JCSO Musician Spotlight: Georgia Sinko, Cello

Georgia Sinko is the Orchestra Director at Dobyns-Bennett High School and John Sevier Middle School. She is also a  freelance cellist and cello teacher. In 2001, she began playing with the JCSO as a substitute cellist when she was in high school. She has been a full-time performer for 16 years and has only missed one JCSO concert since! Find out more about Georgia below!

What is the best part of performing with the JCSO?

In addition to the community of local musicians and the rapport that we have for each other, I would have to say the repertoire! Dr. Seebacher picks out excellent music that is well-suited for our ensemble and so much fun to perform!

What/who influenced your love of music?

My mother was the first great musical influence of my life; she really lit the fire of passion for music that ended up consuming my life.  My middle school orchestra teacher, Tammie Davis, and my cello teacher in high school and undergraduate school, Dr. Wesley Baldwin, directed me to stringed instruments and the cello.

What is your favorite hobby outside of music?

Gardening and sailing - I love to grow vegetables and can sauces, salsas, and other products that I make.

What is your favorite animal and why?

Either a cat or a dolphin: I have a way with cats and have even trained the three that I have had as an adult to do tricks. Dolphins are just amazingly smart and interesting creatures!

Why did you pick your instrument to learn to play?

I thought I was going to play the viola like my older brother, but when I went in to try out the instruments in 5th grade, I immediately became smitten with the cello and knew it was the instrument for me.

What's the best piece of advice you've received as a musician?

Hard work beats talent in the end. 

What was your most memorable performance?

My final performance at FSU was the Verdi Requiem in the newly renovated Ruby Diamond Hall: it was magical and electrifying!

With JCSO, right after my father died, we performed the Sibelius 1st Symphony and Rob dedicated it to my father's memory. That performance meant more to me than any other performance I have ever participated in before and since.

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Make sure to come see Georgia at the JCSO's concert on December 14! Purchase tickets HERE!

Support the JCSO and all it's musicians today by donating HERE!