For the past six years, sophomore Lydia Berry has made strides as a cellist while juggling multiple other hobbies and academics. Berry has served as the first chair cellist for the Metropolitan Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO) and Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra (GYSO) in previous years and is currently the first chair cellist for the Midtown Orchestra.
Berry first joined her school’s orchestra at Mary Lin Elementary School and began taking private cello lessons. Berry said her private lessons teacher recommended she join GYSO and MYSO, where she became the first chair cellist for both on her first audition.
“I had never been in a youth orchestra before, so I didn’t have high expectations,” Berry said. “I was very surprised that I was in front of some juniors and seniors because I was in eighth grade. I was worried about [whether I would be] a good section leader.”
In addition to playing in multiple orchestras, Berry has also performed at various gigs. She has played at the Botanical Gardens for an Atlanta Public Schools event and at a gala for graduating seniors hosted by an organization called Jack and Jill. She also performed at a ceremony for the Laws of Life essay writing competition hosted at the Piedmont Driving Club.
“[The Piedmont Driving Club event] was in October,” Berry said. “Then last year, I got paid for the Jack and Jill one. Then I did the Botanical Gardens one for free, just for exposure.”
To reach this level, Berry takes hour-long lessons on Saturdays and attends MYSO practice for two and a half hours on Sundays, in addition to concerts, recitals and classes for the Midtown orchestra pathway.
“I practice every day for about an hour,” Berry said. “I recently started a practice log, and I’ve done about 85 hours in the past two months. My goal is 100 hours.”
Despite the challenge of balancing everything, Berry enjoys the community of orchestra and has made many friends in the numerous ensembles she participates in. Sophomore Reese Seinberg, a close friend of Berry who played cello with her for five years, said Berry adds to the sense of community in the Midtown orchestra.
“Lydia is an amazing person to be around and [is] always someone to lean on,” Seinberg said. “When I didn’t get certain rhythms, she would work with me until I improved. She was always someone who I could rely on if I needed help with something, and she made the orchestra environment better as a whole.”
Midtown orchestra director Krissi Davis said Berry has grown as a musician because of her work ethic and the way she supports her peers.
“One of the things that I have enjoyed most about watching Lydia grow is the development of her leadership skills,” Davis said. “She is currently the co-section leader of the cello section in Mastery Orchestra. Lydia is usually a quiet and reserved person, but when it’s time to provide input to the cello section or the class in general, she speaks up.”
While inspiring her peers, Berry said she draws inspiration from many famous cellists such as Yo-Yo Ma and Jacqueline du Pré.
“I like to look at how they play,” Berry said. “And then I try [to] incorporate the way they play in their styles into my playing, [while] also still having a unique style for myself.”
Through hard work and dedication to both music and her community, Berry has been first chair cellist of three different orchestras.
“My favorite thing about orchestra is just how all the different parts can come together to make something really beautiful,” Berry said. “Everyone has a role, no matter if it’s big or small.”
