Sydney Link
she/her
viola
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
Alma maters: McGill University Schulich School of Music, B.M., 2019; Cleveland Institute of Music, M.M., 2021
Photo by Matt Dine
Appearances
Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, National Orchestral Institute, Blackburn Academy at Festival Napa Valley, Chautauqua Music School
What is your earliest memory of classical music?
Playing “Go Tell Aunt Rhody” in my elementary school’s Suzuki recital! I remember my parents telling me that I was humming along to the song as I was playing.
Who is your biggest inspiration?
My partner. He’s a percussionist and has a different way of looking at music than I do which always makes me want to try different things!
Which composer or genre of music do you feel you connect with the most?
Usually whatever I’m performing at the moment!
What has been your favorite experience as a musician?
In the summer of 2022 I got the chance to work on a contemporary piece by composer Gabriella Smith. The piece was super challenging, but after the performance I walked off stage so happy because it had come together and was so much fun to perform. I’ll never forget that feeling.
If you could play another instrument, what would it be?
I’ve always said I would play the cello, but maybe something outside the string family like clarinet.
If you weren’t a musician, what would you be doing?
When I was in elementary school I wanted to be a teacher, but now I can’t imagine myself doing anything other than music.
Which three people, dead or alive, would you like to have dinner with and why?
Beethoven, Esperanza Spalding, and Joni Mitchell