Ari and Mia Friedman
“That high level of rehearsal and performance was really special. There were moments that were grueling, but it was so rewarding overall.” – Ariel Friedman, 04
Growing up in Newton as part of a musical household, auditioning for (G)BYSO in middle school was not only a natural step for Ariel, but a decision met with full support by her family. At that time, even for someone as familiar with music’s impact as she was, it was hard to imagine what a formative experience it would be for her. Ariel joined Repertory Orchestra, moved to Senior Orchestra a few years later, and was principal cellist by her junior year of high school.
One of the most important aspects of her time in (G)BYSO was the community she found. She became friends with a group of fellow cellists, and a big part of their closeness was their shared passion for music. And for her, the most exciting part of the season was always touring—(G)BYSO toured eastern Europe in 2002, Napa Valley in 2003, and northeastern Europe in 2004. “Wandering around a European city and seeing the (G)BYSO posters plastered everywhere and then showing up at these famous concert halls—and people would come!—was really amazing.” She recalls long bus rides through the Czech Republic where she and her friends would play “Mafia” for hours, and even looks back on one brutally hot performance day in California with fondness. “It was hugely impactful to see the world at such a young age.”
“Things are not linear—just follow your path. You don’t have to think ‘What’s going to happen in 3 years, what’s going to happen in 20 years…’ I think it’s beautiful to let it be and pursue the natural course of your interests.”
Ariel’s path as a musician has been a winding one. After graduating from (G)BYSO in 2004, she went to school for classical performance. For graduate school she studied contemporary improvisation at New England Conservatory, and toured with a variety of folk and fiddle music ensembles. And after a decade, she found herself missing classical music again and founded a string quartet dedicated to performing music by women and nonbinary composers. Now a mother and working musician, she finds time to write music as part of chamber-folk sister duo Ari & Mia, plays with Boston Modern Orchestra Project, freelances with other orchestras and chamber ensembles, and strives to impart her love for music to her children. “I grew up in a very musically encouraging family, and now that I’m raising young kids, it feels important to pass on that legacy.”
Ariel’s advice to current and future BYSO students? “Do what’s important to you musically. There are so many different ways to make a living as a musician…orchestra is such a great foundation, and it’s also not the only way.” Staying connected to the program is important to her as she works to inspire and support a generation of future musicians. “It was such a joyful experience, and I want more kids to have that.”
“It feels important to me to keep those sparks alive from our past, even for people that aren’t playing music as much or at all anymore…we should do our best to make that opportunity available in any way we can.”
Ari & Mia’s newest album Learning Your Name, released on Mother’s Day of 2026, explores the relationship between caregiving and creativity and features 8 songs about parenthood. “Among touring musicians, motherhood is often seen as something that knocks you out of the industry…our work aims to show that caregiving of any kind is the point, that these years are something to celebrate and probe for meaning about our collective humanity.” Ariel also has a Substack newsletter which explores the intersection between creativity and parenting, and can be found here: ariandmiamusic.substack.com/
Learning Your Name (album)
Ariel Friedman and Federico Cortese, BYSO Music Director
Ariel with (G)BYSO in Budapest, Hungary, 2002
Ariel with (G)BYSO in Saint Petersburg, Russia, 2004
Ariel with (G)BYSO in Debrecen, Hungary, 2002
Ariel performing with (G)BYSO
Are you, or someone you know, a (G)BYSO alum with an interesting story or life update to share? Contact Delilah Rau, Development Operations Assistant, at dgrau@bu.edu or (617) 358-6119.