Big Red Arts Profile: Cellist Jane Atkinson ‘24

By Story Taylor ‘27

Whether you’re playing an instrument or watching a performance in Edith Memorial Chapel, a Lawrenceville School philharmonic orchestra concert is a great place to hear some incredible music and enjoy the atmosphere.

Dawes House Prefect and cello player Jane Atkinson ’24 is a proud member of the orchestra and enjoys everything it has to offer. Her love for music began in middle school when she started cello lessons and joined an orchestra group. When she arrived at Lawrenceville, she immediately got involved with the school’s music department. “I give music lessons to two seventh grade girls. I did the Lawrenceville Performing Arts Camp after my sophomore year, and although the camp wasn’t able to continue, I kept giving lessons to the two girls I was a counselor for,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson has been a member of the orchestra over the span of her Lawrenceville career and loves working with her peers. “Being around the people and making music with everyone is my favorite part. The team dynamic is amazing. We’re what get each other through longer practices and who we celebrate with after concerts,” she said. The Fifth Former mentioned some of her non-musical favorite things about orchestra, such as sword fighting with cello bows and laughing over wrong notes. It is clear that the students in the orchestra are sure to be having fun while making great music. “I’ve always had the best stand partners. The sense of community I feel is unmatched,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson’s inspiration comes from her brothers, who are “also really into music.” When asked who her biggest role model was, Atkinson’s immediate answer was her brother, William. “Although I don’t listen to much classical music, or have a role model in that sense, I think that someone I look up to in how they’ve pursued music in a community sense is my brother, William.” He’s three years older than Atkinson, currently a college junior.  He has played a variety of instruments including the piano, saxophone, and bass guitar. At his college, he worked with the school radio station and is now a member of a band that recently opened for the musical group Owl City. “They’re called Rosewater. You should check them out,” Atkinson said.

Atkinson has performed under three conductors during her time at Lawrenceville. “I loved all of them,” she said. In fact, one of her previous conductors returned to see the orchestra perform during their most recent concert. “I think that was really special because we all loved working with him,” she said.  

The group is now lead by Nico Olarte-Hayes—more commonly known as Mr. O around campus. Atkinson explained how much comfort and friendliness he brings to the table during orchestra.

“He makes sure that we have fun and we like what we’re doing. The way that he inspires a passion for music in all of us is so motivating,” she said.” According to Atkinson, his strategy for getting through to students is really effective and he has everything it takes to be a great conductor. Olarte-Hayes encourages the students to practice their instruments often, which contributes largely to how wonderfully they perform in concert. Though every Lawrentian has a busy life, Atkinson explained that her conductor “makes sure we prioritize music when we can, which is really important for our overall sound.”

The orchestra has been one of Atkinson’s favorite experiences at Lawrenceville. She explained that “even though [she has] never been too great at it, there is a reason [she has] done it for all four years” and went on to say that she “wouldn’t trade those years for anything”. After such an amazing four years, Atkinson is extremely sad to say goodbye to Lawrenceville, but recommends all students to join the orchestra, whether they are experienced or not. “I know everyone in orchestra will do such amazing things in the upcoming years, and I’m so excited for Mr. Olarte-Hayes to be leading them,” she said.

Photo credit: Story Taylor '27

For additional information, contact Lisa M. Gillard H'17, director of public relations, at lgillard@lawrenceville.org.