Meet a Musician: Lydia Grimes

Minnesota Orchestra musician since: 2022
Section: Viola
Hometown: Shoreview, Minnesota
Education: The Juilliard School

How did you get into music?

I grew up in a family of musicians. My mother is a pianist, my dad plays trumpet, my older sister Sarah—who joined the Minnesota Orchestra in 2016—is a violinist, my younger brother is a cellist, and our grandma (who would watch us many days a week) is a pianist and choir director. Music was part of life for me, and my grandma used to take us around to nursing homes to sing and play Scandinavian folk songs from a young age.

What led you into the viola world?

I began violin at age 4 because I wanted to be just like my older sister. I’m glad our parents required us to stick with it, because even though I hated practicing as a kid, I really liked playing in Minnesota Youth Symphonies and enjoyed the benefits of learning an instrument. In late high school, I started playing viola because my quartet needed a violist, and it felt like it fit my personality better. I also sang quite a bit in choirs and solo operatic settings, and viola felt similar since its range is similar to the human voice. Switching to viola made me feel like I was exploring something all my own.

What are the upsides of being in the same Orchestra as your sister Sarah?

From the first day I joined the Minnesota Orchestra, I had someone there to show me the ropes and answer any questions. How do I log in to the benefits website? How do I find rehearsal schedules? Everything was answered and I was never confused! During my first year with the Orchestra, when I was finishing my master’s degree in New York City and commuting back and forth, I always had a place to stay with her. Finally, we crack each other up! Making faces at Sarah during rehearsals and concerts that only she will find funny is my favorite pastime. And I get to see my sister every day at work—a pretty great deal!

What are your favorite memories so far of being in the Orchestra?

Most of my favorite memories come from shenanigans in the viola section. While of course it is important to be professional, we have fun and joke around when the time is right. I love my section and all our inside jokes!

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

I played soccer my entire childhood and love it more than anything, so I play on two leagues at the moment, which has been incredibly fun. And sometimes I play with Gabi [Campos Zamora], our principal clarinetist! I’ve also been enjoying learning to play chess lately, and am taking lessons in that and in Spanish. And of course, I’ve been watching The White Lotus.

What movies and music would you like to see on the Orchestra’s calendar?

A group of us in the Orchestra meet once in a while to watch period dramas. I’m sure we’d love to play a movie like Pride and Prejudice—although I don’t know how well that would sell! I also love playing the Romantics: Brahms and Rachmaninoff, among many others. But since I’m still early in my orchestral career, I’m enjoying playing pieces I’ve never done before and expanding my knowledge of general repertoire as well as contemporary works. Our programming committee does a great job finding a balance, and I love the variety we get to perform!

Read a Q&A with Lydia's sister, Minnesota Orchestra violinist Sarah Grimes.