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WHAT WE DO

At NOMAD, we believe in the power of music to move people. We believe in music which moves hearts, moves feet, and transports us to other realms. Through music, we bring stories to life. 

 

Classical music brought us together, but we perform all music which ignites us - creating intimate, immersive, and bold performances for everyone.

NOMAD is an award-winning flexible ensemble founded in 2021 by classically trained musicians Ailsa Burns, Iona Kaye, and Elena Orsi. They create multidisciplinary performances that blend music with a vibrant array of art forms.

 

Collaborating with diverse musicians and commissioning new music is integral to their practice. Noteworthy past projects include original theatre work The Gardener’s Daughter with Lili Holland-Fricke; immersive concert In Time featuring audio recordings of loved-ones and live electronic manipulation from Devon Bonelli; and Witching Hour with Samuel Kane merging folk-inspired music, projections, and spoken word.

 

From concert halls to community pubs, NOMAD’s performance highlights include Factory International for Manchester International Festival 2023, Bridgewater Hall Live at Lunchtime, and Le Café Pluche in France, showcasing work from the Vibrant Sounds Artist Residency with percussionist and multi-instrumentalist Dudù Kouate.

 

Join us with eyes wide and ears open as we explore how music connects us through shared human experience.

MEET THE TEAM

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Iona Kaye

Co-Director

Classically trained soprano, storyteller and theatre director, Iona is an expressive and versatile performer.

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Ailsa Burns, under a tree

Ailsa Burns

Co-Director

With interests in folk and contemporary music, Ailsa is a classically-trained violinist with a varied career as a performer and educator.

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Elena Orsi in a park

Elena Orsi

Co-Director

Elena is a creative violinist, whose skills span from improvisation to orchestral leading and solo recitals.

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Collaborators

FOUNDERS/CREATIVE DIRECTORS

Iona Kaye, Elena Orsi, Ailsa Burns

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VOICE

Iona Kaye, Adela Philippi, Molly Becker, Lili Holland-Fricke

 

VIOLIN

Ailsa Burns, Elena Orsi, Adela Philippi

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VIOLA

Emma Robinson, Samuel Kane

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CELLO

Lili Holland-Fricke, Hoda Jahanpour, Jakub Smola, Elena Edwards, Lucy McLuckie

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HARP

Holly-Alice Morton​

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FLUTE

Jessie-May Wilson

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CLARINET

Samuel Austin

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TRUMPET

Cameron Chin-See

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PERCUSSION/VOICE

Dudù Kouate

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COMPOSITION

Lili Holland-Fricke, Devon Bonelli, Samuel Kane

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ENSEMBLES

The Mancunium Consort, K'in Ensemble

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NOMAD celebrating with a clapperboard after shooting 'The Gardener's Daughter'

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© NOMAD 2025

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