By Mike Telin
“When I was three years old my mom took me to a jazz concert. I saw the trombone, and I was immediately hooked,” Grace Berendt recalled. “From that day on, I knew I wanted to be a trombone player.”
On Sunday, May 10 at 3:00 pm at Severance Music Center, the Cleveland Orchestra Youth Orchestra Concerto Competition winner will step to the front of the Mandel Concert Hall stage to play Ferdinand David’s Concertino for Trombone and Orchestra.
Under the direction of James Feddeck the program also includes Aaron Copland’s Letter from Home, George Walker’s Icarus in Orbit, and Dvorak’s Symphony No. 9 “From the New World.” Tickets are available online.
I caught up with the Aurora High School senior by phone and began our conversation by congratulating her on the Concerto competition win.
Grace Berendt: Thank you so much.
Mike Telin: I’m curious about why you selected the David? To be honest, it’s the only piece by him that I know.
GB: It’s definitely his best piece. It’s actually one of the first trombone concertos I started learning, and I have to say that I have yet to find one that I like more. There’s so much to love about it — the heroic melodies, as well as the emotions conveyed through it. I think there’s really such a variety of styles and interpretations that can be taken with this piece. And it’s just so much fun to play.
MT: How long have you been working on it?
GB: About three years.
MT: What are you looking forward to for the performance?
GB: I know how excited I’m going to feel — also how nervous I’ll be. But I really want to channel my nerves into a feeling of excitement. And being proud of myself and the musicians around me for the work we’ve put into it to get to this point.
MT: Who do you study with?
GB: I actually study with two people. Eric Richmond — he’s amazing — and has been my teacher since the seventh grade. I also started studying with Rick Stout who’s in the Cleveland Orchestra — he’s incredible.
MT: What are your plans post-high school?
GB: I’m planning to major in trombone performance as my goal is to become a professional orchestral musician. Right now I’m deciding where I’m going to college.
MT: How many years have you been in COYO?
GB: This is my fourth year.
MT: I remember hearing you play Firebird with Daniel Reith. You were fantastic, especially in the interrupting trombone slides.
GB: That was my favorite part.
MT: But it was so perfect.
GB: Thank you so much.
MT: What do you do when you’re not playing the trombone?
GB: I’m usually playing my trombone. But I do really enjoy running — I did cross country and track for a few years in high school. I also like to do art projects, particularly sewing. I actually sewed my junior and senior homecoming dance dresses. They were both original designs — I’m pretty proud of them.
MT: That’s wonderful. What attracted you to sewing and fashion design?
GB: My grandmother. She’s always been into sewing, and she taught me how to do it when I was in preschool and I’ve just loved it ever since.
MT: Out of curiosity: Do you play any jazz?
GB: I did for a while. I was in the Jazz at The Music Settlement program. I’ve become more classically focused recently, but I’d love to get back into it.
MT: The trombone is a beautiful instrument: If somebody asks you to describe the sound, what do you tell them?
GB: It’s like butter. It’s rich, it’s smooth, you just have to love it.
MT: Is there anything you’d like to add — any shout-outs to your COYO colleagues?
GB: I’d just like to thank everyone who has worked with me along the way to get me to this point because it really truly does take a village. And especially Mr. Feddeck, our new conductor this year. He’s an incredible mentor and a really inspiring person to be around. I really connect with his way of teaching.
MT: On Sunday, will you also be playing the “New World” symphony?
GB: I will. I’m excited about that too. I think it’s going to be fun.
Published on ClevelandClassical.com May 4, 2026
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