Members of the Playhouse's renowned Theatre of Sanctuary programme bring colour, joy and voices raised in song to a busy Leeds Bus Station.

Members of Asmarina Voices, Leeds Playhouse’s free informal singing group for women who are refugees or seeking asylum, have helped design a specially decorated floral piano in Leeds Bus Station as part of Leeds Piano Trail – and were given the honour of being the first to sing around it.

Asmarina member Cordel said: “Our voices rose gently with the piano’s melody, blending like clouds on a canvas, soft, powerful, and full of harmony. It left a feeling of warmth, belonging, and quiet joy; a reminder that when we come together, we create something truly beautiful.”

The piano will now stay at the bus station for people to play as they go about their day – including members of the singing group as they head to their weekly sessions at Leeds Playhouse, which already has its own Piano Trail piano designed by members of its Heydays group, the largest and longest-running arts programme for older people in UK theatre.

Mural artist Amy Nield, founder of Esk Haus mural art and furniture upcycling studio, based her piano design on flower paintings by the Asmarina members.

“Working with the Asmarina Voices on this piano design has been such a wonderful journey; from seeing them choose shapes and colours to represent themselves as a flower, to watching them perform by the finished piano,” she said. “It all came together as a wildflower meadow, and I hope people enjoy the vibrance of the design alongside the sound of the keys in its new home.”

Asmarina member Anne Collins created a hibiscus flower for the piano. She said: “I love art and created a red hibiscus flower with paper on a piece of wood. I have memories connected to hibiscus flowers and was surprised when I saw my flower on the piano. I thoroughly enjoyed singing around the colourful piano in the bus station.”

Asmarina Voices Musical Director Sophie Jennings, who leads their weekly singing sessions at Leeds Playhouse, said the whole process had imbued members with joy and an immense sense of achievement.

“The piano is beautiful and it feels wonderful to have contributed to something that the community of Leeds can use at a location that our ladies use a lot,” she said. “Most of the songs in our performance were written by the group and it was fantastic to see the public enjoying them and the positive energy the Asmarina Voices give every time they perform.”

Leeds Piano Trail, which runs alongside the prestigious Leeds International Piano Competition, aims to turn the city streets into open stages, inviting anyone – of any age or ability – to sit down and play.

From hidden corners to bustling squares, the specially decorated pianos spark joy, creativity and connection across the city. Monthly Days of Play bring the trails to life with open mics, workshops and performances that celebrate community and everyday talent, making music more inclusive, visible and rooted in public life.

Sally Egan, Head of Creative Learning & Engagement at Leeds International Piano Competition, said: “We always love collaborating with Asmarina Voices and their wonderful musical director Sophie Jennings. They have performed many times on the Piano Trail, and as part of our celebrations for World Piano Day. Asmarina Voices embody the spirit of Leeds Piano Trail – music is for everyone and a common language that unites us all. It was a pleasure to invite them to create a new design for the Bus Station piano in collaboration with Leeds-based artist Amy Nield, and the work they have made together is absolutely beautiful.”

Asmarina Voices is a key part of Leeds Playhouse’s renowned Theatre of Sanctuary programme, which also includes Playing Me, a free supervised creative play session for preschool children that gives their mums a chance to sing while they read books, sing songs and play together.

The Playhouse became the world’s first Theatre of Sanctuary in 2014, offering a place of safety, hospitality and support for refugees and people seeking asylum. As well as Asmarina Voices and Playing Me, it also runs Conversation Cafe, which gives people a chance to practice their English over a cuppa, and Together We Create, a free weekly session offering a wide range of creative activities from visual arts to theatre.