Blaise Sytsma-Reed is the Concertmaster (principal violinist) for the Dorothy Gerber Youth Orchestra. She won the 2022 Charles F. Davis Young Artist Competition (Junior Division) and has performed with the Cummings Quartet and guest performers Maestro Libor Ondras and Dr. Benjamin Wu. She has been part of a classic rock band, The Lookout, and performs at venues and private events around Charlevoix on electric violin and electric guitar with a vocalist from her band. You may catch her busking for fun in downtown Charlevoix when school’s out and summer’s in full swing. “Music has been a passion of mine ever since my dad first held a violin to my shoulder. Sometimes at night as a family we would play songs for each other, laughing and admiring the wonderful gift which is sharing music with others. To me, performing violin is an outlet for self-expression when words fail. It is particularly rewarding because it allows me to connect with the listener and find deeper meaning in the pieces I play. I look forward to sharing this gift whenever I can.”