October 5, 2026
Side-by-Side Concert
Symphony Orchestra
with the University of Northern Colorado Symphony Orchestra
The Northern Colorado Youth Orchestra
2026–2027 Season
Through rigorous ensemble training, expert mentorship, and disciplined practice, NoCoYO develops elite young musicians who listen deeply, lead boldly, and perform at the highest level.

Season at a glance
Symphony Orchestra opens the season in the UNC side-by-side. The fall and spring semester concerts bring all five NoCoYO ensembles together.
October 5, 2026
Symphony Orchestra
with the University of Northern Colorado Symphony Orchestra
January 27, 2027
All NoCoYO Ensembles
Apprentice Ensemble · Concert Ensemble · Chamber Orchestra · Concert Quartet · Chamber Quartet
April 28, 2027
All NoCoYO Ensembles
Apprentice Ensemble · Concert Ensemble · Chamber Orchestra · Concert Quartet · Chamber Quartet

Find your orchestra
Early–intermediate · Strings
A supportive first orchestral home for middle-school musicians and nontraditional beginners in elementary or high school.
Mondays · 7:00–8:00 PMAdvanced middle school–early high school · Strings
An ensemble for developing players ready to deepen their technique, ensemble awareness, and musical independence.
Mondays · 6:00–7:00 PMIntermediate–advanced high school · Full orchestra
The season begins as Symphony Orchestra for the UNC side-by-side, then continues as Chamber Orchestra for the fall and spring semester concerts.
Mondays · 6:30–8:00 PMChamber music
Chamber Quartet rehearses Mondays from 5:30–6:30 PM. Concert Quartet rehearses from 7:00–8:00 PM. Small ensembles give musicians more individual responsibility and a sharper musical voice.



Join the 2026–27 season
Complete the interest form and new-student registration.
Review the placement descriptions and download the right audition packet.
Practice the listed excerpts, scales, and requirements, then make your audition recording.
Send the recording through the NoCoYO audition form.
Use the parent portal to complete the audition and registration fee.
Results are sent to the primary email listed on the audition form.
Accepted students sign the contract and receive schedules and tuition details in the portal.

Our story
NoCoYO began in 2020, when parents, students, and teachers found a way to keep young musicians connected through the pandemic. What started with three socially distanced string ensembles has become a nationally recognized program for musicians across Larimer County and beyond.
Our purpose reaches beyond polished concerts. Through disciplined ensemble work, students build perseverance, empathy, critical life skills, and the confidence to contribute to something larger than themselves.
Teaching artists
Our faculty brings professional performance experience, classroom insight, and a shared belief in what young musicians can become.

Founder & Artistic Director
Daniel founded NoCoYO in 2020 and has guided it from three socially distanced string ensembles into a nationally recognized program serving more than 120 students annually.
His ensembles earned third place at the 2022 ASTA National Orchestra Festival, performed at Carnegie Hall in 2024, and premiered Chris Pilsner’s Interstellar Dreams. A 2021 ASTA String Teacher of the Year honoree, Daniel also directs orchestras at Loveland High School and Lucile Erwin Middle School. He holds performance and music-education degrees from Colorado State University, served sixteen years as Principal Bassist with the 101st Army Band, and has operated The Arco / Pizzicato Music Studio for more than two decades.

Conductor & Strings Specialist
A Fort Collins native and Poudre School District alumnus, Joshua helps young musicians grow as individual players, leaders, and a unified orchestra.
Joshua began cello at Blevins Middle School and earned degrees from Colorado State University in Music Education, Cello Performance, and Cello Pedagogy. His work spans beginner instruction through advanced, state-recognized ensembles. He performs with his quartet across Northern Colorado and has taught orchestra at Preston Middle School since 2020.

Conductor & Brass Specialist
Cathy is a Colorado educator whose experience spans band, choir, orchestra, theatre, and professional horn performance.
She earned a bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Mansfield University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in French Horn Performance from the University of Northern Colorado. Her performance experience includes appearances in Spain, Italy, France, and the Czech Republic; the 2012 London Olympic Games; and work with ensembles across Northern Colorado. She teaches orchestra and theatre at Ridgeline Middle School.

Cellist & Chamber Music Educator
Barbara is an internationally acclaimed cellist, educator, soloist, chamber musician, clinician, lecturer, and adjudicator.
A founding member of the Mendelssohn Trio, Barbara has performed and recorded throughout Europe and the Americas and has written and translated widely on cello technique and practicing. She teaches cello, chamber music, and pedagogy at Colorado State University. Her training includes an M.M. and Performer’s Certificate from Indiana University, where she assisted Janos Starker, and degrees from the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik in Cologne, Germany.
Frequently asked questions
Rehearsals, performances, tuition, and auditions for the 2026–2027 season.
First-semester rehearsals begin September 11, 2026. The second semester runs January 25 through April 28, 2027. See the season schedule above for all three concert dates.
Chamber Quartet: 5:30–6:30 PM · Concert Ensemble: 6:00–7:00 PM · Chamber Orchestra: 6:30–8:00 PM · Concert Quartet: 7:00–8:00 PM · Apprentice Ensemble: 7:00–8:00 PM.
Large and small ensembles rehearse on Monday evenings. Friday-evening rehearsals are added during the month before each semester concert.
The October 5 side-by-side is for Symphony Orchestra only. The January 27 fall concert and April 28 spring concert include Apprentice Ensemble, Concert Ensemble, Chamber Orchestra, Concert Quartet, and Chamber Quartet.
Rehearsals are held at Lucile Erwin Middle School in Loveland, Colorado. Open the location ↗
Tuition is $100 per month for each large ensemble and $50 per month for each small ensemble. Families may also pay in full by semester.
Start with new-student registration and the audition materials linked above. Preliminary auditions are due July 17, 2026 for fall and November 27, 2026 for spring. Auditions may continue during the season when positions are available.
Email lola.payne@nocoyo.org and the NoCoYO team will help your family find the right next step.
Listen back
Inspiring harmony for tomorrow