Graydon Linard

Biography

School: North Atlanta High School
Instructor: Karen Freer 
Other Musical Affiliations: NAHSO Philharmonic Orchestra 

Graydon Linard is a sophomore at North Atlanta High School. He began playing the cello at age four as a student at the highly selective Special Music School in New York City. Under the guidance of teacher Alex Croxton, Graydon participated in numerous masterclasses and had the honor of performing at Carnegie Hall with the School for Strings Orchestra, as well as at Kaufman Music Center's Merkin Hall for various recitals and ensemble works. 

In 2022, before entering eighth grade, Graydon and his family moved to Atlanta, where he enrolled at Sutton Middle School. That same year, he was selected for the GMEA All-State Middle School Orchestra. In 2023, Graydon joined the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra’s Talent Development Program, where he studies under Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Associate Principal Cellist, Karen Freer. 

Graydon serves as the principal cellist of the NAHSO Philharmonic Orchestra, which TDP violin alumnus Stephen Lawrence directs. In February 2024, Graydon traveled to Washington, DC, with the NAHSO Philharmonic, one of only four orchestras chosen nationwide to perform at the prestigious Kennedy Center on Presidents' Day. 

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.