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ACADEMY FACULTY & GUEST ARTISTS
JIMIN LIM
Violin
Nashville Symphony
Jimin Lim has been member of Nashville Symphony's Second Violin section since 2017 Fall. Highlights from her recent seasons include solo engagements with Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Symphony Orchestra, Moldova National Symphony Orchestra, KNUA Symphony Orchestra and the Conductors Orchestra at Indiana University.
Lim has garnered top prizes from many competitions including fourth prize in the Kloster Schontal International Violin competition, first prize in the Hankook-Ilbo Competition, second prize in the Korea Germany Brahms Competition and third prize in the Korean Chamber Orchestra competition. In addition, she was selected to give a solo recital at the Kumho Young Artist Concert Series. Lim also has taken part in master classes with Victor Danchenko, Daniel Hope, Kohichiro Harada, Kurt Sassmannshaus and Regis Pasquier.
Also an avid chamber musician, Lim has performed in numerous performances and master classes with leading musicians of our time, including Joshua Bell, James Dunham, Alexander Kerr, Sylvia Rosenberg, Donald Weilerstein and members of the American and Pacifica quartets.
As an orchestral player, Lim was member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where she served as principal second violin and participated in multiple readings with Riccardo Muti. She also held concertmaster and associate concertmaster positions at Indiana Jacobs School of Music. She has played with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as substitute player.
Lim has participated in many festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival (2014-2017), where she was recipient of the Dorothy and Richard Starling Foundation Scholarship. While performing with Aspen Music Festival, she has held concertmaster and principal positions, performing under many great maestros such as Jane Glover, Jun Markl, Nicholas McGegan, Ludovic Morlot, Robert Spano and Osmo Vanska. Lim also participated in Ishikawa Music Academy (2010-2012) and the Great Mountains Music Festival (2007-2012).
A native of Busan, South Korea, Lim was born into a musical family and began her violin studies at age 6. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Violin Performance from Korean National University of the Arts, where she studied with renowned pedagogue Nam-Yun Kim. She holds Performance Diplomas in both solo and orchestral studies from Indiana University, where she studied with Alexander Kerr, Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony.
Jimin Lim has been member of Nashville Symphony's Second Violin section since 2017 Fall. Highlights from her recent seasons include solo engagements with Busan Philharmonic Orchestra, Busan Symphony Orchestra, Moldova National Symphony Orchestra, KNUA Symphony Orchestra and the Conductors Orchestra at Indiana University.
Lim has garnered top prizes from many competitions including fourth prize in the Kloster Schontal International Violin competition, first prize in the Hankook-Ilbo Competition, second prize in the Korea Germany Brahms Competition and third prize in the Korean Chamber Orchestra competition. In addition, she was selected to give a solo recital at the Kumho Young Artist Concert Series. Lim also has taken part in master classes with Victor Danchenko, Daniel Hope, Kohichiro Harada, Kurt Sassmannshaus and Regis Pasquier.
Also an avid chamber musician, Lim has performed in numerous performances and master classes with leading musicians of our time, including Joshua Bell, James Dunham, Alexander Kerr, Sylvia Rosenberg, Donald Weilerstein and members of the American and Pacifica quartets.
As an orchestral player, Lim was member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, where she served as principal second violin and participated in multiple readings with Riccardo Muti. She also held concertmaster and associate concertmaster positions at Indiana Jacobs School of Music. She has played with Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra as substitute player.
Lim has participated in many festivals, including the Aspen Music Festival (2014-2017), where she was recipient of the Dorothy and Richard Starling Foundation Scholarship. While performing with Aspen Music Festival, she has held concertmaster and principal positions, performing under many great maestros such as Jane Glover, Jun Markl, Nicholas McGegan, Ludovic Morlot, Robert Spano and Osmo Vanska. Lim also participated in Ishikawa Music Academy (2010-2012) and the Great Mountains Music Festival (2007-2012).
A native of Busan, South Korea, Lim was born into a musical family and began her violin studies at age 6. She holds Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Violin Performance from Korean National University of the Arts, where she studied with renowned pedagogue Nam-Yun Kim. She holds Performance Diplomas in both solo and orchestral studies from Indiana University, where she studied with Alexander Kerr, Concertmaster of the Dallas Symphony.
DIANA RAMIREZ ROSALES
Violin
YOSAL Artist
National Symphony of Costa Rica
A native of Costa Rica, violinist Diana Ramírez Rosales received her master’s degree from the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where she studied with violin virtuoso Charles Castleman. During her time at Frost, she was a member of the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, where she performed with James Newton Howard, John Williams, Jeff Beal, Chris Walden, and Ben Folds. As an orchestral violinist, Diana has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Orchestra Miami, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Abilene Philharmonic, the Orchestra of the Americas, and others.
Diana recently graduated from The Global Leaders Program cohort 2021, a highly competitive program focused on leadership and social entrepreneurship for selected musicians from around the world. Her graduation case study, “Buffalo String Works: The Power of Music in a Diverse Community” can be found in the Music in Action Journal (musicinaction.org). Diana currently serves as the Upper Strings Specialist at YOSAL-Youth Orchestra Salinas, where she teaches violin and viola classes, coaches chamber music, and performs as a resident chamber musician. She is also Adjunct Violin Faculty at Sinfónica Azteca, and performs regularly with various regional groups including Monterey Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, I Cantori di Carmel, and Ensemble Monterey. Additionally, she is an instructor for the Killian Scholars music program at Hartnell College in Salinas.
National Symphony of Costa Rica
A native of Costa Rica, violinist Diana Ramírez Rosales received her master’s degree from the prestigious Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, where she studied with violin virtuoso Charles Castleman. During her time at Frost, she was a member of the Henry Mancini Institute Orchestra, where she performed with James Newton Howard, John Williams, Jeff Beal, Chris Walden, and Ben Folds. As an orchestral violinist, Diana has performed with the National Symphony Orchestra of Costa Rica, Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Orchestra Miami, Oklahoma City Philharmonic, Abilene Philharmonic, the Orchestra of the Americas, and others.
Diana recently graduated from The Global Leaders Program cohort 2021, a highly competitive program focused on leadership and social entrepreneurship for selected musicians from around the world. Her graduation case study, “Buffalo String Works: The Power of Music in a Diverse Community” can be found in the Music in Action Journal (musicinaction.org). Diana currently serves as the Upper Strings Specialist at YOSAL-Youth Orchestra Salinas, where she teaches violin and viola classes, coaches chamber music, and performs as a resident chamber musician. She is also Adjunct Violin Faculty at Sinfónica Azteca, and performs regularly with various regional groups including Monterey Symphony, Santa Cruz Symphony, I Cantori di Carmel, and Ensemble Monterey. Additionally, she is an instructor for the Killian Scholars music program at Hartnell College in Salinas.
SHELLEY BOVYER
Violin
LA Phil
Violinist MICHELE BOVYER joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1981. In October 2000 she was appointed to the sixth chair of the first violin section. She has appeared numerous times as soloist with the orchestra – at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in performances of music by Vivaldi and Beethoven, and at the Hollywood Bowl in a Hoffnung concert and in performances of music by Vivaldi and Mozart. She has also been featured in several LA Phil Chamber Music series programs.
She spent many summers at the Red Fox Music Camp in the Berkshires, participated in the first two years of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and was a member of the Aspen Music Festival Chamber Orchestra.Bovyer is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, where she was a student of Ivan Galamian, Sally Thomas, and Ruggiero Ricci. In 1977, the young violinist and her husband, clarinetist Gary Bovyer, moved to Israel, where she joined the Jerusalem Symphony as principal second violin. Shortly thereafter she was invited to join the Israel Philharmonic and became a member of their first violin section under the direction of Zubin Mehta.
Bovyer soloed with the Israel Philharmonic both in Tel Aviv and on a South American tour. She and her husband are founders of the Aryeh Ensemble, which has given a number of performances throughout California.
Violinist MICHELE BOVYER joined the Los Angeles Philharmonic in 1981. In October 2000 she was appointed to the sixth chair of the first violin section. She has appeared numerous times as soloist with the orchestra – at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in performances of music by Vivaldi and Beethoven, and at the Hollywood Bowl in a Hoffnung concert and in performances of music by Vivaldi and Mozart. She has also been featured in several LA Phil Chamber Music series programs.
She spent many summers at the Red Fox Music Camp in the Berkshires, participated in the first two years of the New York String Orchestra Seminar, and was a member of the Aspen Music Festival Chamber Orchestra.Bovyer is a graduate of the Juilliard School of Music, where she was a student of Ivan Galamian, Sally Thomas, and Ruggiero Ricci. In 1977, the young violinist and her husband, clarinetist Gary Bovyer, moved to Israel, where she joined the Jerusalem Symphony as principal second violin. Shortly thereafter she was invited to join the Israel Philharmonic and became a member of their first violin section under the direction of Zubin Mehta.
Bovyer soloed with the Israel Philharmonic both in Tel Aviv and on a South American tour. She and her husband are founders of the Aryeh Ensemble, which has given a number of performances throughout California.
ANDREW FRANCOIS
Viola
St. Louis Symphony
LA Phil Resident Fellow
Born and raised in Kankakee, IL, Violist Andrew Francois began his musical studies at the age of 10 on violin in his school’s string program.
As a chamber musician and soloist, Mr. Francois has given recitals throughout the United States and Europe. Francois also served as artist faculty with the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival. Currently a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Francois has played and served as principal with various orchestras, including the Verbier Festival Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, and was in the inaugural class of fellows with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Resident Fellows program.
Mr. Francois has received Artistic Excellence Fellowships from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as well as Illinois State University. Mr. Francois enjoys teaching and community outreach, and has traveled to Medellin, Colombia to teach Masterclasses and Lessons at Eafit Universidad. While an undergraduate student, he was a Teaching assistant and private instructor at Illinois State University in their String Project program. As a graduate of the Jacobs School of music, studying under string department chair Stephen Wyrczynski, Mr. Francois held the title of Graduate Assistant for the string department, as well as sat on the Jacobs School of Music Council as a Graduate representative. In his spare time, Francois enjoys playing tennis and reading.
LA Phil Resident Fellow
Born and raised in Kankakee, IL, Violist Andrew Francois began his musical studies at the age of 10 on violin in his school’s string program.
As a chamber musician and soloist, Mr. Francois has given recitals throughout the United States and Europe. Francois also served as artist faculty with the Anchorage Chamber Music Festival. Currently a member of the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Mr. Francois has played and served as principal with various orchestras, including the Verbier Festival Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival Orchestra, New World Symphony Orchestra, and was in the inaugural class of fellows with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Resident Fellows program.
Mr. Francois has received Artistic Excellence Fellowships from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University as well as Illinois State University. Mr. Francois enjoys teaching and community outreach, and has traveled to Medellin, Colombia to teach Masterclasses and Lessons at Eafit Universidad. While an undergraduate student, he was a Teaching assistant and private instructor at Illinois State University in their String Project program. As a graduate of the Jacobs School of music, studying under string department chair Stephen Wyrczynski, Mr. Francois held the title of Graduate Assistant for the string department, as well as sat on the Jacobs School of Music Council as a Graduate representative. In his spare time, Francois enjoys playing tennis and reading.
SONJA KRAUS
Cello
University of South Dakota
International Chamber Orchestra, Puerto Rico
Dr. Sonja Kraus, a native of Germany, is an internationally acclaimed cellist, teacher, and music scholar, whose concertizing and teaching career has taken her through Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the United States.
Currently, Kraus holds the position of Assistant Professor of Cello/Bass at the University of South Dakota and is the cellist in the renowned Rawlins Piano Trio. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of South Dakota, Kraus was the cello professor at the Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo as well as the principal cellist of the Orquesta Filarmónica Municipal de Guayaquil in Ecuador. Recently, Kraus has also become the assistant director of the USD Summer Music Camp and the orchestra manager of the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico.
Kraus received her bachelor’s degree in cello performance and pedagogy from the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart (Germany) as well as a master’s and doctoral degree from the Jacobs School of Music – Indiana University Bloomington where she studied with Prof. Emilio Colón.
Kraus is a sought-out performer, clinician, and instructor of masterclasses throughout the US, Latin America, and Germany with invitations to the Colegio Universitario San Gerónimo de La Habana (Cuba), Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Jacobs School of Music – Indiana University (IN), Chapman University (CA), University of Kansas (KS), and the University of Oklahoma (OK). Kraus participated in several music festivals around the world including Habana Clásica, the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, and the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy.
International Chamber Orchestra, Puerto Rico
Dr. Sonja Kraus, a native of Germany, is an internationally acclaimed cellist, teacher, and music scholar, whose concertizing and teaching career has taken her through Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the United States.
Currently, Kraus holds the position of Assistant Professor of Cello/Bass at the University of South Dakota and is the cellist in the renowned Rawlins Piano Trio. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of South Dakota, Kraus was the cello professor at the Universidad de Especialidades Espíritu Santo as well as the principal cellist of the Orquesta Filarmónica Municipal de Guayaquil in Ecuador. Recently, Kraus has also become the assistant director of the USD Summer Music Camp and the orchestra manager of the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico.
Kraus received her bachelor’s degree in cello performance and pedagogy from the State University of Music and Performing Arts in Stuttgart (Germany) as well as a master’s and doctoral degree from the Jacobs School of Music – Indiana University Bloomington where she studied with Prof. Emilio Colón.
Kraus is a sought-out performer, clinician, and instructor of masterclasses throughout the US, Latin America, and Germany with invitations to the Colegio Universitario San Gerónimo de La Habana (Cuba), Conservatorio de Música de Puerto Rico, Jacobs School of Music – Indiana University (IN), Chapman University (CA), University of Kansas (KS), and the University of Oklahoma (OK). Kraus participated in several music festivals around the world including Habana Clásica, the International Chamber Orchestra of Puerto Rico, and the Fresno Summer Orchestra Academy.
AMEENA MARIA KHAWAJA
Cello
Hollywood Bowl
Grammys
Ameena Maria Khawaja is a cellist and mezzo-soprano, originally from the Bay Area. She studied cello in San Francisco & Los Angeles, and vocal performance privately in Italy and at the Hochschule für Musik in Trossingen, Germany. She is an active performer and teacher in both fields.
Ameena has worked on numerous studio recordings and live performances, and recently joined Alison Wonderland for two sold-out shows at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Live shows include supporting Kamasi Washington at Walt Disney Concert Hall & the Hollywood Bowl, & Jeff Lynne’s ELO in New York and Los Angeles. She is often in the studio, recording for film, television, and pop/rock albums. Other artists with whom she has collaborated include: Sia, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Khalid, Coldplay, Jessie J., Mandy Moore, Mary J. Blige, Spacehog, Marc Anthony, Linda Perry, daKah Hip-Hop Orchestra, Switchfoot, Delta Goodrem, Rain Phoenix, Marco Antonio Solís, Trans Siberian Orchestra and many more. Ameena has had the opportunity to perform live at the Grammy Awards, as well as on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, NBC’s The Voice, American Idol, Coachella, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Ameena has a passion for educating and mentoring young musicians and has taught both cello and voice for two decades. She is currently the Executive Director of YOSAL, was a Teaching Artist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Harmony Project, and the cello and chamber music instructor for YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) at EXPO whom she coached for their performance with Coldplay at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show. Ameena has given master classes at the Grammy Museum in Hollywood, coached for the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra, was a staff member at the Pacific Crest Music Festival, and maintains a full studio of private and chamber music students.
Ameena studied and performed musical theatre in San Francisco, improv comedy in Los Angeles and opera throughout the United States and Europe.
Grammys
Ameena Maria Khawaja is a cellist and mezzo-soprano, originally from the Bay Area. She studied cello in San Francisco & Los Angeles, and vocal performance privately in Italy and at the Hochschule für Musik in Trossingen, Germany. She is an active performer and teacher in both fields.
Ameena has worked on numerous studio recordings and live performances, and recently joined Alison Wonderland for two sold-out shows at the famed Red Rocks Amphitheatre in Colorado. Live shows include supporting Kamasi Washington at Walt Disney Concert Hall & the Hollywood Bowl, & Jeff Lynne’s ELO in New York and Los Angeles. She is often in the studio, recording for film, television, and pop/rock albums. Other artists with whom she has collaborated include: Sia, Billie Eilish, Ariana Grande, Khalid, Coldplay, Jessie J., Mandy Moore, Mary J. Blige, Spacehog, Marc Anthony, Linda Perry, daKah Hip-Hop Orchestra, Switchfoot, Delta Goodrem, Rain Phoenix, Marco Antonio Solís, Trans Siberian Orchestra and many more. Ameena has had the opportunity to perform live at the Grammy Awards, as well as on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, NBC’s The Voice, American Idol, Coachella, and The Jimmy Kimmel Show.
Ameena has a passion for educating and mentoring young musicians and has taught both cello and voice for two decades. She is currently the Executive Director of YOSAL, was a Teaching Artist for the Los Angeles Philharmonic, The Harmony Project, and the cello and chamber music instructor for YOLA (Youth Orchestra Los Angeles) at EXPO whom she coached for their performance with Coldplay at the Super Bowl 50 Halftime Show. Ameena has given master classes at the Grammy Museum in Hollywood, coached for the Pasadena Youth Symphony Orchestra, was a staff member at the Pacific Crest Music Festival, and maintains a full studio of private and chamber music students.
Ameena studied and performed musical theatre in San Francisco, improv comedy in Los Angeles and opera throughout the United States and Europe.
SAM LOECK
Double Bass
Calgary Philharmonic
London Symphony Orchestra
Sam Loeck joined the Calgary Philharmonic as Principal Bass in 2016. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sam earned his Bachelor’s Degree in music performance from the University of Nebraska. He then earned a Master’s degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Bruce Bransby and was named winner of the IU Bass Concerto Competition. Sam has performed extensively as guest-Principal Bass with the London Symphony Orchestra (UK), and served as a substitute bass with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony.
When he’s away from the instrument, Sam is an avid woodworker and enjoys solitude in the mountains.
London Symphony Orchestra
Sam Loeck joined the Calgary Philharmonic as Principal Bass in 2016. A native of Lincoln, Nebraska, Sam earned his Bachelor’s Degree in music performance from the University of Nebraska. He then earned a Master’s degree from the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, where he studied with Bruce Bransby and was named winner of the IU Bass Concerto Competition. Sam has performed extensively as guest-Principal Bass with the London Symphony Orchestra (UK), and served as a substitute bass with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the Oregon Symphony.
When he’s away from the instrument, Sam is an avid woodworker and enjoys solitude in the mountains.
DENNIS BARAW
Double Bass
YOSAL Artist
Santa Cruz Symphony
Dennis grew up in Stafford Springs, Connecticut where he began playing music at the age of nine and knew immediately he wanted to dedicate his life to it. Shortly after graduating High School he followed his passion to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended a one-year certificate program on electric bass at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
Dennis began his formal musical studies at a local community college and later transferred to the University of Georgia. During his time at UGA Dennis was able to gain valuable experience as a performer and teacher in many varied settings. He has also traveled, taught and played in countries around the world including China, Italy and Costa Rica.
Dennis currently resides in Marina, California. He recently relocated there from Houston, Texas to work with the Youth Orchestra of Salinas (YOSAL), where he teaches cello and bass. He can be seen performing in the area with other YOSAL Teaching Artists and the Santa Cruz Symphony.
Santa Cruz Symphony
Dennis grew up in Stafford Springs, Connecticut where he began playing music at the age of nine and knew immediately he wanted to dedicate his life to it. Shortly after graduating High School he followed his passion to Atlanta, Georgia where he attended a one-year certificate program on electric bass at the Atlanta Institute of Music.
Dennis began his formal musical studies at a local community college and later transferred to the University of Georgia. During his time at UGA Dennis was able to gain valuable experience as a performer and teacher in many varied settings. He has also traveled, taught and played in countries around the world including China, Italy and Costa Rica.
Dennis currently resides in Marina, California. He recently relocated there from Houston, Texas to work with the Youth Orchestra of Salinas (YOSAL), where he teaches cello and bass. He can be seen performing in the area with other YOSAL Teaching Artists and the Santa Cruz Symphony.
SARAH SHIN
Flute
Princeton University
Dr. Sarah Shin is a vibrant performer, educator, and collaborator. She is the Lecturer of Flute at Princeton University, a member of the Richardson Chamber Players, affiliated with Princeton University, and on the faculty at Rutgers University MGSA Community Arts as a flute instructor and chamber music coach. She has given master classes and workshops throughout the nation such as Carnegie Mellon University, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, University of Virginia Flute Forum, to name a few. Sarah is a William S. Haynes Artist and performs on a handmade custom Haynes 14k white gold flute.
Some of Sarah’s upcoming solo highlights include performing with Budapest MAV Symphony Orchestra in Salzburg, Austria, performing Mozart’s Concerto for flute and harp with the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra and Mirjam Schröder at The Große Musikvereinssaal, and performing in Prague, Czech Republic at Smetana Hall with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sarah has performed in Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, Jordan Hall and Symphony Hall in Boston; Le Poisson Rouge, Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, The DiMenna Center, Le Poisson Rouge, and Alice Tully Hall in New York City; John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; Gewandhaus Theatre in Leipzig, Germany; Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, South Korea; Konzerthaus Klagenfurt in Klagenfurt, Austria, and MuTh Concert Hall in Vienna, Austria. She has performed in festivals and with ensembles and orchestras in France, Brazil, Mexico, and nationwide within the United States, such as Brevard Music Center, Colorado College Music Festival, and Round Top Festival Institute. She has also performed at conventions of the National Flute Association and the Flute Society of Washington, Inc.
In 2023, she is a gala honoree of the Martha Graham Dance Company for honoring Trailblazing Women in the Arts. When attending her masters at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, she was awarded an Artistic Excellence Award and the Barbara and David Jacobs Scholarship Fellowship, given to ten students out of the entire entering class. She has won First Place Prize at the Golden Classical Music International Competition, American Protégé International Competition, Upper Midwest Flute Association: Young Artist Competition, and the Rutgers University Honors Chamber Music Competition.
Along with being a soloist and educator, Sarah is an avid chamber musician and collaborator. She is a founding member of the Emissary Quartet, a flute quartet dedicated to new music. The Emissary Quartet won grants from the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, NewMusic USA, Avaloch Farm Music Institute and Friends of Flute Foundation to promote new music through performance and education. They enjoy working with composers and creating projects such as a Call for Scores competition, which accumulated 190 submissions from over 5 continents. EQ has given presentations and taught educational workshops at University of Washington, the New Jersey Flute Society, the Suzuki Association of Utah, and the Utah Flute Association. They held residencies in Pittsburgh, Seattle, Iowa, to name a few. The Emissary Quartet was a quarterfinalist in the 2016 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. They also performed at the 2018 BMI Classical Music Awards Ceremony in New York City and the National Flute Association's 44th Convention in San Diego, California, and will perform at the 2021 National Flute Association Virtual Convention.
Sarah is President of the New Jersey Flute Society, the National Flute Association 2024 Convention Assistant Program Chair, and serves on two committees for the National Flute Association. With the
New Jersey Flute Society, Sarah initiated the first Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, first Scholarship Fund, and the Flute For All! Outreach Educational Flute Program. During the beginning of the pandemic, Sarah and the New Jersey Flute Society created a Q&A series designed to help those in need called “NJFS Gives Back.” The Q&A Series interviews well-known musicians and all proceeds will go to a charity chosen by the artists or to a scholarship fund for a student to take flute lessons. A couple of charities whose proceeds were donated are God’s Love We Deliver, Children’s Defense Fund, the NAACP, and Girls for Gender Equity.
Sarah attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts and is an honorary alum of the Young Artist Program at the Boston Flute Academy. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors in Flute Performance from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music and her Master of Music in Flute Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and received her Doctor of Musical Arts at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. She is grateful for her teachers Jeanne Baxtresser, Alberto Almarza, Thomas Robertello, Bart Feller, Judy Grant, Dr. Sonja Giles, and Marianne Gedigian.
Dr. Sarah Shin is a vibrant performer, educator, and collaborator. She is the Lecturer of Flute at Princeton University, a member of the Richardson Chamber Players, affiliated with Princeton University, and on the faculty at Rutgers University MGSA Community Arts as a flute instructor and chamber music coach. She has given master classes and workshops throughout the nation such as Carnegie Mellon University, Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, University of Virginia Flute Forum, to name a few. Sarah is a William S. Haynes Artist and performs on a handmade custom Haynes 14k white gold flute.
Some of Sarah’s upcoming solo highlights include performing with Budapest MAV Symphony Orchestra in Salzburg, Austria, performing Mozart’s Concerto for flute and harp with the Istanbul Symphony Orchestra and Mirjam Schröder at The Große Musikvereinssaal, and performing in Prague, Czech Republic at Smetana Hall with the North Czech Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sarah has performed in Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre, Jordan Hall and Symphony Hall in Boston; Le Poisson Rouge, Carnegie Hall, Weill Recital Hall, The DiMenna Center, Le Poisson Rouge, and Alice Tully Hall in New York City; John F. Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.; Gewandhaus Theatre in Leipzig, Germany; Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul, South Korea; Konzerthaus Klagenfurt in Klagenfurt, Austria, and MuTh Concert Hall in Vienna, Austria. She has performed in festivals and with ensembles and orchestras in France, Brazil, Mexico, and nationwide within the United States, such as Brevard Music Center, Colorado College Music Festival, and Round Top Festival Institute. She has also performed at conventions of the National Flute Association and the Flute Society of Washington, Inc.
In 2023, she is a gala honoree of the Martha Graham Dance Company for honoring Trailblazing Women in the Arts. When attending her masters at Indiana University, Jacobs School of Music, she was awarded an Artistic Excellence Award and the Barbara and David Jacobs Scholarship Fellowship, given to ten students out of the entire entering class. She has won First Place Prize at the Golden Classical Music International Competition, American Protégé International Competition, Upper Midwest Flute Association: Young Artist Competition, and the Rutgers University Honors Chamber Music Competition.
Along with being a soloist and educator, Sarah is an avid chamber musician and collaborator. She is a founding member of the Emissary Quartet, a flute quartet dedicated to new music. The Emissary Quartet won grants from the Fromm Foundation at Harvard University, NewMusic USA, Avaloch Farm Music Institute and Friends of Flute Foundation to promote new music through performance and education. They enjoy working with composers and creating projects such as a Call for Scores competition, which accumulated 190 submissions from over 5 continents. EQ has given presentations and taught educational workshops at University of Washington, the New Jersey Flute Society, the Suzuki Association of Utah, and the Utah Flute Association. They held residencies in Pittsburgh, Seattle, Iowa, to name a few. The Emissary Quartet was a quarterfinalist in the 2016 Fischoff Chamber Music Competition. They also performed at the 2018 BMI Classical Music Awards Ceremony in New York City and the National Flute Association's 44th Convention in San Diego, California, and will perform at the 2021 National Flute Association Virtual Convention.
Sarah is President of the New Jersey Flute Society, the National Flute Association 2024 Convention Assistant Program Chair, and serves on two committees for the National Flute Association. With the
New Jersey Flute Society, Sarah initiated the first Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, first Scholarship Fund, and the Flute For All! Outreach Educational Flute Program. During the beginning of the pandemic, Sarah and the New Jersey Flute Society created a Q&A series designed to help those in need called “NJFS Gives Back.” The Q&A Series interviews well-known musicians and all proceeds will go to a charity chosen by the artists or to a scholarship fund for a student to take flute lessons. A couple of charities whose proceeds were donated are God’s Love We Deliver, Children’s Defense Fund, the NAACP, and Girls for Gender Equity.
Sarah attended Walnut Hill School for the Arts and is an honorary alum of the Young Artist Program at the Boston Flute Academy. She received her Bachelor of Fine Arts with honors in Flute Performance from Carnegie Mellon University School of Music and her Master of Music in Flute Performance from Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, and received her Doctor of Musical Arts at Rutgers University Mason Gross School of the Arts. She is grateful for her teachers Jeanne Baxtresser, Alberto Almarza, Thomas Robertello, Bart Feller, Judy Grant, Dr. Sonja Giles, and Marianne Gedigian.
VIVIANA GUZMAN
Flute
University of CA Santa Cruz
SF Flute Society & Festival
Described by the New York Times as "an imaginative artist," Chilean-born flutist, Viviana Guzman received a GRAMMY Nomination for her classical album and her world music recording received a Global Music Awards Gold Medal. She gave a very successful TEDxBerkeley Talk, presenting just before Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple, Inc. She has been featured on programs for CNN, PBS, NBC, ABC, CBS, Good Morning America and NPR, and has performed in 135 countries, and in all 7 continents. Her YouTube Channel boasts 3 million views and her music videos have been aired on UNIVISION in 30 countries. She has performed as soloist with 265 ensembles including orchestras in such halls as in Carnegie Hall, and in Lincoln Center, and other prominent stages. By the age of 15, she was featured on a John Denver nationally televised NBC special "Music in the Mountains". Ms. Guzmán studied with James Galway, and graduated from the Juilliard School. A former member of the Houston Grand Opera and the New World Symphony, Viviana has released 13 multi-genre solo CD’s. Viviana has taught masterclasses in over 55 universities throughout the world. Viviana is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Flute Society & Festival, Founder of Flutes by the Sea Masterclasses, Co-Founder of The Flute View Magazine. Currently, Viviana currently teaches at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
SF Flute Society & Festival
Described by the New York Times as "an imaginative artist," Chilean-born flutist, Viviana Guzman received a GRAMMY Nomination for her classical album and her world music recording received a Global Music Awards Gold Medal. She gave a very successful TEDxBerkeley Talk, presenting just before Steve Wozniak, Co-Founder of Apple, Inc. She has been featured on programs for CNN, PBS, NBC, ABC, CBS, Good Morning America and NPR, and has performed in 135 countries, and in all 7 continents. Her YouTube Channel boasts 3 million views and her music videos have been aired on UNIVISION in 30 countries. She has performed as soloist with 265 ensembles including orchestras in such halls as in Carnegie Hall, and in Lincoln Center, and other prominent stages. By the age of 15, she was featured on a John Denver nationally televised NBC special "Music in the Mountains". Ms. Guzmán studied with James Galway, and graduated from the Juilliard School. A former member of the Houston Grand Opera and the New World Symphony, Viviana has released 13 multi-genre solo CD’s. Viviana has taught masterclasses in over 55 universities throughout the world. Viviana is the Executive Director of the San Francisco Flute Society & Festival, Founder of Flutes by the Sea Masterclasses, Co-Founder of The Flute View Magazine. Currently, Viviana currently teaches at the University of California, Santa Cruz.
MAYU ISOM
Oboe
Houston Grand Opera
Houston Ballet Orchestra
Mayu Isom is the Second Oboe and English horn with the Houston Grand Opera and Third Oboe with the Houston Ballet Orchestra. She served as Acting Principal Oboe with both orchestras for the 2021-22 Season as well as the start of the 2022-23 Season. Isom has also appeared as a soloist with the Houston Ballet Orchestra numerous times, such as performing English horn on Aaron Copland’s “Quiet City” and Stanton Welch’s “Orange”, featuring multiple Vivaldi oboe concertos. Isom’s orchestral credits include performances with the San Antonio Symphony, the Amarillo Symphony, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and others. Her festival appearances include the Spoleto Festival USA, the Music Academy of the West, the National Repertory Orchestra, the National Orchestral Institute, and many other festivals. Prior to winning her positions in Houston, Isom was a member of the studios of John Ferrillo and Anne Marie Gabriele at Boston University. While in Boston, Isom won the Ralph Gomberg Merit Award Competition through the Boston Woodwind Society. Isom earned her Master of Music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she was awarded a full scholarship to study with Robert Atherholt, and earned her Bachelor of Music at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music as a prestigious Jacobs Scholar under the tutelage of Linda Strommen and Roger Roe.
Houston Ballet Orchestra
Mayu Isom is the Second Oboe and English horn with the Houston Grand Opera and Third Oboe with the Houston Ballet Orchestra. She served as Acting Principal Oboe with both orchestras for the 2021-22 Season as well as the start of the 2022-23 Season. Isom has also appeared as a soloist with the Houston Ballet Orchestra numerous times, such as performing English horn on Aaron Copland’s “Quiet City” and Stanton Welch’s “Orange”, featuring multiple Vivaldi oboe concertos. Isom’s orchestral credits include performances with the San Antonio Symphony, the Amarillo Symphony, the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and others. Her festival appearances include the Spoleto Festival USA, the Music Academy of the West, the National Repertory Orchestra, the National Orchestral Institute, and many other festivals. Prior to winning her positions in Houston, Isom was a member of the studios of John Ferrillo and Anne Marie Gabriele at Boston University. While in Boston, Isom won the Ralph Gomberg Merit Award Competition through the Boston Woodwind Society. Isom earned her Master of Music at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, where she was awarded a full scholarship to study with Robert Atherholt, and earned her Bachelor of Music at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music as a prestigious Jacobs Scholar under the tutelage of Linda Strommen and Roger Roe.
GABE YOUNG
Oboe
SF Opera Orchestra
University of CA Santa Cruz
A native of Ashland, Oregon, oboist Gabe Young has been performing classical, jazz, klezmer and contemporary music for nearly all of his life. From busking at the local farmers’ market with his family trio to appearing in concert in world-class venues across the United States, Japan, Russia, and England, he has continued to develop his musical prowess, delighting audiences and critics alike. Young joined the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in 2019, at the age of 23. He has performed and been interviewed on National Public Radio, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and BBC Radio and Television, and appeared on the album Canto América (Wayne Wallace, Michael Spiro, La Orquesta Sinfonietta), a 2017 Grammy nominee for Best Latin Jazz Album. An active soloist, Young has been featured in concerto performances with the Queens Symphony Orchestra, the Rogue Valley Symphony, the Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra, Indiana University Symphony Orchestra, the Second Street Baroque Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute Orchestra and the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon. He is also regularly engaged with the Nu Deco Ensemble, an eclectic and genre-bending hybrid orchestra, in Miami. Young is a graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he held the John H. Reese Scholarship within the Wells Scholars Program, and The Juilliard School, as a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship. He extends his deepest gratitude to his principal teachers, Linda Strommen and Elaine Douvas.
University of CA Santa Cruz
A native of Ashland, Oregon, oboist Gabe Young has been performing classical, jazz, klezmer and contemporary music for nearly all of his life. From busking at the local farmers’ market with his family trio to appearing in concert in world-class venues across the United States, Japan, Russia, and England, he has continued to develop his musical prowess, delighting audiences and critics alike. Young joined the San Francisco Opera Orchestra in 2019, at the age of 23. He has performed and been interviewed on National Public Radio, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio and BBC Radio and Television, and appeared on the album Canto América (Wayne Wallace, Michael Spiro, La Orquesta Sinfonietta), a 2017 Grammy nominee for Best Latin Jazz Album. An active soloist, Young has been featured in concerto performances with the Queens Symphony Orchestra, the Rogue Valley Symphony, the Aspen Conducting Academy Orchestra, Indiana University Symphony Orchestra, the Second Street Baroque Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra Summer Music Institute Orchestra and the Youth Symphony of Southern Oregon. He is also regularly engaged with the Nu Deco Ensemble, an eclectic and genre-bending hybrid orchestra, in Miami. Young is a graduate of Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music, where he held the John H. Reese Scholarship within the Wells Scholars Program, and The Juilliard School, as a proud recipient of the Kovner Fellowship. He extends his deepest gratitude to his principal teachers, Linda Strommen and Elaine Douvas.
JANET POPESCO ARCHIBALD
Oboe
SF Opera Orchestra
Janet Popesco Archibald held the position of Solo English Horn with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.
A San Francisco native, she attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her principal oboe instructors were Marc Lifschey and Adrian Gnam. Janet has participated in the Aspen, Tanglewood, and Elkhorn at Sun Valley, Idaho music festivals. As a fellowship participant at Yale University's Yale at Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, she was hailed by the New York Times as a “particularly impressive” young artist.
Janet has appeared as a soloist on both the oboe and English Horn with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, where she was Co-Principal Oboe for many years. She has soloed on the English Horn with the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra and most recently, on the oboe with the Mozart to Mendelssohn Orchestra. She served as Principal Oboe of San Francisco Opera's touring affiliate, the Western Opera Theater Orchestra, for five national tours. For 12 summers she served as Principal Oboe of the Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival Orchestra and for 22 years, she was a member of the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory's Preparatory/Adult Extension department. She has also been a member of the music faculty at both San Francisco State University and the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Janet's recording credits include the film soundtracks for Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Ricochet, the TV series, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and the Grammy nominated CD of Gluck's Orphee & Eurydice with the San Francisco Opera.
When not chained to her reed-making desk, Janet likes to run and enjoys the outdoors. Her chamber music group, the Lowell Ensemble (formerly the Lowell Trio) features a rotating group of notable Bay Area musicians performing an eclectic mix of Classical, Folk and Film Music. The Lowell Ensemble perfoms regularly throughout the San Francisco
Bay Area in venues ranging from formal concert halls to funky music clubs.
Janet Popesco Archibald held the position of Solo English Horn with the San Francisco Opera Orchestra.
A San Francisco native, she attended the University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music and received her Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. Her principal oboe instructors were Marc Lifschey and Adrian Gnam. Janet has participated in the Aspen, Tanglewood, and Elkhorn at Sun Valley, Idaho music festivals. As a fellowship participant at Yale University's Yale at Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, she was hailed by the New York Times as a “particularly impressive” young artist.
Janet has appeared as a soloist on both the oboe and English Horn with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, where she was Co-Principal Oboe for many years. She has soloed on the English Horn with the Contra Costa Chamber Orchestra and most recently, on the oboe with the Mozart to Mendelssohn Orchestra. She served as Principal Oboe of San Francisco Opera's touring affiliate, the Western Opera Theater Orchestra, for five national tours. For 12 summers she served as Principal Oboe of the Lake Tahoe Summer Music Festival Orchestra and for 22 years, she was a member of the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory's Preparatory/Adult Extension department. She has also been a member of the music faculty at both San Francisco State University and the University of California at Santa Cruz.
Janet's recording credits include the film soundtracks for Once Upon a Time in Mexico, Ricochet, the TV series, The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles and the Grammy nominated CD of Gluck's Orphee & Eurydice with the San Francisco Opera.
When not chained to her reed-making desk, Janet likes to run and enjoys the outdoors. Her chamber music group, the Lowell Ensemble (formerly the Lowell Trio) features a rotating group of notable Bay Area musicians performing an eclectic mix of Classical, Folk and Film Music. The Lowell Ensemble perfoms regularly throughout the San Francisco
Bay Area in venues ranging from formal concert halls to funky music clubs.
JEROME SIMAS
Clarinet
SF Conservatory of Music
San Francisco Symphony
Jerome Simas, professor of clarinet and chamber music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, holds the position of solo bass clarinet and utility clarinet with the San Francisco Symphony, appointed by Michael Tilson Thomas in 2012. He has performed with other American orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and Naples Philharmonic. He was a fellow at the New World Symphony and has held principal clarinet positions with the California Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Monterey Symphony, and IRIS orchestra. As a chamber musician, he is resident clarinetist with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble in San Francisco, and is a frequent performer with SFS colleagues at Davies Symphony Hall and with the Sierra Chamber Society in the East Bay. He won grand prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and first prize at the International Clarinet Society young artist competition.
San Francisco Symphony
Jerome Simas, professor of clarinet and chamber music at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, holds the position of solo bass clarinet and utility clarinet with the San Francisco Symphony, appointed by Michael Tilson Thomas in 2012. He has performed with other American orchestras including the Cleveland Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Ballet, Sun Valley Summer Symphony, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra, and Naples Philharmonic. He was a fellow at the New World Symphony and has held principal clarinet positions with the California Symphony, Oakland Symphony, Modesto Symphony, Monterey Symphony, and IRIS orchestra. As a chamber musician, he is resident clarinetist with the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble in San Francisco, and is a frequent performer with SFS colleagues at Davies Symphony Hall and with the Sierra Chamber Society in the East Bay. He won grand prize at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and first prize at the International Clarinet Society young artist competition.
CANDIS BADGLEY CARLSON
Clarinet
YOSAL Artist
Cal State Univ. Northridge
Clarinetist Candis Badgley Carlson enjoys a multifaceted career as a sought-after chamber musician, educator, and freelancer. Currently, she is the Woodwinds Specialist Teaching Artist with Youth Orchestra Salinas. Previously, she taught clarinet and chamber music as a faculty member at California State University Northridge for seven years prior.
In demand as a chamber musician, Candis has performed with numerous chamber groups, including the LA Chamber Music Company, the Felici Trio, N’Cinq Woodwind Quintet, Exploration Music Project, and most recently at CSUN ChamberFest. Mrs. Badgley Carlson also founded Valley Chamber Ensembles, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that strives to enrich the community by providing an experience and an education through chamber music. Through four seasons, she programmed several unique concerts and became a grantee of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
An active orchestral musician, Mrs. Badgley Carlson has performed with several orchestras including OperaSLO, Mission Opera, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, Ventura Symphony Orchestra, Sierra Nevada Pops Orchestra, Valencia Philharmonic, and Moorpark Ballet Company. She has performed as a soloist with the CSUN Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the 2016 Concerto Competition. Additionally, Candis has recorded for motion pictures and several short films, including recording for the BMI program Uni Music Mentors with Emmy-nominated composers Cindy O’Connor, Rebecca Kneubuhl, and Tony Morales. Most recently she can be heard on bass clarinet on the motion picture soundtrack SICK.
Featured on such recordings as Music from the Heart from the Heartland, Candis has been described as possessing “an innate and intuitive sense of musical nuance with a beautiful tone.” Mrs. Badgley Carlson received her Bachelor of Music from Wichita State University under Dr. Suzanne Tirk, and her Master of Music from California State University Northridge under Dr. Julia Heinen.
Cal State Univ. Northridge
Clarinetist Candis Badgley Carlson enjoys a multifaceted career as a sought-after chamber musician, educator, and freelancer. Currently, she is the Woodwinds Specialist Teaching Artist with Youth Orchestra Salinas. Previously, she taught clarinet and chamber music as a faculty member at California State University Northridge for seven years prior.
In demand as a chamber musician, Candis has performed with numerous chamber groups, including the LA Chamber Music Company, the Felici Trio, N’Cinq Woodwind Quintet, Exploration Music Project, and most recently at CSUN ChamberFest. Mrs. Badgley Carlson also founded Valley Chamber Ensembles, a Los Angeles-based non-profit that strives to enrich the community by providing an experience and an education through chamber music. Through four seasons, she programmed several unique concerts and became a grantee of the Los Angeles County Department of Arts and Culture.
An active orchestral musician, Mrs. Badgley Carlson has performed with several orchestras including OperaSLO, Mission Opera, Lompoc Pops Orchestra, Ventura Symphony Orchestra, Sierra Nevada Pops Orchestra, Valencia Philharmonic, and Moorpark Ballet Company. She has performed as a soloist with the CSUN Symphony Orchestra as a winner of the 2016 Concerto Competition. Additionally, Candis has recorded for motion pictures and several short films, including recording for the BMI program Uni Music Mentors with Emmy-nominated composers Cindy O’Connor, Rebecca Kneubuhl, and Tony Morales. Most recently she can be heard on bass clarinet on the motion picture soundtrack SICK.
Featured on such recordings as Music from the Heart from the Heartland, Candis has been described as possessing “an innate and intuitive sense of musical nuance with a beautiful tone.” Mrs. Badgley Carlson received her Bachelor of Music from Wichita State University under Dr. Suzanne Tirk, and her Master of Music from California State University Northridge under Dr. Julia Heinen.
STEPHEN PAULSON
Bassoon
San Francisco Symphony
SF Conservatory of Music
SF Conservatory of Music
BRIAN MCKEE
Bassoon
YOSAL Artist
Monroe Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Brian McKee is a bassoonist based in Salinas, California, and serves as Program Director for YOSAL (Youth Orchestra Salinas), where he also teaches bassoon and coaches chamber music. Prior to moving to California, he most recently comes from Denton, Texas, where he served as Academic Counselor for Graduate Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music and was a teacher and performer around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He maintains an active performing career and has appeared with several ensembles in Northern California, including the Santa Cruz and Monterey Symphonies, and the choral-orchestral ensemble I Cantori di Carmel. He was also Principal Bassoonist of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra in Louisiana and played bassoon in the Lone Star Wind Orchestra in Dallas, Texas. He has performed in a variety of other ensembles in Texas, Florida, and Arizona, including the McKinney Philharmonic, Richardson Symphony, Palm Beach Symphony, Miami City Ballet, New World Symphony, Arizona Pro Arte Ensemble, and the Verde Valley Sinfonietta. He is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Beta Beta Chapter.
In addition to his work with YOSAL, his recent past teaching engagements include masterclasses and guest artist appearances at Festival de Música Orquestal (FESMO) in Mexico, University of Texas at Arlington, Bocal Majority Double Reed Camp, and Centro Nacional de la Música in Costa Rica. Other recent music festival appearances include the National Music Festival in Chestertown, Maryland, Hot Springs Music Festival in Arkansas, and the Talis Festival and Academy in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. He can be heard on the Grammy-winning album "American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom" (BFM Jazz, Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album - 2019) by John Daversa. He is also heard on "An Open Book: 25 Preludes for Piano and Orchestra" by Jorge Mejia (Sony Music Latin, 2018 Latin Grammy Nominee), as well as "One for All," an album recorded by the Barcelona Clarinet Players and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra (GIA Publications, 2019). He holds performance degrees from the University of Miami (D.M.A.), Arizona State University (M.M.), and University of Oregon (B.M.), and studied bassoon with Gabriel Beavers, Albie Micklich, and Steve Vacchi.
His doctoral essay, "A Pedagogical Exploration of Selected Art Songs by Franz Schubert Transcribed for Bassoon" explores his transcription process of four art songs taken from Franz Schubert’s song cycle, Die Schöne Müllerin, and notes musical similarities paralleling vocal performance and lyrical bassoon playing characteristics.
Monroe Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Brian McKee is a bassoonist based in Salinas, California, and serves as Program Director for YOSAL (Youth Orchestra Salinas), where he also teaches bassoon and coaches chamber music. Prior to moving to California, he most recently comes from Denton, Texas, where he served as Academic Counselor for Graduate Studies at the University of North Texas College of Music and was a teacher and performer around the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. He maintains an active performing career and has appeared with several ensembles in Northern California, including the Santa Cruz and Monterey Symphonies, and the choral-orchestral ensemble I Cantori di Carmel. He was also Principal Bassoonist of the Monroe Symphony Orchestra in Louisiana and played bassoon in the Lone Star Wind Orchestra in Dallas, Texas. He has performed in a variety of other ensembles in Texas, Florida, and Arizona, including the McKinney Philharmonic, Richardson Symphony, Palm Beach Symphony, Miami City Ballet, New World Symphony, Arizona Pro Arte Ensemble, and the Verde Valley Sinfonietta. He is also a member of Pi Kappa Lambda National Music Honor Society, Beta Beta Chapter.
In addition to his work with YOSAL, his recent past teaching engagements include masterclasses and guest artist appearances at Festival de Música Orquestal (FESMO) in Mexico, University of Texas at Arlington, Bocal Majority Double Reed Camp, and Centro Nacional de la Música in Costa Rica. Other recent music festival appearances include the National Music Festival in Chestertown, Maryland, Hot Springs Music Festival in Arkansas, and the Talis Festival and Academy in Saas-Fee, Switzerland. He can be heard on the Grammy-winning album "American Dreamers: Voices of Hope, Music of Freedom" (BFM Jazz, Best Large Ensemble Jazz Album - 2019) by John Daversa. He is also heard on "An Open Book: 25 Preludes for Piano and Orchestra" by Jorge Mejia (Sony Music Latin, 2018 Latin Grammy Nominee), as well as "One for All," an album recorded by the Barcelona Clarinet Players and the Lone Star Wind Orchestra (GIA Publications, 2019). He holds performance degrees from the University of Miami (D.M.A.), Arizona State University (M.M.), and University of Oregon (B.M.), and studied bassoon with Gabriel Beavers, Albie Micklich, and Steve Vacchi.
His doctoral essay, "A Pedagogical Exploration of Selected Art Songs by Franz Schubert Transcribed for Bassoon" explores his transcription process of four art songs taken from Franz Schubert’s song cycle, Die Schöne Müllerin, and notes musical similarities paralleling vocal performance and lyrical bassoon playing characteristics.
JONATHAN RING
San Francisco Symphony
SF Conservatory of Music
Jonathan Ring, Second Horn with the San Francisco Symphony, joined the orchestra in 1991 after holding positions in the Columbus Symphony and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1983 where he was a student of Dale Clevenger. Other major teachers include Robert Fries at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Jerry Peel.
As an active chamber and recording musician, Mr. Ring is a founding member of the GRAMMYTM nominated Bay Brass and a frequent performer on video game and motion picture soundtracks.
He performed at the 1995, 2011 and 2015 International Horn Society Symposiums and has toured as a member of Summit Brass. In 2003 and 2005, Mr. Ring was invited to represent the United States as a member of the “Super World Orchestra” in Japan.
His summer music activities have included the New College Music Festival, the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, the Colorado Philharmonic (NRO) and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Mr. Ring currently serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of music. He is also an accomplished keyboard player and composer, writing in the classical, jazz and pop idioms.
SF Conservatory of Music
Jonathan Ring, Second Horn with the San Francisco Symphony, joined the orchestra in 1991 after holding positions in the Columbus Symphony and the Fort Wayne Philharmonic. He graduated from Northwestern University in 1983 where he was a student of Dale Clevenger. Other major teachers include Robert Fries at the Oberlin College Conservatory of Music and Jerry Peel.
As an active chamber and recording musician, Mr. Ring is a founding member of the GRAMMYTM nominated Bay Brass and a frequent performer on video game and motion picture soundtracks.
He performed at the 1995, 2011 and 2015 International Horn Society Symposiums and has toured as a member of Summit Brass. In 2003 and 2005, Mr. Ring was invited to represent the United States as a member of the “Super World Orchestra” in Japan.
His summer music activities have included the New College Music Festival, the Spoleto Festival of Two Worlds, the Berkshire Music Center at Tanglewood, the Colorado Philharmonic (NRO) and the Grand Teton Music Festival.
Mr. Ring currently serves on the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory of music. He is also an accomplished keyboard player and composer, writing in the classical, jazz and pop idioms.
ELIODORO VALLECILLO
Horn
YOSAL Artist
Latin Billboard Top 20
Eliodoro Vallecillo is a classically trained French hornist, Regional-Mexican Accordionist, Vocalist, and Composer. He was raised in Salinas, California and currently still resides there. During his teenage years, he was featured as a soloist on NPR’s “From the Top” twice and was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke award. His first performance was broadcasted from Pepperdine University in Malibu on NPR radio and his second was televised on PBS from Carnegie Hall in New York. He was invited as a soloist with the Monterey County Pops and was also part of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. He attended reputable summer programs such as the Northwestern Bienen School of Music and Idyllwild Arts. He received a full scholarship to attend the Bob Cole Conservatory of music at Cal State Long Beach, but left after a year to fulfill his 3-album record deal with Universal/Fonovisa as an Accordionist, Vocalist, and Composer.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Horn Performance from San Jose State University and continues his performance career as a freelance horn player, as well as in the Regional-Mexican genre as an Accordionist, Vocalist, and Composer with the band 4to Prestigio. In the Regional-Mexican world of music, he had two of his compositions, which he recorded with his band, make it on the top 20 list of the Latin Billboard charts nation-wide. Eliodoro was nominated at the BMI Latin Music Awards in Los Angeles, California due to the success of those compositions. He was also a recipient of a Premio Lo Nuestro from Univision’s award ceremony “Premios Lo Nuestro '' as Revelacion del Año.
As an Accordionist, Vocalist and Composer, he was invited to perform at the Festival del Sol and the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. He was featured on tv shows on Univision such as Sabado Gigante, Despierta America, and El Gordo y la Flaca and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Regional-Mexican music. Some of these artists are Los Tigres del Norte, Ramon Ayala y Los Bravos del Norte, Grupo Duelo, Calibre 50, Voz de Mando, Banda La Arrolladora, Banda MS, and Banda El Recodo. He has also collaborated with international artists in the Hip-Hop genre such as Lil Rob. Currently he is Brass Specialist & Director of Mariachi Banda at YOSAL, a non-profit music program in the heart of East Salinas. As a Teaching Artist enjoys giving back to his community through music.
Latin Billboard Top 20
Eliodoro Vallecillo is a classically trained French hornist, Regional-Mexican Accordionist, Vocalist, and Composer. He was raised in Salinas, California and currently still resides there. During his teenage years, he was featured as a soloist on NPR’s “From the Top” twice and was the recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke award. His first performance was broadcasted from Pepperdine University in Malibu on NPR radio and his second was televised on PBS from Carnegie Hall in New York. He was invited as a soloist with the Monterey County Pops and was also part of the San Francisco Symphony Youth Orchestra. He attended reputable summer programs such as the Northwestern Bienen School of Music and Idyllwild Arts. He received a full scholarship to attend the Bob Cole Conservatory of music at Cal State Long Beach, but left after a year to fulfill his 3-album record deal with Universal/Fonovisa as an Accordionist, Vocalist, and Composer.
He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Horn Performance from San Jose State University and continues his performance career as a freelance horn player, as well as in the Regional-Mexican genre as an Accordionist, Vocalist, and Composer with the band 4to Prestigio. In the Regional-Mexican world of music, he had two of his compositions, which he recorded with his band, make it on the top 20 list of the Latin Billboard charts nation-wide. Eliodoro was nominated at the BMI Latin Music Awards in Los Angeles, California due to the success of those compositions. He was also a recipient of a Premio Lo Nuestro from Univision’s award ceremony “Premios Lo Nuestro '' as Revelacion del Año.
As an Accordionist, Vocalist and Composer, he was invited to perform at the Festival del Sol and the McEnery Convention Center in San Jose, California. He was featured on tv shows on Univision such as Sabado Gigante, Despierta America, and El Gordo y la Flaca and has shared the stage with some of the biggest names in Regional-Mexican music. Some of these artists are Los Tigres del Norte, Ramon Ayala y Los Bravos del Norte, Grupo Duelo, Calibre 50, Voz de Mando, Banda La Arrolladora, Banda MS, and Banda El Recodo. He has also collaborated with international artists in the Hip-Hop genre such as Lil Rob. Currently he is Brass Specialist & Director of Mariachi Banda at YOSAL, a non-profit music program in the heart of East Salinas. As a Teaching Artist enjoys giving back to his community through music.
MARK INOUYE
Trumpet
San Francisco Symphony
Mark Inouye is one of a very select group of trumpeters equally at home in the
worlds of jazz and classical music and is currently the principal trumpeter of the
San Francisco Symphony.
After attending the University of California at Davis for two years as a civil
engineering major, he transferred to the Juilliard School. He toured the United
States with Toccatas and Flourishes, the nationally acclaimed organ and trumpet
duo. He was a member of the Empire Brass Quintet and toured the United States,
Europe, Asia, and Canada. He was a member of the New World Symphony and
Principal Trumpet with the Charleston Symphony before joining the San Francisco
Symphony in 1999. He served as Principal Trumpet with the Houston Symphony
from 2004-2006. He has also been a guest principal trumpet with the New York
Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony.
Mr. Inouye has been featured as a soloist with the SFS in Copland’s Quiet City,
Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in 2017 and 2021, J.S. Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen
Landen (with soprano Carolyn Sampson), and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1
in C minor on two occasions (with Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Yuja Wang). In July
2015, he appeared as a classical soloist on the 1st half, and led the orchestra as a
jazz soloist on the 2nd half. Mr. Inouye has been a soloist with the New World
Symphony on three occasions, performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, the Tomasi
Trumpet Concerto, and the Brandt Concertpiece No. 1. He performed the Tartini
Violin Concerto, arranged for trumpet, with the Houston Symphony. He also
appeared as soloist in Wynton Marsalis’s video production Marsalis on Music, which
aired in Europe and North America. He was a soloist with the Tanglewood Wind
Ensemble under the direction of Seiji Ozawa and has appeared as a soloist on the
Disney Channel in a concert featuring the WHO at Carnegie Hall. He was a founding
member of the Juilliard Jazz Sextet at Lincoln Center and a guest performer at the
Hollywood Bowl in the Playboy Jazz Festival.
For more on Mark Inouye, visit his website at: inouyejazz.com
Mark Inouye is one of a very select group of trumpeters equally at home in the
worlds of jazz and classical music and is currently the principal trumpeter of the
San Francisco Symphony.
After attending the University of California at Davis for two years as a civil
engineering major, he transferred to the Juilliard School. He toured the United
States with Toccatas and Flourishes, the nationally acclaimed organ and trumpet
duo. He was a member of the Empire Brass Quintet and toured the United States,
Europe, Asia, and Canada. He was a member of the New World Symphony and
Principal Trumpet with the Charleston Symphony before joining the San Francisco
Symphony in 1999. He served as Principal Trumpet with the Houston Symphony
from 2004-2006. He has also been a guest principal trumpet with the New York
Philharmonic and the Chicago Symphony.
Mr. Inouye has been featured as a soloist with the SFS in Copland’s Quiet City,
Haydn’s Trumpet Concerto in 2017 and 2021, J.S. Bach’s Jauchzet Gott in allen
Landen (with soprano Carolyn Sampson), and Shostakovich’s Piano Concerto No. 1
in C minor on two occasions (with Jean-Yves Thibaudet and Yuja Wang). In July
2015, he appeared as a classical soloist on the 1st half, and led the orchestra as a
jazz soloist on the 2nd half. Mr. Inouye has been a soloist with the New World
Symphony on three occasions, performing the Haydn Trumpet Concerto, the Tomasi
Trumpet Concerto, and the Brandt Concertpiece No. 1. He performed the Tartini
Violin Concerto, arranged for trumpet, with the Houston Symphony. He also
appeared as soloist in Wynton Marsalis’s video production Marsalis on Music, which
aired in Europe and North America. He was a soloist with the Tanglewood Wind
Ensemble under the direction of Seiji Ozawa and has appeared as a soloist on the
Disney Channel in a concert featuring the WHO at Carnegie Hall. He was a founding
member of the Juilliard Jazz Sextet at Lincoln Center and a guest performer at the
Hollywood Bowl in the Playboy Jazz Festival.
For more on Mark Inouye, visit his website at: inouyejazz.com
DAVID BURKHARDT
Trumpet
San Francisco Conservatory of Music
David Burkhart is an honors graduate of Yale, where he received his B.A. and M.M degrees. A student of Adolph Herseth, Arnold Jacobs, Robert Nagel, William Vacchiano, and Charles Geyer, Burkhart has served as principal trumpet of the Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, and Jerusalem Symphonies as well as the Santa Fe Opera, and as acting principal of the San Francisco Opera and San Diego Symphony.
Prior to joining the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory, he taught at Stanford, San Jose State, and the Rubin Academy, Jerusalem. A founding member of the Grammy-nominated Bay Brass, Burkhart performs with many Bay Area groups, including the San Francisco Opera, Ballet, and Symphony.
His recordings include a dozen CDs and “Keeping Score: Mahler” with the SF Symphony, “Symphony at the Opera” with the SF Opera, “The Star Wars Trilogy” with John Williams, and Robert Erickson’s “Night Music” with the Arch Ensemble.
Burkhart is also an award-winning author and historian. His most recent book, The Anchor Brewing Story, is an insider’s guide to the brewery and San Francisco’s original Anchor Steam Beer.
David Burkhart is an honors graduate of Yale, where he received his B.A. and M.M degrees. A student of Adolph Herseth, Arnold Jacobs, Robert Nagel, William Vacchiano, and Charles Geyer, Burkhart has served as principal trumpet of the Sacramento, Oakland, San Jose, and Jerusalem Symphonies as well as the Santa Fe Opera, and as acting principal of the San Francisco Opera and San Diego Symphony.
Prior to joining the faculty of the San Francisco Conservatory, he taught at Stanford, San Jose State, and the Rubin Academy, Jerusalem. A founding member of the Grammy-nominated Bay Brass, Burkhart performs with many Bay Area groups, including the San Francisco Opera, Ballet, and Symphony.
His recordings include a dozen CDs and “Keeping Score: Mahler” with the SF Symphony, “Symphony at the Opera” with the SF Opera, “The Star Wars Trilogy” with John Williams, and Robert Erickson’s “Night Music” with the Arch Ensemble.
Burkhart is also an award-winning author and historian. His most recent book, The Anchor Brewing Story, is an insider’s guide to the brewery and San Francisco’s original Anchor Steam Beer.
ALEC BLAZEK
Trumpet
Nashville Symphony
Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Alec Blazek joined the Nashville Symphony as 2nd Trumpet in 2016. Since arriving in Nashville, he has become a regular in the local recording and music scenes, working with the Blair Brass Quintet, Nashville Concerto Orchestra, Gateway Chamber Orchestra and more. Prior to joining the NSO, Alec performed regularly with the Terre Haute Symphony, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, New Mexico Philharmonic, Opera Southwest, and as guest principal of the Santa Fe Symphony. He has performed on national tours with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, the Blue Knights, and Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps. Alec is also an active educator and clinician, working with students of all ages across Middle Tennessee, performing educational shows with the NSO Brass Quintet, and in the summers teaching brass with the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps.
Blazek studied at Indiana University and the University of New Mexico. His primary teachers include John Marchiando, Michael Ellzey, and John Rommel. He has attended the National Orchestral Institute, the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute, and Aspen Music Festival, and has had the opportunity to work with many great artists, including Ray Mase, Kevin Cobb, Mark Inouye, Tom Hooten, and Chris Martin. When not performing or practicing, he enjoys going on scenic bike rides, reading, cooking, playing chess, and exploring the local food scene.
Originally from Clovis, New Mexico, Alec Blazek joined the Nashville Symphony as 2nd Trumpet in 2016. Since arriving in Nashville, he has become a regular in the local recording and music scenes, working with the Blair Brass Quintet, Nashville Concerto Orchestra, Gateway Chamber Orchestra and more. Prior to joining the NSO, Alec performed regularly with the Terre Haute Symphony, Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, New Mexico Philharmonic, Opera Southwest, and as guest principal of the Santa Fe Symphony. He has performed on national tours with the New York Gilbert and Sullivan Players, the Blue Knights, and Carolina Crown Drum & Bugle Corps. Alec is also an active educator and clinician, working with students of all ages across Middle Tennessee, performing educational shows with the NSO Brass Quintet, and in the summers teaching brass with the Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps.
Blazek studied at Indiana University and the University of New Mexico. His primary teachers include John Marchiando, Michael Ellzey, and John Rommel. He has attended the National Orchestral Institute, the Rafael Mendez Brass Institute, and Aspen Music Festival, and has had the opportunity to work with many great artists, including Ray Mase, Kevin Cobb, Mark Inouye, Tom Hooten, and Chris Martin. When not performing or practicing, he enjoys going on scenic bike rides, reading, cooking, playing chess, and exploring the local food scene.
JODEE DAVIS
Trombone
University of Missouri - Kansas City Conservatory
JoDee Davis is professor of trombone at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
She is a member of the Trilogy Brass Trio and the Crossroads Trombone Quartet. Davis
performs regularly as an extra with the Kansas City Symphony.
Davis has served on the faculties of Kent State University and Eastern Washington University.
Formerly principal trombone of the Spokane Symphony and second trombone of the Santa Fe
Opera, she has performed with a number of other orchestras including the Akron, Canton, and
Youngstown Symphony Orchestras in Ohio, and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Charleston,
SC, and Spoleto, Italy.
She has presented solo recitals and master classes throughout the United States and has
performed and given clinics at the International Trombone Festival, the Eastern Trombone
Workshop (now the American Trombone Workshop); the Midwest Clinic; and the Ohio, Texas,
Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois Music Educators Conferences. She was a member of the
highly acclaimed trombone quartet PRISMA, which performed at the first International Women’s
Brass Conference in St. Louis, the Arizona Low Brass Symposium, and International Trombone
Festivals in Cleveland, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Feldkirch, Germany. Davis has served as an
adjudicator in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and has presented a recital and master classes at the Musik Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen.
Davis’ students hold university positions throughout the United States and in public and private schools throughout the country. The UMKC Trombone Ensemble, under Davis's direction, has
performed to high acclaim.
Davis received the UMKC Conservatory’s Muriel McBrien Kauffman Excellence in Teaching
Award in 2015 and the Kauffman Excellence in Service Award in 2021. She has two solo recordings on the Albany Records label: In the Moment (2001), and The Voices of Air (2020).
Davis holds the Doctor of Music in brass literature and performance from Indiana University,
and the Master of Music in trombone performance and the Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Northern Iowa.
JoDee Davis is professor of trombone at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory.
She is a member of the Trilogy Brass Trio and the Crossroads Trombone Quartet. Davis
performs regularly as an extra with the Kansas City Symphony.
Davis has served on the faculties of Kent State University and Eastern Washington University.
Formerly principal trombone of the Spokane Symphony and second trombone of the Santa Fe
Opera, she has performed with a number of other orchestras including the Akron, Canton, and
Youngstown Symphony Orchestras in Ohio, and the Spoleto Festival Orchestra in Charleston,
SC, and Spoleto, Italy.
She has presented solo recitals and master classes throughout the United States and has
performed and given clinics at the International Trombone Festival, the Eastern Trombone
Workshop (now the American Trombone Workshop); the Midwest Clinic; and the Ohio, Texas,
Kansas, Missouri, Iowa and Illinois Music Educators Conferences. She was a member of the
highly acclaimed trombone quartet PRISMA, which performed at the first International Women’s
Brass Conference in St. Louis, the Arizona Low Brass Symposium, and International Trombone
Festivals in Cleveland, Minneapolis, Las Vegas and Feldkirch, Germany. Davis has served as an
adjudicator in the prestigious Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and has presented a recital and master classes at the Musik Staatliche Hochschule für Musik Trossingen.
Davis’ students hold university positions throughout the United States and in public and private schools throughout the country. The UMKC Trombone Ensemble, under Davis's direction, has
performed to high acclaim.
Davis received the UMKC Conservatory’s Muriel McBrien Kauffman Excellence in Teaching
Award in 2015 and the Kauffman Excellence in Service Award in 2021. She has two solo recordings on the Albany Records label: In the Moment (2001), and The Voices of Air (2020).
Davis holds the Doctor of Music in brass literature and performance from Indiana University,
and the Master of Music in trombone performance and the Bachelor of Music in music education from the University of Northern Iowa.
EMMA BARTLETT
Percussion
Phoenix Symphony
Singapore Symphony
Emma holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Indiana University, and a Master of Music Performance degree from The Juilliard School - primary studies in percussion, with secondary studies in piano. She has performed with major symphony orchestras such as the Phoenix Symphony and the Singapore Symphony, and in concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Mariinsky Theatre (Russia), Esterhazy Palace (Austria), and many others. She can be heard on Evelyn Glennie's CD Oriental Landscapes, as well as other recordings on the BIS label. Emma is a Sabian clinician and has been teaching for over 30 years at the elementary, high school and college level. She currently teaches privately on percussion, piano, music theory and ear training; is Principal Timpanist with I Cantori; and is on the Board of Directors for the Music Teachers’ Association of California Monterey Branch.
Singapore Symphony
Emma holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree from Indiana University, and a Master of Music Performance degree from The Juilliard School - primary studies in percussion, with secondary studies in piano. She has performed with major symphony orchestras such as the Phoenix Symphony and the Singapore Symphony, and in concert halls around the world, including Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Mariinsky Theatre (Russia), Esterhazy Palace (Austria), and many others. She can be heard on Evelyn Glennie's CD Oriental Landscapes, as well as other recordings on the BIS label. Emma is a Sabian clinician and has been teaching for over 30 years at the elementary, high school and college level. She currently teaches privately on percussion, piano, music theory and ear training; is Principal Timpanist with I Cantori; and is on the Board of Directors for the Music Teachers’ Association of California Monterey Branch.
ERICH RIEPPEL
Percussion
Minnesota Orchestra
Erich Rieppel was appointed Principal Timpani of the Minnesota Orchestra in the Fall of 2018. Prior to that, he held the same title at New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas in Miami Beach, Florida. Rieppel has performed as Principal Timpanist with the Seoul Philharmonic, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and New Jersey Symphony. Since 2013, he has played timpani and percussion with the Lakes Area Music Festival in northern Minnesota. At age 19, during a performance with the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, his playing caught the ears of a critic from the New York Times. “… and the timpanist, Erich Rieppel, jousted mightily with Mr. Watts in the boisterous finale.” In a performance of Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Pioneer Press noted “And timpanist Erich Rieppel seized the many opportunities to send hearts racing that Dvorak afforded him.”
Rieppel is on faculty at OAcademy through the Orchestra of the Americas. He has given masterclasses at the Seoul Performing Arts Center, Indiana University, the University of Minnesota, University of Hawaii, National Youth Orchestra of the USA, and the Ibera Academy in Medellin, Colombia, the University of Panama, the Hawaii Youth Symphony and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony. In February of 2019 at the New World Center, he performed with the 507 Collective, a piano/percussion quartet that includes his father, Dr. Daniel Rieppel.
Believing in being a multi-faceted musician, Rieppel has experience in arts administration, college teaching, music librarianship, composition and conducting. He made his professional conducting debut with the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra in 2013 and returned in 2022 to conduct with his father performing on piano. In the 2014-15 season, he was principal conductor of the Indiana Youth Musicians and made his debut with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (IN) the same year. He also led performances with the self-founded Bloomington Sinfonietta in Bloomington, Indiana.
Erich was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Marshall, Minnesota. He attended Indiana University for his bachelor’s with a minor in conducting and master’s degrees where he studied a variety of percussion with John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Steve Houghton, and Michael Spiro. He has also studied with David Herbert, Shannon Wood, Ed Stephan, Tom Freer and Josef Gumpinger of the Vienna Radio Symphony. He spent one summer at the Aspen Music Festival and three winters at the New York String Orchestra Seminar. Rieppel proudly endorses Freer Percussion Products and Pearl/Adams percussion. In his free time, Erich plays hockey.
Erich Rieppel was appointed Principal Timpani of the Minnesota Orchestra in the Fall of 2018. Prior to that, he held the same title at New World Symphony under Michael Tilson Thomas in Miami Beach, Florida. Rieppel has performed as Principal Timpanist with the Seoul Philharmonic, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Seattle Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and New Jersey Symphony. Since 2013, he has played timpani and percussion with the Lakes Area Music Festival in northern Minnesota. At age 19, during a performance with the New York String Orchestra at Carnegie Hall, his playing caught the ears of a critic from the New York Times. “… and the timpanist, Erich Rieppel, jousted mightily with Mr. Watts in the boisterous finale.” In a performance of Dvorak’s Eighth Symphony with the Minnesota Orchestra, the Pioneer Press noted “And timpanist Erich Rieppel seized the many opportunities to send hearts racing that Dvorak afforded him.”
Rieppel is on faculty at OAcademy through the Orchestra of the Americas. He has given masterclasses at the Seoul Performing Arts Center, Indiana University, the University of Minnesota, University of Hawaii, National Youth Orchestra of the USA, and the Ibera Academy in Medellin, Colombia, the University of Panama, the Hawaii Youth Symphony and the Greater Twin Cities Youth Symphony. In February of 2019 at the New World Center, he performed with the 507 Collective, a piano/percussion quartet that includes his father, Dr. Daniel Rieppel.
Believing in being a multi-faceted musician, Rieppel has experience in arts administration, college teaching, music librarianship, composition and conducting. He made his professional conducting debut with the Southwest Minnesota Orchestra in 2013 and returned in 2022 to conduct with his father performing on piano. In the 2014-15 season, he was principal conductor of the Indiana Youth Musicians and made his debut with the Columbus Symphony Orchestra (IN) the same year. He also led performances with the self-founded Bloomington Sinfonietta in Bloomington, Indiana.
Erich was born in Minneapolis and grew up in Marshall, Minnesota. He attended Indiana University for his bachelor’s with a minor in conducting and master’s degrees where he studied a variety of percussion with John Tafoya, Kevin Bobo, Steve Houghton, and Michael Spiro. He has also studied with David Herbert, Shannon Wood, Ed Stephan, Tom Freer and Josef Gumpinger of the Vienna Radio Symphony. He spent one summer at the Aspen Music Festival and three winters at the New York String Orchestra Seminar. Rieppel proudly endorses Freer Percussion Products and Pearl/Adams percussion. In his free time, Erich plays hockey.
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