School: Eastman School of Music

Though Eastman School of Music student, Patrick Laird, has served as Principal Cellist of the school’s Symphony Orchestra for two years, his extracurricular musical activities have gone in a very different direction. As part of Break of Reality, an ensemble of four electric cellos and a drummer, this Midland Park, N.J., native performs both original pieces and covers (including Metallica and Tool songs) at rock venues and coffee shops around Rochester, N.Y. Though Patrick’s been involved with classical music his entire life, he says he’s, “always dabbled in different types of music,” making Red Bull Artsehcro a perfect venue for showcasing his skills.