Meredith McCook, 25, born in Tyler, Texas, is currently a cellist with the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida under the artistic direction of Michael Tilson Thomas. She completed her Masters degree at Manhattan School of Music, where she studied with Alan Stepansky, and she received her BM from the University of North Texas. Meredith previously received fellowships at Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of the West, Canada’s Young Artists’ Programme, and the Kennedy Center. She has also attended Domaine Forget, Summit, and Schlern music festivals. Recently, Meredith performed at Carnegie Hall with the Peace Trio for a United Nations benefit, and has previously performed with the East Texas and Astoria Symphonies. She has also studied with Eugene Osadchy, Hans Jensen, and Betty Raisig. She was a winner of the University of North Texas concerto competition, the Young Texas Artists competition, and Manhattan School of Music’s Fuchs chamber music competition. Meredith was a participant in the Texas All State Orchestra, and also was named an “Outstanding Performer” at the Texas Solo and Ensemble contest. She was named “Young Musician of the Year” in 2005 by the Tyler Music Coterie, and she also received the Joan D. Mintz award from the Greater Dallas Youth orchestra. Meredith was a graduate of Tyler Lee High School.