Layla Morris grew up in Hinesburg, Vermont, where she began playing the cello at the age of three. She is currently in her fourth year at Oberlin Conservatory as a student of Darrett Adkins. Layla is very interested in historical performance and has a minor in baroque cello and viola da gamba as a student of Rebecca Landell. She is also pursuing a minor in creative writing from Oberlin College. Layla has participated in music festivals, received performance scholarships, and performed as a soloist with various organizations throughout Vermont and New England. During the summers, Layla has studied at the Oberlin Baroque Performance Institute, Kinhaven Music School, Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival, Chautauqua Institution, and NOI+F. Since coming to Oberlin, Layla has participated in orchestra at the conservatory level, including a trip to Carnegie Hall with the Oberlin Orchestra in January 2023. She has served as principal and assistant principal of the Oberlin Chamber Orchestra, and she has participated in Oberlin’s Advanced Quartet Seminar. In January 2024, Layla traveled to Uruguay, South America, with her string quartet where she taught, performed, and collaborated with local musicians as part of an Oberlin Winter Term project.