Yo-Yo Ma, the renowned cellist, has said, “When we share music, we share a part of ourselves, creating connections that go beyond words.”* This sentiment resonates powerfully for the artists in the Rivers Symphony Orchestra (RSO). Members of the ensemble speak of the joy they find in the group’s sense of connectedness, its dedication to orchestral music, and the musicians’ …

On Thursday evenings in the fall, as the sun sinks into the crisp autumn night sky, musicians in RSC’s Camerata Strings fill Rivera Recital Hall with vibrant music—but with a twist—no conductor. “Camerata Strings has really taught me how to lead and connect more with the other musicians in the ensemble,” says violinist Anna Kehayova. “Because we don’t have a …

During lessons and performances, students in RSC’s Suzuki Programs pluck, sing, and bow their way to developing self-confidence and a deeper appreciation of music through community and transformative mentorship that centers around the Suzuki Philosophy. This philosophy, which was developed by Japanese violinist and educator Dr. Shinichi Suzuki in the mid-twentieth century, reflects the process of learning a language through …

Listening to jazz musicians dance across new soundscapes through improvised notes and rhythms is so mesmerizing, you wonder how they do it. A lot of practice goes into improvising. The audience may not realize this but the musicians are well aware, after they take the first plunge into jazz improvisation and meticulously fine-tune their technique. Regardless of their prior experience …

“When I play the Shostakovich,” expressed Brian Lee, “it feels like I have a real purpose as a cellist.” Lee, who has been studying with RSC faculty member Eugene Kim since he was eight years old, won one of the five grand prize spots at the 2023 Fidelity Investments Young Artists Competition. With cello and bow in hand, he took …

“Great concerts change the lives of listeners,” says Jake Winneg ‘25, violinist in The Rivers School Conservatory’s ChamberMusicLab program. And changing lives is exactly what these students are doing. Through their devotion to teamwork, students in The Rivers School Conservatory’s (RSC) ChamberMusicLab program (CML) are proving themselves to be powerful catalysts for change. Dedicated middle and upper school musicians accepted …

Violinists at The Rivers School Conservatory have been delighted by some recent donations to the school: seven superior violin bows! The bows were donated to RSC by music enthusiasts John Fiske and Bruce Hoffman in memory of their loved ones and now have been giving RSC violinists an opportunity that is more commonly offered at collegiate-level institutions, and if then, …

From Rivera Recital Hall to Boston’s legendary Symphony Hall, extraordinary percussionist and graduating senior Jacqueline Lee ‘23 has captivated audiences as a vibrant soloist and ensemble member. Jacqueline began studying percussion at six years old, beginning with RSC’s Marimba Magic. Since then, she has had a flourishing musical career including playing in multiple RSC and Rivers School ensembles and being …

“The most fulfilling part of teaching, gigging, and performing is that I feel I’m giving people something— I’m giving joy, connection, and love.”  Catherine O’Kelly began playing guitar at the age of 4 after being fascinated by it in The Sound of Music. Today, you can find her filling halls and performance venues around the Boston area with her enchanting …