Graydon Linard

Biography

Graydon Linard began playing the cello at age four as a student at the highly selective Special Music School in New York City. Under the direction of teacher, Alex Croxton, Graydon participated in numerous master classes, had the privilege of performing at Carnegie Hall with the School for Strings Orchestra, and performed multiple recitals and ensemble works at Kaufman Music Center's Merkin Hall. In 2022, before entering 8th grade, Graydon and his family relocated to Atlanta where he enrolled in Sutton Middle School and, in that same year, was selected for the GMEA All-State Middle School Orchestra. In 2023, Graydon is honored to be entering his first year of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra's Talent Development Program and is excited to be studying under ASO's Associate Principal Cello, Karen Freer. Graydon is a freshman honors student at North Atlanta High School and is also principal cello of the NAHSO Philharmonic Orchestra directed by TDP violin alumnus, Stephen Lawrence. In February 2024, Graydon looks forward to traveling to Washington, DC, with the NAHSO Philharmonic, one of four orchestras chosen nationwide to perform on Presidents' Day at the prestigious Kennedy Center.

Fun Fact: I never chose to play the cello! At age four, it was assigned to me in kindergarten by the music school I attended in NYC. They did so because I was tall for my age and had long arms and big hands. Haha. Lucky for me because I LOVE my instrument. The cello will be a part of my life forever.