The Artist Notebook: Lexi Bodick

Logan Phillips & Sara Levine
Senior Editor & Reporter

When senior Lexi Bodick first began playing the bass in sixth grade with the dream of forming a family band, she could not have imagined she’d be jamming on a Broadway stage before graduating high school. Lexi, described by Orchestra teacher Leo Ficks as “one of the most improved players I’ve ever taught,” has already accumulated a resume that most aspiring musicians would envy. Not only is she second chair in the Western Regional Orchestra for the upright bass, but she was also the associate conductor and bass player in the Broadway show 13.

Lexi’s quick rise to success may be due to her willingness to challenge herself by playing with other talented artists. “I learn from the people I play with,” Lexi said. “A lot of the time, I play with people who are better than me and have a lot more experience. I’m in a lot of jazz ensembles with older people and just playing with these people has forced me to practice a lot more.”

This undying work ethic impressed industry professionals, landing her a spot in the Broadway show 13 with only four years of bass experience under her belt. Lexi was the only female in the show’s orchestra and worked as the associate conductor on top of playing bass. “Being on Broadway was like cramming for a test,” Lexi said. “It was the most work I’ve done in my whole life, and I learned so much in that little amount of time that I had to get the music perfected. It was a lot of work, but I met a lot of great people in this community of musicians. I was just playing all the time.”

Today, Lexi is in the band Ballet for Athletes with seniors Nick Zanca, Ryan Timberlake, Bridgette Lemoine and Sean Peterson. She met some of her fellow band members in an extracurricular program called School of Rock at the Studio in New Canaan. “I was in a band called Flowers In December with Ryan and Nick,” Lexi said. “After the program we stayed together and formed this band. Nick and I were also in a trio together called The Blacklights in 2007, and we’ve been best friends ever since.”

Considering her passion and all her accomplishments, it’s not a shock that Lexi plans on pursuing a professional career in music. “Before I got the part [in 13], I didn’t know I wanted to go into music professionally,” Lexi said. “But after the Broadway and off-Broadway gigs, I knew that music was what I wanted to do with my life, and it gave me a taste of the professional world. I plan on doing a dual degree, majoring in Music Education and Jazz Performance. I also want to continue subbing and performing in Broadway pits. So far, I’ve completed eight auditions for college and have yet to make a decision.”

Listen to Lexi and her band, Ballet for Athletes, go to http://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/ballet-for-athletes/id420495030, or visit their Facebook page or their YouTube channel.