Benjamin Reed is fifteen years old, is a homeschooled high school sophomore, and has played the cello for eleven years. He began studying the cello with Susan Hines and currently studies under Mike Daniels, principal cellist with the Virginia Symphony Orchestra. Ben is a member of the Bay Youth Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Helen Martell, and the Tidewater Cello Ensemble, under the direction of Susan and Erin Hines. Ben won the Bay Youth Symphony Concerto Competition in the 2021-22 season and performed the third movement of the Haydn Cello Concerto in C. Ben has enjoyed summer music study opportunities including Ithaca, Pennsylvania, and Greater Washington Suzuki Institutes as well as attending the Hampton Roads Chamber Players summer camp. Ben enjoys playing soccer, running cross country, reading, drawing, fishing, hiking, rock climbing, and spending time with family.