Carly Byrd studied at the University of Central Florida with David Bjella and recently graduated with her Bachelor's of Music. She went to her first symphony orchestra concert at the age of six months old and went to a charter school for the arts for her elementary education. Carly studied gymnastics and dance from the age of four to ten years old. She started her cello studies at the age of ten where she studied with Rebecca Bialosky. Carly's father received a Fulbright grant which allowed her to accompany him to Albania for four months where she did virtual school and took cello lessons with Teuta and Jona Cegrani. Upon returning to the United States, Carly participated in All County, All State and Music Performance Assessments throughout middle and high school where she received Superior and Superior with Distinction ratings. She took lessons with Martin Bernstein from 2012-2017 and worked with Fred Gratta from 2011-2018. Carly also participated in her middle and high school bands where she played the trombone and baritone horn from 2012-2015. From 2012-2017, Carly played with the Pinellas Youth Symphony under the direction of Sandra Kitts, Lei Liu and Dr. Susan Robinson. She has also played with the Tampa Bay Symphony as a guest member. In June 2023, Carly participated in the International Music Festival of the Adriatic in Duino, Italy. While in Italy, she played chamber works by Bruch, Mozart and Price. Currently, Carly is a Master's of Music student and graduate assistant at the University of Northern Colorado. Carly is also a member of Sigma Alpha Iota International Music Fraternity. When she is not playing music, Carly enjoys cooking, doing craft projects and playing with her dog, Coda and her cat, Disco.

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All professional pictures taken by Mariah Clinkscales Photography.