a limited number of bursary places to enable keen young musicians, whose families would not otherwise be able to afford the existing concessionary fees for the Ensemble, to take part. This is a partial bursary which provides a substantial discount to the concessionary rate. Only in exceptional circumstances will a full bursary be given. To help us reach the young people who would most benefit from this opportunity, we have created this new nomination process.
Who can nominate?
We accept nominations from music leaders, teachers, youth workers, social workers, community leaders and any adults that work with the young person and can vouch for their dedication to music. However, we cannot accept applications from parents/guardians. We will contact them for permission if their child has been given a provisional place.
Nominators can nominate as many young people as they wish but note that we only have a limited number of bursaries available.
Meet the team
Camilo Menjura (Joint Music Leader)
Colombian guitarist, singer and choir leader, Camilo has won several Latin UK Awards (LUKAS) for his work in sharing Latin American musical culture through various projects in the UK. He has played with a number of bands visiting stages across Britain as well Europe, Asia, Central & South America. His guitar playing has been featured in films, TV shows, theatre productions and documentaries. Camilo will bring his extensive experience as a performer and music educator to the LFYE.
Alexandra Patterson (Joint Music Leader)
Alexandra Patterson is a fiddle player, guitarist, singer and educator with a varied background in traditional folk and alternative music. She’s worked with the likes of Martin Green (LAU) and Michael McGoldrick. She’s the key founder of the band ‘AK Patterson’ who supported alt-J on tour internationally and around the UK, appearing at the Royal Albert Hall and showcased at The Cambridge Folk Festival.
Mahesh Parkar (Trainee Music Leader)
Mahesh is a multi-instrumentalist, mainly playing the piano and tabla. A part of the Grand Union Orchestra (GUO), he is also a member of The Re:Generation Band. Mahesh has regularly worked in theatre, working with the Hackney Empire Theatre, Royal Court Theatre and the Tower Theatre. He was a part of the Hackney Empire's flagship education program - The Artist Development Programme (ADP). In the last year, he has also accompanied various artists, including singers, producers and sitar players. He has facilitated a range of theatre and music projects with organisations such as the Hackney Empire, Ark Music, Hackney Shed and Fairbeats.
Terms and conditions and Policies
