On the crisp autumn night of September 23rd, students and faculty gathered in the Berkshire Hall Atrium for the annual Student Recital Series. This year, the audience was delightfully serenaded by pianist Zeynep Lal Kara ’23 and violinist Toby Huang ’25. 

 Lal Kara’s talent filled the room with awe as she played Chopin’s Etude (Op.10 No.4) and Ballade (Op.23 No.1), Saygun’s Etude (Op.38 No.1), and Beethoven’s Sonata (No.8) “Pathetique.” Izzy Blake ’26 remarked, “Zeynep’s talent went far beyond anything I could imagine from someone of such a young age.”

 Soon, Lal Kara accompanied Huang through Ravel’s “Tzigane,” and Bruch’s Violin Concerto in G minor, 3rd movement. Huang also performed Bach’s Violin Sonata in A minor, 3rd movement. Aggie Ryan ’23 reflected, “Their instruments and talent complemented each other perfectly, making for an unforgettable evening.” 

 Overall, this night of music and community fellowship was only the beginning of a highly anticipated series of recitals and showcases this year. Zeynep and Toby are quite a dynamic duo within the talented Berkshire student body.