Comprising 50 young musicians aged between 13 and 25, the orchestra performs twice annually, in May and September. In its first concert this year, it will combine with the City of Dunedin Choir.
A highlight of the concert is the inclusion of Nicole Batchelar (20), principal clarinettist and featured soloist.
Last year she won one of two Dunedin Youth orchestra Young Musicians awards, which included the chance to play a concerto of her choice accompanied by the orchestra.
Batchelar has chosen Mozart's Clarinet Concerto, a piece she attributes to igniting her love of music. It was the first concerto she saw live, played by Phillip Green, of the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra.
However, music is not just about performance for Batchelar.
In 2010, she composed a piece in response to the Christchurch earthquakes. The piece was performed by the youth orchestra last year, with Batchelar conducting.
Batchelar also regularly conducts at the annual Opononi Summer Music School and has conducted the Otago Symphonic Band.
She teaches clarinet with Saturday Morning Music Classes and Maestro Education Ltd.
Batchelar is also studying towards a MusB at the University of Otago and was previously choir director at Carrington College.
