Teenage cellist Kalli hits the high note

15-year-old Kalli Ziegler who attends Queenswood School in North London has been awarded a place in The National Youth Orchestra regarded as the world’s greatest orchestra for teenagers. 

Kalli, whose parents are members of Finchley Reform Synagogue, played the cello at the shul for her bat mitzvah. She’s now become one of only 158 musicians from across the country to be selected and will perform in three national concert tours during 2024. 

“I’m delighted to be representing North London next year,” Kalli said. “We come together through a love of music and hope to become inspirational changemakers through our performances,” she added. She will now work with over 1,000 musicians through the NYO Inspire project to hopefully reach more teenagers. 

Kalli comes from a talented and proud musical family. Last year her parents, Lana and Richard saw their teenage son Jaren reach the finals of the BBC Young Musician of The Year for his viola performances.