Sydney Tasker

Sydney Tasker has been a beneficiary of the rich classical musical community in New Mexico. Currently 14 years old and a freshman at La Cueva High School, Sydney is the oldest of 3 string player siblings who compete with each other for practice spaces in the Tasker home!  As her age advances, so have her music opportunities, beginning at age 10 when she first soloed with the New Mexico Philharmonic.  Winning the Jackie McGehee Young Artists Competition at age 12 led to her second solo performance with the New Mexico Philharmonic.  In 2024 Sydney was awarded the opportunity to solo with the Intermountain Suzuki String Institute Orchestra and was selected to work closely with the Fry Street Quartet at their Chamber Music Festival last summer. In January, Sydney played assistant principal in the cello section of the NMMEA All-State Symphony Orchestra, and she is currently principal cellist in La Cueva’s Camerata.  When not playing the cello, Sydney can be found dancing en pointe in the Nutcracker, which she has done for 6 years, and has also discovered a passion for contemporary dance.  She is a voracious reader, a creative writer, and a confident-enough cook to take treats to the neighbors.  Sydney is grateful to her teachers Lisa Collins and Brittany Gardner for cultivating her love of music and inspiring her to work hard.