Representing AYO with Fanfare

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Participants of AYO and the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) were honoured to be invited once again to mark the occasion of the Opening of Parliament on 3 February 2026, performing throughout the day in the marble foyer, on the Queen’s Terrace and even in the parliamentary childcare centre.

Australia’s Special Envoy for the Arts, Susan Templeman MP, introduced the ensembles saying “everyone has a right for music to be a vital part of their life” praising the “extraordinary standard of performance” of the ANAM and AYO musicians “that is testament to the quality training they receive”.

Across the day, Minister for the Arts, Hon Tony Burke MP; Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon Milton Dick MP; and Hon Mark Dreyfus MP attended the performances along with many curious staff and members of the public. One member of the public commented that Arts8 is “money well spent”. We couldn’t agree more!

We are very grateful to the on-going support of the Australian Government through #Arts8 and to the Office for the Arts for today’s opportunity.

AYO and ANAM participants performed throughout the day in the marble foyer

AYO and ANAM participants dropped by the childcare centre in Parliament House for an exclusive performance to a captive audience

AYO and ANAM participants marked the Opening of Parliament with fanfare in the marble foyer

Susan Templeman MP, Special Envoy for the Arts introduced the participants