16 April 2026
AYO musicians join Moorambilla Voices on 21st anniversary album
Australian Youth Orchestra musicians Noah Lawrence (cello) and Mia Biavucago (viola) feature on Warrambul Riversong: Skysong, the newly released fifth studio album from Moorambilla Voices, created to mark the organisation’s 21st anniversary.
The recording brings together 42 regional and rural young performers alongside professional musicians, celebrating the artistic excellence and deep community connections at the heart of Moorambilla’s work.
Named after the Warrambul or Warrumboorool (the milky way – a river of stars), the album features eight works by Australian composers and six newly commissioned works by acclaimed Barkindji singer-songwriter Nancy Bates exploring connections to land, sky, culture and one another.
Mia (viola) and Noah (cello) also participated in the Moorambilia 2025 Gala Performance in Dubbo as associated artists.
Artistic Director Michelle Leonard and Barkindji singer-songwriter Nancy Bates with Moorambilla young performers and chamber orchestra.
The album also features young performers from a third of regional and remote NSW, including the communities of Baradine, Cobar, Collarenebri, Coonabarabran, Coonamble, Dubbo, Eumungerie, Gilgandra, Glen Innes, Griffith, Hanging Rock, Kootingal, Narromine, Peak Hill, Tamworth, Tottenham, Trangie and
Wongarbon.
Moorambilla Voices Artistic Director Michelle Leonard said “these remarkable young musicians and seasoned professionals offer something profoundly beautiful.”
“You can hear the generosity of spirit, the deep connection to Country, and the shared joy in every note and phrase on this recording.”
Michelle Leonard OAM, Artistic Director
Michelle also spoke on the importance of platforming musicians from regional areas. “Through the sharing of culture and the embrace of creativity, Moorambilla Voices continues to open pathways for young people across regional and remote Australia.”
Moorambilla Voices recording Warrambul Riversong: Skysong.
About Moorambilla Voices
Moorambilla Voices is one of regional NSW’s most enduring and dynamic professional arts organisations. Each year, more than 300 young people aged 8 to 18 come together to co-create, perform and record new multi-disciplinary works inspired by and celebrating the land, stories and First Nations cultures of regional NSW.
Through an annual program of workshops, residencies, performances, album recordings and Artistic and Cultural Immersions held on Country, young people collaborate with leading artists, building confidence, connection and a strong sense of belonging.