classical tahoe

orchestra musicians

Violin

Laura Hamilton

Artistic Director and Concertmaster

Currently a member of: Classical Tahoe (Concertmaster since festival inception), Festival Orchestra NAPA (Concertmaster), CityMusic Cleveland (Concertmaster)
Previously a member of: Metropolitan Opera (Principal Associate Concertmaster, Acting Concertmaster), Chicago Symphony, Sydney Opera House (Concertmaster)
Additional career highlights: Soloist with the Chicago Symphony; concerts as Guest Concertmaster with the Seattle Symphony, American Symphony Orchestra, Welsh National Opera, and Adelaide Symphony (Australia); performances at Marlboro, Manchester, and Bard Music Festivals, as well as festivals in Norway and Greece; Tononi Trio
Teaches at: New York University

Concertmaster Laura Hamilton’s appearance and leadership are generously supported by Steven and Florence Goldby.

Nathan Cole

Concertmaster

Currently a member of: Los Angeles Philharmonic (First Associate Concertmaster)
Previously a member of: Chicago Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra (Principal Second Violin)
Additional career highlights: Soloist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Music Director of the Chamber Music Festival of Lexington
Teaches at: Colburn Conservatory

Nathan Cole’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Thomas Yamamoto and Marietta Wu. 

Maria Schleuning

Principal Second Violin

Currently a member of: Dallas Symphony Orchestra (Don and Norma Stone chair)
Additional career highlights: Artistic Director of the Grammy-nominated Voices of Change Modern Music Ensemble; Soloist with the Dallas Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Seattle Symphony, and West Virginia Symphony, among others; chamber music performances at New York’s Alice Tully Hall, Merkin Hall, and Avery Fisher Hall, among others; numerous world premieres, including works written specifically for her by Augusta Read Thomas and David Amram
Teaches at: University of North Texas

Filimonov

Gennady Filimonov

Violin

Currently a member of: Seattle Symphony
Previously a member of: Odeon Quartet (founding member)
Additional career highlights: Author and contributing writer to The Strad magazine, owner of Filimonov Fine Violins, appraiser of fine instruments and bows

Annamae Goldstein

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony
Additional career highlights: Performances at Tanglewood, Schleswig-Holstein, Bowdoin, Boulder, Snow Pond, OK Mozart, and Wyndham Music Festivals; chamber music with the Lyric Chamber Music Society of NY, Met Chamber Ensemble, Bridgehampton Chamber Music, Tahoe String Quartet, and IRIS Quartet

Rachel Golub

Violin

Currently a member of: Moulin Rouge! on Broadway, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, X Quartet, Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Previously a member of: Amayo and Friends, Matilda and Hamilton on Broadway
Additional career highlights: Tours with Adele, Bruce Springsteen, and Trey Anastasio; recordings with Sharon Jones, Antibalas, and James Taylor; featured artist on violin, viola, and voice on David Byrne’s Contemporary Color

Erin Hall

Erin Hall

Violin

Currently a member of: Nashville Symphony (Acting Concertmaster)
Teaches at: Vanderbilt University 

Kristi Helberg

Violin

Currently a member of: The Knights, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York City Ballet Orchestra, Silk Road Ensemble, and Kvasova Folk Singing Club
Additional career highlights: Performances at Caramoor, Ravinia, Dresden, Salzburg, Bonn, and Tanglewood Festivals; recipient of an Innovation Fund grant from The Knights for a project on music and incarceration

Simon James

Violin

Currently a member of: Australian World Orchestra
Previously a member of: Seattle Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Concertmaster), Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony
Teaches at: San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Daniel Khalikov

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of New York (Concertmaster)
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the National Arts Centre Orchestra, Brighton Philharmonic, Uzbekistan National Symphony Orchestra, Turkey’s BASSO Orchestra, and Metropolitan Chamber Ensemble; performances at Tanglewood, Norfolk Chamber Music, Santa Fe, BargeMusic, Music Mountain, and Verbier Festivals

Brian Krinke

Violin

Currently a member of: Grand Junction Symphony (Concertmaster)
Previously a member of: Buffalo Philharmonic (Associate Concertmaster)
Teaches at: Colorado Mesa University

Jeehae Lee

Jeehae Lee

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Additional career highlights: concerts with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, Schleswig-Holstein Musik Festival Orchestra, and MET Chamber Ensemble, among others; chamber performances at Alice Tully Hall and Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall; solo appearances at Hoam Art Hall in Seoul and Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall

Jeehae Lee’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by KyungAe Bae and Ralph Miller.

Ruth Lenz

Violin

Currently a member of: Reno Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra (Concertmaster)
Additional career highlights: Concerts at Nevada Chamber Music, La Musica, and Sunriver Festivals, as well as with the Telluride Chamber Players and at Barth Kammermusiktage in Germany and Mayshad Festival in Morocco

Ruth Lenz’ appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Charolette and Richard McConnell. 

Laura Lutzke

Violin

Currently a member of: American Contemporary Music Ensemble, the Knights, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Ensemble LPR, and Wordless Music Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Concerts at Open Chamber Music at Prussia Cove in the UK, Caramoor International Music Festival, SXSW, and Auckland Arts Festival

Yurika Mok

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: St. Louis Symphony

sim

Catherine Sim

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Founding member of International Sejong Soloists; debut at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall; numerous solo performances throughout the United States and Asia; extensive recording credits; concerts at Aspen and Ravinia Festivals, as well as at Santory Hall in Tokyo and Seoul Arts Center

Kay Stern

Kay Stern

Violin

Currently a member of: San Francisco Opera Orchestra (Concertmaster)
Previously a member of: Lark Quartet
Teaches at: San Francisco Conservatory of Music

Kay Stern’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Janie and Donny Friend

Sarah Vonsattel

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: Detroit Symphony Orchestra, Colorado Symphony
Additional career highlights: Founding member of Verklärte Quartet, Fischoff Competition Grand Prize Winners; chamber music performances at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall, Parlance Chamber Concerts, the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, Bargemusic; concerto appearances with Symphoria of Syracuse, the Coastal Symphony of Georgia, and the musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, among others

Sarah Vonsattel’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Madylon and Dean Meiling.

Xiao-Dong Wang

Violin

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Soloist with the China Philharmonic, London Mozart Players, Royal Philharmonic, Shanghai Symphony, and Sydney Opera Orchestra; concerts at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, and Ravinia Festival, among others

Diego de la Cruz Iwadare

Violin Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Hometown: San Luis Potosí, Mexico
Ensembles: SFCM orchestra, fellowship SF Chamber Orchestra
Education: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Arts center of San Luis
Mentors: Simon James, Olga Goryachikh

Jennifer Redondas

Violin Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Hometown: Havana, Cuba
Ensembles: SFCM Symphony Orchestra, SFCM Baroque Ensemble, Havana Lyceum Orchestra, National Symphony Orchestra of Cuba
Education: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, New World School of the Arts
Mentors: Kay Stern, Ian Swensen, Daniel Andai, Anne Chicheportiche, Carmen Amador

Viola

Désirée Elsevier

Principal Viola

Previously a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Dallas Symphony, Dallas Opera, Austin Symphony, Voices of Change Dallas, and Orchestra di San Carlo in Naples, Italy; soloist with the Western NY Chamber Orchestra and Greeley Philharmonic Orchestra; international concerts with the World Orchestra for Peace

Désirée Elsevier’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Florence and Steven Goldby. 

Milan Milisavljević

Principal Viola

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Collaborations with the Guarneri, Mendelssohn, St. Petersburg, and Brentano String Quartets; concerts with the Munich Chamber Orchestra, Aspen Sinfonia, and Belgrade Philharmonic; performances at festivals including Marlboro, Grand Teton, Cascade Head, and Verbier
Teaches at: New York University

Sarah Adams

Viola

Currently a member of: Riverside Symphony (Principal), American Ballet Theater (Acting Principal), NYC Opera (Acting Principal), Windham Chamber Orchestra (Principal), Philharmonia Orchestra of NY (Acting Principal), Little Orchestra Society, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Cortlandt String Quartet
Previously a member of: Brooklyn Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal), Houston Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Principal), American Symphony Orchestra (Acting Principal), and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, among others
Additional career highlights: Concerts with New York City Ballet Orchestra, the New York Philharmonic, and the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, among others; founding member of Atrikk Ensemble
Teaches at: Columbia University

Katarzyna Bryla-Weiss

Viola

Currently a member of: San Francisco Symphony
Previously a member of: Orchestra of St. Luke’s, New York City Ballet Orchestra, New York Pops
Additional career highlights: Performances at Caramoor Music Festival, Music@Menlo, Cactus Pear Music Festival, Aspen Music Festival, Bach Dancing and Dynamite, Lisker Music Foundation, Singapore Sun Music Festival, and Las Palmas Music Festival, among others

Scott Hosfeld

Viola

Currently a member of: Malibu Coast String Quartet
Additional career highlights: Principal Conductor of Icicle Creek Chamber Orchestra, the Kairos Festival Orchestra, the Dorian Festival Orchestra, and the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival Orchestra; Music Director and Conductor for the Idyllwild Arts Academy Orchestras; Director of Chamber Music Studies at Idyllwild Arts Academy; Music Director of Malibu Concerts on the Bluffs Music Festival
Teaches at: Montgomery Arts House for Music and Architecture

Jill Jaffe

Viola

Currently a member of: Atlantic Classical Orchestra, Music Sacra, South Florida Symphony Orchestra (Principal), Crescent String Quartet
Previously a member of: New York City Ballet Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, American Composers Orchestra, Encores! at City Center (Principal), Oklahoma Symphony (Principal)
Additional career highlights: Artistic Director of Friends of Classical Music @ Arts on the Lake; Founder and Artistic Director of the Annual NY String Quartet Marathon; recordings and concerts with Evan Lurie, Roberto Benigini, John Zorn, Aretha Franklin, Whitney Houston, and Barbra Streisand, among others

Katie Kadarauch

Viola

Currently a member of: San Francisco Symphony (Assistant Principal Viola)
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the East Coast Chamber Orchestra and at Marlboro Music Festival; founding member of the award-winning Janaki String Trio; recordings for numerous film scores, including Avatar, Pirates of the Caribbean 3, and Get Smart

Katie Kadarauch’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Jerome Guillen & Jeremy Gallaher.

Aurélien Fort Pederzoli

Viola

Currently a member of: Black Oak Ensemble
Previously a member of: Lyric Opera of Chicago
Additional career highlights: Concerts with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and Orchestra of St. Luke’s
Teaches at: New Music School

Edwardo Rios

Viola Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Recent graduate of: University of North Texas
Currently a member of: Abilene Philharmonic
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Grant Park Orchestra, Richardson Symphony, Waco Symphony, and Las Colinas Symphony; Winner and Artist in Residence at the American Festival for the Arts; artist residency at and soloist with the National Repertory Orchestra
Teaches at: New Spain Summer Music Camp, Ad Astra Music Festival, and the Virtuosi String Camp

Cello

Winona Zelenka

Principal Cello

Currently a member of: Toronto Symphony Orchestra (Assistant Principal Cello)
Previously a member of: Liverpool Philharmonic, Hallé Orchestra, Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, Orchestra of the National Ballet of Canada
Additional career highlights: Founding member of Trio Arkel, now in its tenth season

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

David Calhoun

Cello

Currently a member of: South Florida Symphony Orchestra (Principal), Brevard Symphony Orchestra (Principal), Punta Gorda Symphony (Principal), Villages Philharmonic (Principal) Previously a member of: American Symphony, American Ballet Theater, Brooklyn Philharmonic, Omni Ensemble, SONYC, New York Virtuosi
Additional career highlights: Soloist with the Villages Philharmonic, 15 year residency with Orion Music at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

Jason Lippmann

Cello

Currently a member of: Los Angeles Philharmonic
Previously a member of: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Frequent participant in LA Phil’s Chamber Music Society and Green Umbrella new music series; concerts with the Baltimore Symphony, Cincinnati Symphony and Opera, American Ballet Theater, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

Ted Nelson

Cello

Currently a member of: Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Previously a member of: Kansas City Symphony, Toledo Symphony
Additional career highlights: Vice President of Artistic Planning and Operations at Dayton Performing Arts Alliance, Executive Director of concert:nova

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

Lanny Paykin

Cello

Currently a member of: American Composers’ Orchestra, Westchester Philharmonic
Previously a member of: Brooklyn Philharmonic
Additional career highlights: Performances with the New York City Ballet Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, New York City Opera (Principal), Long Island Philharmonic, and American Symphony Orchestra

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

Wendy Sutter

Cello

Career highlights: Concerts with the New York Philharmonic; soloist with the Brussels Philharmonic, Hong Kong Philharmonic, Dallas Symphony, Seattle Symphony, Residentie Orchestra, North Netherlands Symphony Orchestra, and Shanghai Symphony; performances at Marlboro, Aspen, Tanglewood, Mostly Mozart, Luminato, Spoleto, and Ravinia Festivals, as well as with Bang-on-a-Can All-Stars and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and at the Library of Congress

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

Lindsey Sharpe

Cello Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Recent graduate of: Rice University, the University of Michigan
Currently a member of: Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Chicago Sinfonietta
Career highlights: Concerts with the Grant Park Orchestra, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic, Philly Pops, Music of the Baroque, Lyric Opera of CHicago (Guest Principal), Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, New World Symphony, and National Repertory Orchestra, among others
Teaches at: Merit School of Music, Chicago Symphony Youth Orchestra program

The Classical Tahoe Cello Section is sponsored by Marna Broida.

Bass

Jeremy McCoy

Principal Bass

Previously a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (Assistant Principal), National Arts Centre Orchestra (Canada), Sequitur, Ensemble Sospesso, Speculum Musicae
Additional career highlights: Concerts at festivals including Marlboro, Banff, Kneisel Hall, Rockport, Mostly Mozart, Grand Tetons, and Ottawa Chamberfest
Teaches at: Manhattan School of Music, Bard College Conservatory of Music, Cali School of Music at Montclair State University, Bowdoin International Music Festival

Christopher Johnson Bass

Christopher Johnson

Bass

Currently a member of: Sphinx Virtuosi, Sphinx Symphony Orchestra, New Haven Symphony Orchestra, Rootstock Republic, Allentown Symphony Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of NY (Principal), Re-Collective Orchestra
Previously a member of: Philharmonic Orchestra of the Americas (Principal), Brockton Symphony Orchestra (Principal), Reading Symphony Orchestra

Ha Young Jung

Bass

Currently a member of: New Jersey Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: Carnegie Hall Ensemble Connect, London Symphony Orchestra, English National Opera
Additional career highlights: Concerts with A Far Cry, Chineke! Orchestra, Jupiter Symphony Chamber Players, and the New York Philharmonic; performances at Bergen International Festival in Norway, Eilat International Festival in Israel, Hardanger International Music Festival in Norway, and Wimbledon International Chamber Music Festival in London

Ha Young Jung’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Jonathan Lei and Minmyo Kim.

Daniel Krekeler

Daniel Krekeler

Bass

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: Minnesota Orchestra, New Haven Symphony, Binghamton Symphony Orchestra
Teaches at: Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College

John Pellegrino

Bass

Currently a member of: Columbus Symphony (Assistant Principal), ProMusica Chamber Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: New Orleans Symphony Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Artistic Director of Music on the Hill
Teaches at: Ohio State University, Capital University

Flute & Piccolo

Érik Gratton

Principal Flute

Currently a member of: ​​Nashville Symphony (Principal)
Previously a member of: Metropolitan Opera (Principal)

Érik Gratton’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Sandra Cath and David Contis

Erin James

Erin James

Flute

Currently a member of: Northwest Sinfonia Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Regular performances with Seattle Symphony, Seattle Opera, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Mostly Mozart Festival Orchestra, Melbourne Symphony, and Victoria State Opera Orchestra

Sebastian Brea Perez

Flute Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Recent graduate of: Cleveland Institute of Music
Career highlights: Concerts with the New World Symphony and at the Cleveland Museum of Art

Oboe & English horn

Nicholas Stovall

Principal Oboe

Currently a member of: National Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Teaches at: Peabody Institute of Johns Hopkins University

Victoria Chung

Oboe

Currently a member of: Richmond Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: New World Symphony
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the London Symphony Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Vancouver Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Florida Orchestra, and Sejong Soloists
Teaches at: University of Richmond

Aaron Hill

Oboe

Currently a member of: Street Symphony Los Angeles (Solo Oboe)
Previously a member of: Wintergreen Music Festival (Principal)
Teaches at: University of Nevada, Reno

John Upton

Oboe and English Horn

Previously a member of: The Florida Orchestra (Principal), New World Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Performances with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, New York Philharmonic, St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and National Arts Centre Orchestra
Teaches at: Montclair State University

Clarinet & Bass Clarinet

Daniel Gilbert

Principal Clarinet

Currently a member of: CityMusic Cleveland (Principal clarinet)
Previously a member of: Cleveland Orchestra
Teaches at: University of Michigan

Daniel Gilbert is generously sponsored by Susan Pridmore and Dr. Myles Riner

Ixi Chen

Clarinet

Currently a member of: Cincinnati Symphony
Additional career highlights: Concerts with concert:nova and Philharmonie der Nationen; performances at Munich ARD, Aspen, Tanglewood, Evian, Schleswig-Holstein, Rheingau, Jerusalem International, Thessoloniki, and Saint Petersburg White Nights Festivals; a Buffet Crampon and D’Addario artist
Teaches at: University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music

Ixi Chen’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Mountain Workspace.

Karl Busch

Bass Clarinet

Currently a member of: Reno Philharmonic, Reno Chamber Orchestra, Reno Jazz Orchestra
Previously a member of: Madison Symphony Orchestra, Dubuque Symphony Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Performances with Kurt Elling, Johnny Mathis, Dianne Schuur, Ernie Watts, The Temptations, The Four Tops; national Broadway tours of Chicago, Beautiful The Carole King Musical, Motown, Ain’t Too Proud
Teaches at: University of Nevada, Reno

Karl Busch’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Charlotte and Dick McConnell.

Bassoon & Contrabassoon

Whitney Crockett

Principal Bassoon

Currently a member of: La Philharmonic (Principal)
Previously a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Montreal Symphony
Teaches at: Lynn University

Whitney Crockett’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Scott Enderby and family

Daniel Shelley

Principal Bassoon

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: New Mexico Symphony, Honolulu Symphony, Sarasota Opera
Additional career highlights: Concerts with Met Chamber Ensemble, Mostly Mozart Festival, Mainly Mozart Festival, All-Star Orchestra
Teaches at: New York University

holtje

Erik Höltje

Bassoon

Currently a member of: The Knights (Co-Principal), Delaware Symphony (Principal), Greater Bridgeport Symphony
Additional career highlights: Concerts with New York City Ballet Orchestra, Grant Park Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Princeton Symphony, Stamford Symphony, New Jersey Symphony, Pennsylvania Ballet, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and New York Philharmonic; performances at Ravinia, Tanglewood, Ojai, Aix-en-Provence, Skaneateles, Caramoor, Pacific, and Crested Butte Festivals

Horn

Mark Almond

Principal and Co-Principal Horn

Currently a member of: San Francisco Symphony (Associate Principal)
Previously a member of: San Francisco Opera (Principal), Philharmonia Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Music@Menlo, Cleveland ChamberFest
Teaches at: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, San Francisco State University

Mark Almond’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by The Spirit Burns Fund.

Jennifer Montone

Co-Principal Horn

Currently a member of: Philadelphia Orchestra
Previously a member of: Saint Louis Symphony (Principal), Dallas Symphony (Associate Principal), New Jersey Symphony
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Berlin Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, and New York Philharmonic; soloist with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Saint Louis Symphony, Dallas Symphony, National Symphony, Polish National Radio Symphony, and Warsaw National Philharmonic, among others
Teaches at: Curtis Institute of Music, the Juilliard School 

Jennifer Montone’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by The Spirit Burns Fund.

Erik Ralske

Co-Principal Horn

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: New York Philharmonic (Acting Associate Principal), Houston Symphony (Associate Principal), Vancouver Symphony (Principal), Florida Symphony (Principal)
Additional career highlights: Performances at Aspen, La Jolla, Bridgehampton, Vancouver, and Seattle Festivals; recordings for films such as Platoon and Moonrise Kingdom
Teaches at: The Juilliard School, Manhattan School of Music, Mannes College of Music

Erik Ralske’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by The Spirit Burns Fund.

Thomas Jöstlein

Principal and Section Horn

Currently a member of: St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Associate Principal)
Previously a member of: New York Philharmonic
Additional career highlights: Concerts as Guest Principal with the Dallas Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra

Patrick Pridemore

Principal and Section Horn

Career highlights: Concerts with Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Metropolitan Orchestra, Aretha Franklin, Cheap Trick, and Harry Connick Jr.; performances at Marlboro, Spoleto USA, Ravinia, and Tanglewood Festivals

Stewart Rose

Horn

Currently a member of: Orpheus Chamber Orchestra (Principal), Orchestra of St. Luke’s (Principal), Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: New York City Opera (Principal Horn), New York City Ballet (Acting Principal), New York Philharmonic (Acting Associate Principal)
Additional career highlights: Concerts at Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center, Music from Marlboro, Bridgehampton Chamber Music Festival

Stewart Rose’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by The Spirit Burns Fund.

Anne Marie Scharer

Horn

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Previously a member of: Columbus Symphony (Associate Principal), Orquesta Symphonica del Principado de Asturias, Spain (Principal)
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the New York Philharmonic and Orchestra of Saint Luke’s; recordings for movie and television soundtracks; performances with Monarch Brass

Trumpet

Billy R. Hunter, Jr.

Principal Trumpet

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: Baltimore Symphony, New World Symphony (Principal), Grant Park Orchestra (Assistant Principal)
Teaches at: University of Texas at Austin 

 Billy R. Hunter, Jr.’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Suzanne and Jay Simon

Jonathan Bhatia

Trumpet

Currently a member of: Reno Philharmonic Orchestra, Alias Brass Company
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Houston Symphony Orchestra, Boston Brass, All-Star Brass, Columbus Symphony Orchestra, Columbus Ballet Orchestra, Los Angeles Modern Brass Quintet, Symphony of Southeast Texas, Brazos Valley Symphony, Rodney Marsalis Philadelphia Big Brass, Southeast Symphony, and Susanville Symphony Orchestra
Teaches at: University of Nevada, Reno

Jonathan Bhatia’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Charlotte and Dick McConnell

Adam Luftman

Trumpet

Currently a member of: San Francisco Opera (Principal) San Francisco Ballet (Principal), National Brass Ensemble, Bay Brass, San Francisco Contemporary Music Players
Previously a member of: Baltimore Symphony, New World Symphony
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Cleveland Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, Chicago Symphony, Boston Symphony, San Francisco Symphony, and Vienna Philharmonic; numerous recordings for film and video game soundtracks
Teaches at: San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Stanford University, UC Berkeley

Federico Montes

Trumpet Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Recent graduate of: University of Miami, the Juilliard School, University of South Florida
Currently a member of: Omaha Symphony Orchestra (Associate Principal)
Previously a member of: The Florida Orchestra, Miami City Ballet Orchestra
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the the Detroit, Boston, Nashville, Kansas City, Charleston, and Jacksonville symphonies, as well as with the Sarasota Orchestra and Naples Philharmonic; performances at Cabrillo, Music Academy of the West, and Tanglewood Festivals; winner of Most Outstanding Trumpet at the Sphinx SOPA Competition; first prize in the National Trumpet Competition and Yamaha Young Artist Competition

Trombone & Bass Trombone

David Garcia

Principal Trombone

Currently a member of: Philharmonia Zürich, Orchester der Oper (Solo Trombone)
Previously a member of: Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Principal), Hartford Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Tonhalle Orchestra Zürich, Orquestra Sinfonica de Galicia, Gürzenich Orchester Köln
Teaches at: Zürich Opera Orchester Academy

David Garcia’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Peter and Kim Garcia.

Peter Sullivan

Principal Trombone

Currently a member of: Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: Montreal Symphony (Solo trombone)
Additional career highlights: Soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Montreal Symphony; performances at the Ascoli Piceno Brass Festival in Italy; first prize winner in the Umea International Solo Competition in Sweden
Teaches at: Duquesne University; Carnegie Mellon University; Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan

Peter Sullivan’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Julia Amaral and Mark Strate

James Albrecht

Trombone

Currently a member of: Reno Philharmonic (Principal)
Previously a member of: Memphis Symphony, New World Symphony
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony
Teaches at: University of Nevada, Reno

James Albrecht’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Susan and Gary Clemons.

Denson Paul Pollard

Denson Paul Pollard

Trombone and Bass Trombone

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Teaches at: Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University

Denson Paul Pollard’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Julia Amaral and Mark Strate

Nicholas Schwarz

Nicholas Schwarz

Bass Trombone

Currently a member of: New York City Ballet Orchestra (Principal)
Additional career highlights: Performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, San Francisco Ballet, Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, St. Luke’s Chamber Orchestra, and Sarasota Opera, as well as at Festival Maribor in Slovenia and Festival Lyrique-en-Mer in France

Nicholas Schwarz’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Julia Amaral and Mark Strate 

Tuba

Daniel Peck

Tuba

Currently a member of: New York City Ballet Orchestra
Previously a member of: Chicago! on Broadway
Additional career highlights: Zombie Burlesque show at the Coney Island Freak Show Museum
Teaches at: New Jersey City University

Daniel Peck’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Peter and Kim Garcia.

Timpani

Aaron McDonald

Timpani

Currently a member of: Vancouver Symphony Orchestra (Principal)
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the West Virginia Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, National Broadcast Orchestra of Canada, VSO Chamber Players, Turning Point Ensemble, Standing Wave, National Broadcast Orchestra of Canada, and Timetable percussion ensemble; performances at Music Academy of the West and Tanglewood

Percussion

Steven White

Steven White

Principal Percussion

Currently a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra (Assistant Principal Timpani and Percussion)

Carol Colwell

Percussion

Currently a member of: Reno Philharmonic
Previously a member of: Honolulu Symphony, River City Brass Band
Additional career highlights: First prize in the Illinois Young Performers Competition; soloist with the Chicago Symphony; concerts with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Indianapolis Symphony, New World Symphony, Omaha Symphony, and Seattle Ballet, among others
Teaches at: University of Nevada, Reno

Carol Colwell’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Charlotte and Dick McConnell.

Matthew Ward

Percussion

Currently a member of: American Modern Ensemble (Principal), Talujon (Principal)
Previously a member of: Albany Symphony
Additional career highlights: Founding member of Ensemble IPSE and Argento Chamber Players, Manager of the Percussion Department at Manhattan School of Music
Teaches at: Aaron Copland School of Music, Queens College; Brooklyn College; Mostly Modern Festival

Alex Mendoza percussion

Alex Mendoza

Percussion Fellow, Classical Tahoe Academy

Recent graduate of: Duquesne University, University of North Texas
Previously a member of: Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps Front Ensemble
Additional career highlights: Concerts with the Dallas, Fort Worth, Victoria, Johnstown, and Wheeling Symphonies; performances at Aspen Music Festival
Teaches at: Moe and Gene Johnson High School

Harp

Emmanuel Ceysson

Harp

Currently a member of: Los Angeles Philharmonic
Previously a member of: Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Paris Opera
Additional career highlights:  Solo debut with Oslo Philharmonic; Artist in Residence in Winterthur, Switzerland for the 2021-2022 season
Teaches at: San Francisco Conservatory, Mannes School of Music

Emmanuel Ceysson’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Jerome Guillen & Jeremy Gallaher.

Marina Roznitovsky Oster

Harp

Currently a member of: Reno Philharmonic Orchestra (Principal), Reno Chamber Orchestra (Principal)
Previously a member of: West Eastern Divan Orchestra, multiple worldwide tours
Additional career highlights: Soloist with the Israeli Youth Symphony, Oistrakh Symphony, Susanville Symphony, Carson City Symphony, and Reno Pops Orchestra, among others; performances with the Terre Haute Symphony, Illinois Symphony, and Santa Rosa Symphony; featured artist with the Tahoe Chamber Music Society and Chamber Music Unbound, among others
Teaches at: University of Nevada, Reno

Marina Roznitovsky Oster’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Charlotte and Dick McConnell.

Piano

Donna Lee

Piano

Currently a member of: CityMusic Cleveland
Additional career highlights: Steinway Artist, inducted into the Steinway Teacher Hall of Fame; Steinway & Sons Top Teacher Award; Kent State University Distinguished Teaching Award; performances at Maui Classical Music Festival, Gotland Chamber Music Festival in Sweden, Ameri-China International Music Foundation; Music on The Hill Chamber Music Festival in Rhode Island, and Kent Blossom Music Festival; soloist with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and at Alice Tully Hall in New York
Teaches at: Kent State University, Brevard Music Center

Donna Lee’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Ron and Barbara Goldman. 

Anna Stoytcheva

Piano

Currently a member of: American Chamber Players
Previously a member of: New World Symphony, Pittsburgh Symphony
Additional career highlights: Co-chair and pianist for Bulgarian Concert Evenings in New York; concerts at Weill Hall at Carnegie Hall; soloist with the Bulgarian Radio Orchestra, New World Symphony, and Orchestra del’Angelicum; performances at Marlboro, Pianofest, Bowdoin, Music Academy of the West, Kneisel Hall, Banff Center for the Arts, and Walla Walla Chamber Music Festivals

Harpsichord

Dongsok Shin

Harpsichord

Dongsok Shin’s appearance at Classical Tahoe is made possible by Renee and Steven Bouck.