ROSWELL—Blessed Trinity freshman Mattie Riordan accomplished a dream of many artists—she performed at Carnegie Hall.

Mattie Riordan rehearses to play with some of the most accomplished young musicians at Carnegie Hall in New York.

Mattie was nominated for the Honors Performance Series by her band teacher at St. Joseph School in Marietta, auditioned and was selected to play her cello with the Honors orchestra. Mattie submitted Bach’s Minuet #2 for her audition.

Mattie, who has played cello for four years, prepared for nine months followed by a week of rehearsals in New York. The Honors Performance Series features some of the most talented student-performers from around the world at Carnegie Hall, one of the most prestigious performance venues in the world. For two days, under the direction of a renowned music conductor, the group rehearsed for their final performance in Carnegie Hall. Mattie performed in the 100-piece orchestra with other students from around the world.

In between rehearsals, the students were able to see a Broadway play, go bowling and tour New York City as well as Carnegie Hall.

Rehearsals were grueling as the music conductor insisted upon perfection.

“I had to learn five new songs and we practiced every piece and parts of the music for eight hours each day. But then we got to go bowling, so it was a lot of fun,” she said.

“When I walked out onto the stage,” said Mattie, “all I could think about was all of my family in the audience who came to see me play. I was playing with many gifted children in Carnegie Hall!” Nearly two dozen members of her extended family came from various places for a family reunion at her performance.