Violinist Clara Lyon discusses Decoda’s School of Music residency

By Maia Crowell and Heather Longley

The Center for the Performing Arts will host not only a performance by Decoda, but also a homecoming visit for Clara Lyon. The ensemble’s violinist is a State College Area High School grad and co-artistic director for the ensemble. She spoke recently with the Center’s team in a virtual conversation.

Lyon described Decoda is an artist collective numbering 35 artists, the majority of whom live in the United States. She said the group formed 13 years ago the conclusion of a Carnegie Hall fellowship program, where the participating artists felt so connected that they wanted to continue performing and creating together. Today, Decoda is the sole Affiliate Ensemble of Carnegie Hall.

The ensemble will perform the program “Reverberations,” featuring special guest cinematic pop vocal duo Ringdown. Lyon said it’s special to her that the ensemble will perform in her hometown.

“I think this program with Ringdown really explores lots of artistic connections and a lot of creative connections across the 20^th century,” Lyon said, “peering into the fabric and the interwoven nature of different artists inspiring each other, both across time but also as contemporaries in their own lifetimes.”

Lyon, whose father is School of Music Professor James Lyon, said she is excited to engage with students during a variety of free engagement events, and to collaborate with Penn State student musicians in playing Aaron Copland’s “Appalachian Spring.” She said a large pillar of Decoda’s values revolve around artistic mentorship, so this unique experience means a lot to the collective.

“We’re going to be working with four students from the music department at Penn State … and doing a side-by-side, collaborative rehearsal process,” Lyon said.

In the few days leading up to their performance, these students will rehearse and build relationships with members of the collective while gaining valuable, hands-on experience. The Very Open Rehearsal will be at 4:30 p.m. Monday, March 30, in Recital Hall.

With her return to the community where her journey began, Lyon said she is eager to bridge her professional performance with her desire to collaborate and mentor new artists. She said she invites everyone to think bigger about their art, their impact and the lives they want to shape through creativity.

“I hope that the audience leaves with a greater sense of interconnectedness,” Lyon said. “Every single piece in the program really speaks to each other, musically and aesthetically. … The true purse of being an artist is the way is changes how you live.”

Decoda featuring special guest Ringdown will perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in Recital Hall. Visit Decoda online for details about additional free, related engagement events and to purchase tickets.

Maia Crowell is a marketing communications intern and Heather Longley is a marketing communications specialist at the Center for the Performing Arts.