Once Upon a Time with the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra

There are some evenings that stay with you long after the curtain closes — nights where music, emotion, and imagination come together in such perfect harmony that you find yourself replaying every moment in your mind. Last Friday night was one of those nights. I had the absolute pleasure of attending Once Upon a Time at Bainbridge Performing Arts, where the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra transported the audience into a world of fairytales and wonder through music.

From the moment I walked into the theater, there was a soft hum of anticipation in the air — that special kind of excitement that fills a room when everyone senses they’re about to experience something extraordinary. The stage was set beautifully, with a warmth and elegance that made the space feel both intimate and grand. The lighting was soft and inviting, almost dreamlike, and as the musicians took their places, the atmosphere shifted. Conversations hushed, breaths steadied, and suddenly the room belonged entirely to the music.

When the first notes began, I felt as if I had been transported. The walls of the theater seemed to dissolve, and I was swept into a world where stories were told not with words, but with melody and movement. Each piece unfolded like a chapter in a magical book — whimsical, mysterious, and at times deeply moving.

Throughout the evening, we journeyed through beloved fairytale soundscapes, from Humperdinck’s Hansel and Gretel to Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite and the ever-powerful Stravinsky’s The Firebird. Each work carried its own mood and message, its own touch of enchantment. Hansel and Gretel felt like stepping into an old European folktale, full of charm and nostalgia, while Mother Goose offered something gentler and more delicate — each movement unfolding with the grace of a whispered bedtime story. 

My favorite moment of the night was Le Jardin Féerique, or The Fairy Garden, from Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite. It was pure magic — soft, luminous, and brimming with emotion. The way the orchestra shaped that piece made it feel like time had slowed down, like the whole room was floating in a moment of peace and wonder. Then again, the final moments of Stravinsky’s The Firebird Suite — Awakening / Kastchei’s Death — might have been my favorite as well. The power and energy of the orchestra in that climactic ending were breathtaking. It was a perfect balance of darkness and light, tension and triumph — the very essence of a fairytale’s ending brought to life through sound.

As a legally blind person, live performances like this are an experience that go far beyond what I can see. They’re about what I can feel. I may not always catch every visual detail on stage, but I experience the performance through sound, energy, and emotion. Every vibration of a cello string, every swell of the horns, every breath between movements — it all tells a story. The music paints vivid pictures in my mind, and that’s what makes it so special to me.

The only challenge of the night was the seating. My view wasn’t ideal for seeing the orchestra, and I realized that next time, I’ll choose a seat in the middle aisle so I can enjoy it more fully. Still, even that couldn’t take away from the evening’s beauty. The sound filled every corner of the room and every inch of my heart.

A particularly touching moment came during intermission. The older, distinguished gentleman who had been playing the piano came over, stopped, and greeted us with a kind smile. He asked if we were enjoying the show, and it instantly warmed my heart. That small gesture — just a few words — reminded me why I love the Bainbridge arts community so much. There’s a sense of closeness and connection that makes every performance feel personal.

The heart and soul of the concert, however, came from the orchestra itself — and from the remarkable leadership of Ryan Dakota Farris, the Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra’s Music Director. Ryan commanded the stage with a quiet but powerful confidence. His connection to the music and to the musicians was evident in every movement of his baton. It was as if he was guiding not just the
orchestra, but the story itself — weaving emotion, precision, and passion into something extraordinary.

Ryan is not only a talented conductor but also an accomplished educator. He’s currently pursuing his doctorate in Orchestral Conducting at the University of Washington, where he leads the Campus Philharmonia and serves as Assistant Conductor of the UW Symphony Orchestra. His experience includes working with professional orchestras across the country — from the Auburn Symphony and Boulder Philharmonic to Colorado MahlerFest — and guest conducting with ensembles such as the Octava Chamber Orchestra and the Lake Union Civic Orchestra. His presence on stage reflects a genuine love for his craft and an ability to bring out the very best in his musicians. Watching him conduct felt like witnessing someone completely at home in their element — passionate, focused, and deeply connected to the audience before him.

The Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra’s Once Upon a Time was more than a concert — it was a journey through imagination. It reminded me of why I cherish the arts so deeply: because for a few hours, the outside world fades away. The noise of life quiets, and what’s left is something honest and beautiful — music that speaks to the soul.

If you’ve never attended a Bainbridge Symphony Orchestra performance, I can’t recommend it enough. Whether you’re a lifelong lover of classical music or just curious to experience something new, this is the kind of evening that stays with you. It’s an experience that reaches beyond hearing — it’s about feeling, connecting, and remembering that magic still exists in the world.

The venue itself is every bit as charming as the performance. The lobby of Bainbridge Performing Arts is bright and welcoming, with artful touches that reflect the island’s creative spirit. Guests mingled between sets, chatting over small snacks and drinks available for purchase. The scent of coffee and sweet treats mixed with the buzz of conversation and laughter. There’s something so comforting about that — standing in a space filled with people brought together by a shared love of art and music. The BPA team truly creates an atmosphere that feels like home, where you can sip something warm, chat with friends old and new, and soak in the beauty around you before the music calls you back inside.

As the final act came to a close, the music rose to its triumphant end, and I found myself holding my breath, caught between awe and gratitude. When the final note faded and the applause filled the hall, I sat for a moment, not quite ready to leave that fairytale world behind.

I walked out of the theater that night with my heart full, still hearing echoes of that magical story told through sound. The glow of the evening lingered — the melodies, the emotion, the shared sense of wonder.

✨ Once Upon a Time reminded me that there’s still wonder in the world — sometimes, you just have to sit quietly, close your eyes, and listen for it.