RIAM Students secure positions in European Union Youth Orchestra

We are thrilled to announce that violinist Max Novojilov and violist Shane Quinn have both secured places with the European Union Youth Orchestra.

The European Union Youth Orchestra (EUYO) is a prestigious ensemble bringing together talented young musicians from across Europe. Known for its vibrant energy and dynamic performances, the EUYO serves as cultural ambassadors for the EU, promoting unity in diversity through music.

The orchestra is reformed annually, keeping it fresh and attuned to the evolving world. Offering various projects, tours, and residencies, EUYO emphasizes sustainability, diversity, and inclusion. Aspiring musicians can audition to join, contributing to a shared vision of excellence and innovation.

Max Novojilov is a violinist from Cyprus. His early orchestral experiences include being a member of the Cyprus Youth Symphony Orchestra, performing annually at Vienna’s Musikverein. He has participated in side-by-side projects with the Cyprus Symphony Orchestra and taken part in two Mediterranean Youth Orchestra symphonic sessions at the Festival d’Aix-en-Provence, where he was coached by members of the London Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Max received a scholarship to study at the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin with Sarah Sew and Elaine Clark. He has served as a Principal with the RIAM Philharmonia and performed side-by-side with the National Symphony Orchestra under Leonard Slatkin. In 2024, Max performed the Sibelius Violin Concerto with the National Symphony Orchestra in a masterclass with Maxim Vengerov at the National Concert Hall, Dublin. Max is a founding member of the Sonic Quartet, which has performed at the West Cork and Westport Chamber Music Festivals. In November 2024, the quartet toured the USA, including a broadcast performance in Chicago’s Dame Myra Hess Memorial Concerts on WFMT radio. They have also performed with the New World Symphony under Shunsuke Sato. Additionally, they have participated in masterclasses with the Belcea, Chiaroscuro, Signum, Schumann, Pavel Haas, Endellion, and Leonkoro Quartets.

A native of Trim, Co. Meath, Shane Quinn is currently in his final year at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. He studies viola with Robin Panter and violin with Sarah Sew. As violist of the Sonic Quartet, Shane has performed at festivals and concert series, including the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series in Chicago, West Cork Chamber Music Festival, Belfast Music Society International Festival of Chamber Music, and Westport Festival of Chamber Music. He has enjoyed participating in masterclasses with the Pavel Haas, Chiaroscuro, Belcea, Endellion, Schumann, and Signum Quartets. Shane has performed in side-by-side projects with a variety of orchestras, including the New World Symphony (Miami), National Symphony Orchestra (Ireland), Ensemble Modern, and the Irish Baroque Orchestra. He was a member of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland and the Dublin Youth Orchestra for many years. During his studies at the Royal Irish Academy of Music, Shane won the Colin Staveley Memorial Prize and the John Pollard Bursary. He also won the Arthur Catterall and Arthur Darley Cups at the Feis Ceoil, Ireland’s national music competition. Shane was a Schola Cantorum student at St. Finian's College, Mullingar. He was recently awarded a scholarship to study at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where he will complete a Master’s in Orchestral Artistry. In his free time, Shane enjoys playing the piano, organ, and traditional Irish flute.