As she entered Troy Junior High School, Blain Ayichew was looking for an extracurricular activity that would help her down the road when she eventually applied to colleges. 

She found one, but there were some strings attached … literally. 

Ayichew, now a junior at Troy High School, signed up for the orchestra in the seventh grade. She had no prior experience playing an orchestra instrument, but has since become one of the best high school cello players in the area. 

At 3 p.m. this Sunday, Nov. 23, Ayichew will be playing with the Southwest Region Orchestra at Fairfield High School. The concert is free and open to the public. 

“I just joined (orchestra) because I knew I needed an extracurricular activity anyway, because it would be good for colleges, but I really just fell in love with the cello,” Ayichew said. 

Well, not immediately. 

“I actually played the violin first in junior high, and I switched over to the cello,” Ayichew said. “I wasn’t really familiar with string instruments at first, but the cello just has such a beautiful tone and has lots of range, and that’s what drew me to it.”

The Southwest Region Orchestra is made up of music students in Ohio Music Education Association Districts 11, 12, 13, and 14. Students have to audition for their position in the orchestra. Ayichew submitted her audition video last May and was accepted in August.

Ayichew said she is honored to have been selected. The orchestra has already had one rehearsal, and she said she’s already made friends with her fellow orchestra members.

“I feel really privileged. I get to play with such great players. Everyone around me has also been selected to join this orchestra. I’ve made a lot of friends and I’m really happy to play with them.”

Troy High School orchestra teacher Stephanie Strope said Ayichew is one of her most dedicated musicians.

"Blain is a dedicated and gifted cellist whose commitment to her instrument is evident every time she begins playing," Strope said. "She brings both technical skill and heartfelt musicality to her playing. Blain is always striving to improve, and challenges herself with the level of music she performs. Not only is Blain an impressive musician, but she is also a kind, responsible, and genuinely good person who encourages and supports everyone around her. She is a joy in class, and I feel honored to be her teacher."
Ayichew said she’s starting to look toward her future, and plans to attend college after she graduates in 2027. While she doesn’t plan on pursuing a music career, she said the cello will always be a part of her life.

“I think it will be more of a hobby in the future,” she said. “I do have other plans, but I do still want to continue playing my instrument into adulthood. I was thinking of something more in the computer science field, if that’s something AI doesn’t take over.”