Aliya Gardner (16) began her cello studies at the age of three with her mother as her teacher. Aliya has won many awards and competitions, including the Gifted Music School Concerto Competition, Utah Philharmonic Orchestra Concerto Competition, OPUS Music Competition, and the Brimhall Cello Competition (three time winner). This past December, as a result of being named winner with the American Virtuoso International Music Competition, she performed as a soloist in Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall. Aliya is also a founding member of the Amichevoli Cello Choir and has also been a member of the audition-only Suzuki Youth Orchestra of the Americas, where she served as assistant principal cellist at the age of 10 years old.
A gifted stage performer, Aliya has also danced with Ballet West’s production of The Nutcracker, and various community musical theater productions, including The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Newsies (Bowery Brigade), The Wedding Singer (Donatella), The Little Mermaid (featuered dancer), Annie (featured dancer),, and Into the Woods (Little Red).
When she grows up she hopes to be a therapist.
Watch Aliya Georgia Gardner perform Rondo for Cello & Orchestra in G Minor by Dvorak on the cello for the 2024 Autumn Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.
Watch Aliya Georgia Gardner perform Concerto in C Major, Mvmt 3 by Haydn on the cello for the 2025 Classical Music Competition as part of the Charleston International Music Competition.