VIDEO: Strathmore's February Artist in Residence: Alicia Ward

Cellist Alicia Ward performed on Wednesday at as part of the arts organization's Artist in Residence program.

Ward, who began studying cello at age 6 and made her orchestral debut as a featured soloist at 12 has performed around the world as a chamber musician, recitalist and soloist, including at Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory.

Her repertoire includes standard classical and contemporary pieces.

During their month of residency at Strathmore, artists make two public concert appearances, premiere a new work commissioned by Strathmore and create an education workshop.

While at Strathmore, Ward is performing primarily standard classical pieces that incorporate different styles and time periods. Her workshop will be a master class on chamber music techniques. It will include three students who will prepare, play and be critiqued by Ward. Ward, who is on the faculty of the International School of Music in Bethesda, will join the students to perform a cello quartet piece.

Ward said that the Artist in Residence program has taught her how to market herself as an artist.

"I've gained a lot in learning how to possibly line things up," she said. "Whether it's Web site or photography or whatever, all of those things that you don't think about when you are in music school because you're learning how to play Bach and Beethoven and Tchaikovsky and they don't teach you necessarily how to go out there in the world and do something beyond playing. So in that sense it's been very valuable so far."

Ward will perform again at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 23. She will play a commissioned piece titled “Elegy for cello and piano.” The piece was composed especially for her by Boston-based composer and violinist Ethan Wood.

For more information and tickets call 301-581-5100 or visit www.strathmore.org.

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