Established in 2010, the Northern Rivers Youth Jazz Orchestra (YJO) is the leading pre-professional big band in the Northern Rivers for musicians aged 13-24. Directed by Nic Campbell, who trained with Cristina Leonard at the Sydney Conservatorium, YJO boasts a full complement of saxophones, trumpets, trombones, piano, bass, and guitar. The orchestra excels in jazz, funk, soul, blues, and fusion, and relishes the challenge of mastering complex charts by Gordon Goodwin, Tower of Power, Glenn Miller, and Duke Ellington. YJO frequently performs locally and has collaborated with jazz legends like James Morrison and Paul Grabowsky. Alumni have advanced their studies at top institutions, including Monash University and Griffith University, and new members are always welcome.