Senior Spotlight: Olivia Bond, cello

What AYPO ensembles have you played in and for how long?

AYSE (2014-15, 2015-16),

AYCO (2016-17),

AYSO (2017-18),

AYP (2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21)

Your advice for young musicians?

Music is so good. Explore as much of it as you can. Don't get too caught up in technique or competition. Play music because it sounds good and because you can use it as a tool to connect with other people. It takes vulnerability and courage to give a performance that is genuine rather than just playing the notes on the page. Reject the idea that classical music is the most valuable music and use your musical ability and creativity to play whatever you want.

What college/university do you plan on attending this fall?

Peabody Institute at Johns Hopkins; Cello performance

A favorite, or memorable AYPO experience?

Some of my best AYP memories have been in the chamber program. My trio last year really bonded in rehearsals. In orchestra, I particularly enjoyed the dueling timpani in Nielsen 4 and playing the bells in Higdon blue cathedral. I've also had some great stand partners who've become close friends.

What do you hope to do after graduation?

I'm going to study music and play a lot of cello. I have dreams of playing in a professional chamber ensemble or conducting an orchestra.

What musician, conductor, or orchestra inspires you and why?

My cello teacher has a friend who plays Baroque cello, Michael Unterman. He inspires me because he's so curious about music-making and has taught himself so much about his field. The way he shares his knowledge is very kind and genuine, and you can just feel his love for music in the way he talks about it.