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.
If you are interested in joining London Youth Folk Ensemble come to the Sampler session, the first session of the year. You will meet the tutors, learn some tunes and find out more about the coming year’s plans and events.
This event is free but advance booking required. Sampler sessions take place each September at Cecil Sharp House.
Our next Sampler Session will be on Sunday 18 September 2022, 2–5pm:
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 9.30am on Monday 12 September but encourage nominations as early as possible.
Please use our Notification Form below to submit.
Summer Term 2022: Apr 24 | May 8, 22 | June 5, 12, 26
Performances on Saturday 2 July at The Takeover and 17 July at Folk by the Oak
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, 26th
Summer Term 2023: April 23 | May 7, 21 | June 4, 11, 25
The Takeover 2023: Saturday 1 July
Potential performances, to be confirmed (for planning purposes)
LSO St. Luke’s (tbc 26 March)
Folk By The Oak, festival at Hatfield House (tbc 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.
Connor Reynolds (Trainee Music Leader)
Conor plays the flute and melodeon, English and Irish music. He has some teaching experience but wants to do this traineeship to further develop his education work as he is considering a career in education and teaching.
How to get the best from joining London Youth Folk Ensemble should sessions need to take place online
Due to Covid-19 related restrictions, if all or part of this course is not able to take place at Cecil Sharp House, it will take place online instead. Sessions will predominantly be run using Zoom with some additional material shared via sound and video files. You do not need a Zoom account to join the course and will be able to access the sessions via your browser and our web links. A free basic Zoom account will, however, get you access to additional sound settings, which could be helpful if not essential.
For the best possible experience you will need a computer with a webcam, microphone and ear/headphones. You will also need a stable home Internet connection or 4G-mobile connection (Note that using a mobile internet connection can be costly, check your mobile phone tariffs before choosing this option). You can also use the Zoom app on a tablet or even a mobile phone; however, a larger screen will give you a better overall experience.
Terms and conditions and Policies
