Ada Wood – fiddle, North West
“I got into folk music when I was really young, being taken round music festivals like Knockengorroch. That kind of dance folk fiddle was exciting to me when I was three and the excitement never really wore off!”
Alex Walters – piano accordion, North East
“I love folk music because the community within it is amazing and it’s fantastic to play with people your own age who have the same passion!”
Alice Robinson – fiddle, South West
“To me, folk music is so special because I can be a part of such a brilliant community through the music that I enjoy playing. I love how everyone can add something individual to a piece and when playing together you really feel like a group.”
Buffy Hughes – cello, North East
“I like playing folk because you have all the freedom in the world to make a tune personal to you so it's impossible for two people to ever play a tune the same way!”
Carl Schenker – guitar, North East
“I love folk music because of all the cool and interesting instruments not standard to other genres of music!”
Chloe Mulhall – fiddle, Yorkshire
“I love folk music because you have so much freedom to take a tune and then make something awesome out of it that’s completely new and no one has ever played it the same way before.”
Danny Marshall – flute, London
“I love folk music because it not only is very creative and expressive but is influenced by the people you play it with a unique way.”
Elye Cuthbertson – melodeon, London
“There's nothing better than playing with a group of people your age who share your love of folk music, which is why I'm so happy to be part of the National Youth Folk Ensemble. The whole folk community is so friendly, it's lovely to be a part of!”
Eve Parker – fiddle, South West
“The reason I love folk music is because the tunes are beautiful and you can be creative in making them your own and playing them in your own style.”
Finn Harty – trombone, North West
“I absolutely love folk music because of how flexible it is and that every time you play a tune, it seems to change and grow each time you play it. Also, I feel like folk music is the best way to become more in touch with your instrument and expand your musical knowledge. It's also a great way to meet other folk musicians and I find is just a really fun genre of music to play!”
Kirsty McLachlan – bass guitar, North East
“Part of why I love folk music is because of how it pulls the community together in more rural areas, as well as how laid back folk is compared to other genres!”
Maisieanne McGuire – banjo, North West
“I really enjoy listening and playing folk music because of the varied rhythms and beats that can be made from a simple melody. As I listen to a range of music genres, I can definitely say folk music makes me feel in a very good mood.”
Mary Lomas – clarinet, West Midlands
“Folk is such an enjoyable genre to be involved in, whether it be dance, or playing tunes, or singing. What makes it so enjoyable is the focus on people and community, not just the music being played.”
Mía Iles Pérez – mandolin, London
“I love traditional music as you are able to transform a tune, arranging until it is entirely unique and your own.”
Miles Cade-Stewart – fiddle, East Midlands
“Folk music for me is something I grew up listening to and still love listening to today because of its universal and organic nature - you have the ability to make a tune wholly your own as well as hearing how others have done the same. I also really want to explore the potential of folk fusions in the future combining folk with other genres.”
Naomi Sayal – fiddle, North East
“I absolutely adore folk because of how free and personal you can make it, and how wonderful it feels to create something that yourself and others have contributed to that is entirely your own as a group to be proud of.”
Polly Creaton – fiddle, Yorkshire
“I enjoy playing and listening to folk music because it is relaxed and you can be spontaneous and creative. Folk tunes combine rhythms within melodies and no instrument is restricted to one part. I like hearing about the stories of tunes and where they came from and hearing them played differently by each musician and each instrument.”
Róisín Howitt – fiddle, Yorkshire
“I love folk music because it is so versatile and allows me to meet so many amazing people!”
Ruby Polley-Livingstone – fiddle, South West
“I love playing folk music because it gives you the freedom to interpret the music in your own unique way and brings together musicians of all ages and abilities. Without folk, I wouldn’t be able to meet so many new people, like all of the other lovely Ensemble members!”
Ruby Smith – fiddle, North East
“I absolutely love folk music because it’s the music I grew up with, seeing as the tradition in the North East is so rich. It’s also so versatile, no two people play a tune the same way and everyone can make it truly their own, which I just think is so cool and interesting.”
Shenara McGuire – concertina, North West
“I love folk music because of how freeing it is. It’s amazing to see how different folk is around the country and to play the really beautiful and diverse tunes. My favourite tunes are the ones with a really groovy beat behind them.”
