29 July 2026
AYO string quartet joins Nathan May at ALP Conference
An AYO string quartet, comprised of participants Adina Lopez, Ben Rawlings, Oliver Ivey Brown and Caleb Christian recently joined Arabana and Yawuru singer-songwriter Nathan May and educator, conductor and composer Annie Kwok at the 50th National Conference of the Australian Labor Party in Adelaide.
As part of the event ‘Child’s Play: developing a lifelong love of music and the arts’, the quartet performed Wangkarda with Nathan May and also supported Annie Kwok to lead a vocal warm up with delegates.
The performance was arranged in collaboration with AYO Board Member and 2027 National Music Camp Creative Director Lachlan Bramble and the Media, Entertainment, & Arts Alliance (MEAA), with the goal of advocating for music, arts and cultural policy.
“Aside from my work as a musician and educator, I’m a union member and elected leader with the MEAA, the union for musicians and other creative workers,” Lachlan Bramble said.
“Advocating for our profession and our artform is an essential part of that work… helping the (ALP) delegates understand the value of music and the importance of arts education.”
Lachlan Bramble, AYO Board Member
Adelaide Symphony Orchestra CEO and former AYO CEO Colin Cornish also joined a panel discussion at the conference, speaking about the Australian Youth Orchestra, Music in Me and the importance of music in our lives.
“Our goal was to fill their hearts with joy and music, educate them on the value of the arts, have them curious to learn more and eager to take action.”
Bernie Heard, Director of Music in Me
