UPDATE: 14-year-old cellist to perform at Lynden Music Festival | New

On October 13 and again on October 14, Miriam, a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio, will play her cello at this year’s Lynden Music Festival.

“The community (Lynden) seems so wonderful from what my dad told me,” she said recently. “My friend Sandra and I will be able to perform works that we are recording later in October. I can’t wait to meet all of these wonderful people and share some music.

Smith and her friend, pianist Sandra Wright Shen, will perform at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, October 13 at the WECU Expo Building at Northwest Washington Fairgrounds, 1775 Front St.

The duo will perform “Sonata for Cello and Piano, Op.119 Intermission” by Sergei Prokofiev, the “Italian Suite” by Igor Stravinsky and “Three Pieces for Cello and Piano” by Nadia Boulanger.

Miriam accompanied her first orchestra at age 8. She has been playing the cello since the age of 4.

“I remember buying this little 1/16 size cello and we put colored tape under the strings on the fingerboard so she would know where to put her fingers,” said Miriam’s father, Adam Smith. “Miriam grew up in a musical household. My wife and I have a conservatory education and her older brother played the violin at a high level while growing up. “

“In resonance with the music”

Smith explained that Miriam’s performance has been sparse since the COVID-19 pandemic. However, she recently performed on September 19 as the featured soloist of the Youngstown Symphony in Ohio.

“The COVID closures have been difficult for everyone, but especially for our young people,” Smith said. “For Miriam, it was understandable, but difficult to have many concerts canceled or postponed. Fortunately, many are returning now, but not all music organizations are as progressive to come back without restrictions as massive sporting events are. “

At 4 p.m. on Thursday, October 14, Miriam will perform a Heavenly Cello Meditation at Lynden Inn, 100 5th St.

Miriam is also a pianist, having first learned the instrument at the age of 2. However, she is “far from being at the level of the piano” as she is on the cello.

“I don’t think you will hear me play a piano concerto, but the piano certainly complements my music,” she said. “I feel called to the cello, to be a concert soloist, to do chamber music, to record and to be able to share my music with the world. Classical music creates such a powerful bond with everyone, I think we were created to resonate with music.

From classic to Led Zeppelin

Growing up, Lynden resident Denise Smith listened to a wide variety of music.

“My grandmother Smith and my dad were the biggest inspiration,” said Smith, member of local group Marc Urban Cowboy and D-Nice. “My father introduced me to all types of music. From classic to Led Zeppelin.

Smith said it was her Christian background that first inspired her to pursue music.

“When I got out of high school, I was in a Christian rock band, until I had my first child,” she said. “I got back to music five years ago and met Marc Urban on July 4th over two years ago at Overflow Taps in Lynden. He was responsible for setting up the musicians at the block party. We started talking about music and I mentioned that I was singing harmony. He invited me out the following weekend at Razz Fest where he was performing. I sang a few songs with him and we’ve been singing together ever since.

Marc Urban Cowboy and D-Nice will be playing at 7 p.m. on Friday, October 15 at the Rustlers Front Street Grill, 405 Front St. Zack Beimold will also be playing.