Ruth Berry

Although Ruth attributes her rewarding journey as a musician largely to opportunities during her youth offered by Colgate University (including study with Hamilton resident Cathy McLelland and mentorship by the resident string quartet members), and the Syracuse Symphony (membership in the Syracuse Symphony Youth Orchestra), Ruth recognizes that hours spent as a child with her grandmother watching the Lawrence Welk Show were fundamental to her decision to pursue a career in music as a cellist; her inspiration was cellist Charlotte Harris, who was the only woman in The Lawrence Welk Band.

Ruth recently moved back to her home town of Hamilton, NY after working for many years as a chamber musician and principal cellist while employed as a member of the Magellan and Augusta Symphony String Quartets. Since 1986 she has devoted her summers to the Glimmerglass Festival Orchestra.

Ruth is passionate about collaborative problem solving, and ways in which individual and organizational creativity, labor advocacy, and unique arts programming can build and uplift communities. Her achievements include co-founding several chamber ensembles (including the Castalia and Fenimore String Quartets), a not for profit music advocacy organization (Concerted Works, Inc.) and a unique music booking service (In Praise of Music www.inpraiseofmusic.org).

Ruth is the proud owner of the historic Kitt Shipman Memorial Chapel in Springfield Center NY; she stays there whenever she can to practice, work on creative projects, and go on hikes in the beautiful hills of Otsego County, NY.