Blake Purser, age 16, is a student of Matt Johnson. Blake has been a student at the Gifted Music School’s Conservatory Program since 2020 and is a member of their competitive music listening team. Some of Blake’s achievements include placing 3rd at the 2023 Brimhall Cello Competition, earning an Honorable Mention at the 2021 ASTA Chamber Competition, and most recently, receiving 1st place at ASTA in October. When Blake isn’t playing cello, he is rock climbing, creating things in his homemade forge, building prehistoric weapons, drawing and sculpting, refining his astrophotography skills, or snuggling with his sheepadoodle, Pickett.