A Mount Rainier Cellist Plays From Her Porch for Neighbors — and the World — Every Day

Photo courtesy of Jimmy Tarlau

Jodi Beder set out to play music for her neighbors in Mount Rainier. Instead, her performances ended up going around the world.

For the past month, the professional cellist puts on a half-hour concert every day at 1 p.m. from her porch at the corner of 34th and Tilden streets.

“I wanted to make it a regular thing so that people could just know that they could come here and listen,” she told the Washington Post. “But I also wanted to make it a regular thing because my days are a little bit lacking in structure — as everybody’s are right now.”

Word got out, especially since her husband, former state delegate Jimmy Tarlau, livestreams each performance on Facebook.

Since then, Beder’s concerts have been featured everywhere from Washingtonian to The Atlantic to news outlets in Japan and Ukraine.

A professional cellist who has played with everything from the Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia to a cabaret-rock ensemble, Beder has experience playing music to comfort people.

Since 2013, she has volunteered for the charity A Musical Heart, which provides live music for patients in hospice. Recently, the nonprofit has had to suspend its usual operations since visitors aren’t allowed in many facilities due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Beder, who moved to Mount Rainier in 2003, said volunteers have instead been playing for patients through video chat apps like FaceTime.

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4 responses to “A Mount Rainier Cellist Plays From Her Porch for Neighbors — and the World — Every Day”

  1. Jodi Beder says:

    Thanks for this shoutout!. I play at 1pm these days, not at 4.

  2. Judy Thompson says:

    Thank you Ms Jodi for doing this. I live around the corner from you. If it isn’t raining I will see you this afternoon.

  3. Alison Beckwith says:

    We’ve made the update. Thanks Jodi! See you soon.

  4. Steph says:

    Used to live in Hyattsville, I played the cello as a kid, had a great school music program in the county schools in yhe 70’s and early 80’s..lots of performance opportunities and strong parental and community support. From time to time Id practice on our front porch on Lancer Drive…felt good. But what you are doing is lovely..sharing human kinds greatest treasure, music with everyone. Just beautiful. I live in Gettysburg PA…if you take requests, I love The Swan❤️. In addition, I’m I cancer patient and I was touched by your your regular mission. As kids our chamber groups would play at Senior Centers, Nursing homes etc. especially during the Holidays snd Spring…a cellist of your calibur would indeed be a special treat.

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