A photo of Asteryth Sloane - they posing for the camera, with their hair in a shoulder length bob and are wearing a pinafore dress with a bright sunflower pattern, over a black long-sleeve top.
We are deeply saddened by the passing of Asteryth Sloane – a brilliant composer and musician, who worked with Orchestras for All as a Wellbeing Tutor on our NOFA residentials between 2022-2024.
As an accomplished composer, Asteryth also joined our arranging team, creating braille scores for the NOFA during the 2022-2024 season that enabled us to support members with sight loss to join the orchestra.
Their passing is a huge loss to music and to the world, and we send our sincere condolences to Asteryth’s family and friends.
Listen to Asteryth's latest album, Unravellings:
Remembering Asteryth
Sasha, Head of Wellbeing and Inclusion:
“Asteryth had a huge positive impact on many of the NOFA members who needed a quiet space to regulate and have some calm quiet support. They brought a very therapeutic approach to the breathing space and highlighted to us again how individual differences bring and create more diverse inclusive spaces.
Asteryth was an integral part of the wellbeing team and worked beautifully with many of the team members. They were loyal, challenged situations and very aware of other's needs.
I am very sad that we won't be able to continue to work with Asteryth and learn about their insights into the world. They had also become a therapist specialising in working with people who are neurodivergent. Asteryth had a massive positive impact individually, at OFA and the world with their care, understanding and dedication to making the world a more inclusive supportive place to be.
Asteryth will be missed in many ways, I am grateful for everything I learned from them and fortunate enough to have known them for a few years.”
Jenny, NOFA Programme Manager:
“Asteryth was a kind and gentle person who was able to build meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life. They were an integral part of our wellbeing team at residentials, facilitating a calm and welcoming space where NOFA members felt able to open up to them.
Asteryth has been fondly remembered by other wellbeing tutors for having impactful conversations, teaching braille, and wearing a variety of beautiful dungarees! Asteryth will be missed by many.”
Nick Thorne, Orchestras for All Executive Director:
“Asteryth often hosted our breathing space during NOFA residentials and created a brilliant calming atmosphere that enabled NOFA members to open up to them about challenges they were facing, often while creating brilliant arts and crafts. A huge loss to music and to the creative world.”
