Alumni

Alumni

Alumni

A Legacy of Musical Excellence

For more than 70 years, Symphony in C has served as a launching pad for some of the world's most accomplished musicians, conductors, and composers. As one of only three professional training orchestras in the United States, Symphony in C prepares emerging artists for successful careers through rigorous performance opportunities, professional mentorship, and real world orchestral experience.

Today, Symphony in C alumni perform with many of the world's most prestigious orchestras, opera companies, chamber ensembles, and arts organizations, carrying our tradition of artistic excellence to audiences around the globe.

Building Careers That Shape the Future of Classical Music

The professional experience musicians gain at Symphony in C extends far beyond the concert stage. Alumni have gone on to become:

Many of our former musicians now hold leadership positions in orchestras throughout the United States, Europe, and Asia, demonstrating the lasting impact of Symphony in C's professional training program.

Alumni Perform Around the World

Symphony in C alumni have earned positions with many of the world's leading musical organizations, including:

...along with dozens of additional orchestras and performing arts organizations across North America, Europe, Asia, and beyond.

What Our Alumni Say

The experiences musicians gain at Symphony in C prepare them for successful professional careers while creating lifelong artistic connections.

"Symphony in C was like a greenhouse for me. Through highly demanding professional expectations in a nurturing environment it opened my eyes to the beauty of orchestral music while giving me the tools to handle the challenges faced by an orchestral musician. The institution is a job, a school and a family all at once."

Shachar Israel

Assistant Principal Trombone, The Cleveland Orchestra

"Playing with Symphony in C was a major influence in my decision to pursue an orchestral career. Its high musical quality and professional rehearsal to performance schedule prepared me for my future career."

Yumi Kendall

Assistant Principal Cello, The Philadelphia Orchestra

"Training orchestras in the United States are few and far between, but Symphony in C leads the way. Playing with musicians who all adhere to the same high standard prepared me to hit the ground running in my own professional career."

Christopher Stingle

Second Trumpet, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

Stay Connected

Are you a Symphony in C alumnus?

Whether you've joined a new orchestra, accepted a teaching position, received an award, or simply want to reconnect, we'd love to hear from you. Help us celebrate your accomplishments and keep our alumni network connected by sharing your latest news with us.

Distinguished Alumni

Symphony in C is proud to have alumni performing with many of the world's most respected orchestras and performing arts organizations.

View our complete directory of alumni appointments below.

Anastasia Agapova, The Atlanta Symphony – Violin I

Jordan Anderson, Seattle Symphony – Principal Bass

Yeseul Ann, The Allentown Symphony – Violin I

Joe Assi, Sarasota Orchestra – Co-Principal Horn

Fora Baltacigil, Münich Philharmonic – Principal Bass

Bronwyn Banerdt, The Pittsburgh Symphony – Cello

Nurit Bar-Josef, National Symphony Orchestra – Concertmaster

Jeffrey Beecher, Toronto Symphony – Principal Bass

Erik Behr, Rochester Philharmonic – Principal Oboe

Robyn Bollinger, The Detroit Symphony – Concertmaster

Mary Bowden, Richmond Symphony – Trumpet

Jose-Maria Blumenschein, Vienna Philharmonic -Concertmaster

Ion Buinovschi, Turku Philharmonic (Finland) – Associate Concertmaster

Keith Buncke, Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Principal Bassoon

Catherine Cary, Richmond Symphony – Section Violin

Choong-Jin Chang, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Principal Violist

Xi Chen, The Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra – Violin

Catherine Chen, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra – Principal Bassoon

Yi-Chun Chen, Hong Kong Philharmonic – Section Cello

Sifei Cheng, Minnesota Orchestra – Section Viola

Michael Chiarello, Toronto Symphony Orchestra – Associate Principal Bass

Nikki Chooi, Buffalo Philharmonic – Concertmaster

Daniel Chrisman, Austin Symphony – Contra Bassoon

John Clouser, The Cleveland Orchestra – Principal Bassoon

Matthew Cohen, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia – Viola

Nathan Cole

The Boston Symphony Orchestra – Concertmaster

Los Angeles Philharmonic – First Associate Concertmaster

Samuel Compton, Memphis Symphony Orchestra – Principal Horn

Joseph Conyers, Philadelphia Orchestra – Principal Bass

Ryan DiLisi, San Diego Symphony – Principal Timpanist

Yoni Draiblate, The Florida Orchestra – Principal Cello

Rebecca Epperson, The National Symphony Orchestra – Viola

Rainer Eudeikis, San Francisco Symphony – Principal Cello

Abraham Feder, Sarasota Orchestra – Principal Cello

Roy Femenella, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Horn

Shannon Fitzhenry, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Section Violin

Mara Gearman, Seattle Symphony – Section Viola

Eliso Gegeshidze, Kirov Orchestra (Russia) – Violin II

Ariana Ghez, Los Angeles Philharmonic – Principal Oboe

Alan Gilbert, New York Philharmonic – Former Music Director, International Guest Conductor

Marylene Gingras-Roy, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Section Viola

Jennifer Godfrey, Seattle Symphony – Section Bass

Peter Greydanus, Richmond Symphony – Section Cello

Sorin Guttman, Fort Worth Symphony – Section Viola

Gene Hahn, Grand Rapids Symphony – Section Violin`

Alexander Hanna, Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Principal Bass

Monica Hanulik, Colorado Symphony Orchestra – Assistant Principal Oboe

John Harrison, Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (New Zealand) – Section Bass

Elaine He, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – Violin I

Daniel Hege, Syracuse and Wichita Symphony Orchestra – Music Director

Dayna Hepler, The National Symphony Orchestra – Assistant Principal 2nd Violin

Nate Hepler, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – 2nd Trumpet

Harrison Hollingsworth, New York City Ballet – Principal Bassoon

Kate Holzemer, Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra – Section Viola

Meesun Hong, Zurich Opera House (Switzerland) – Violin

Hung-Wei Huang, Seoul Philharmonic Orchestra (Korea) – Principal Violist

Mei Ching Huang, New York Philharmonic – Section Violin

Adam Iascone, Seattle Symphony – Section Horn

Pavel Ilyashov, Virginia Symphony – Section Violin

Shachar Israel, The Cleveland Orchestra – Assistant Principal Trombone

Hannah Ji, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra – Assistant Concertmaster

Danny Yehun Jin, The Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Assistant Principal 2nd Violin

Meredith Johnson, Winnipeg Symphony – Principal Bass

Andrew Karr, The Florida Orchestra – Horn II

Michael Kasimir, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra – Section Viola

Yumi Kendall, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Assistant Principal Cello

Gawon Kim, The Cleveland Orchestra – Violin I

Jeoung-Yin Kim, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Violin II

Sylvia Kim, The Pittsburgh Symphony – Violin I

Amy Kniffen, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Section Viola

Victoria Knudtson, The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra – Horn

Chisa Kodaka, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – Violin II

Allan Kolsky, Syracuse Symphony Orchestra – Principal Clarinet

Sylwia Konopka, Polish National Opera (Poland) – Concertmaster

Gabriel Kovach, The Phoenix Symphony – Principal Horn

Todd Kuhns, Oregon Symphony – Assistant Principal Clarinet

Jeremy Kurtz, San Diego Symphony – Principal Bass

Paul LaFollette, Richmond Symphony – Acting Principal Horn

Austin Larsen, Singapore Symphony Orchestra – Principal Horn

Eric Larson, Houston Symphony – Section Bass

Gregory Lecoeur, Orchestra del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Italy) – Timpani

Christine Lee, The Boston Symphony Orchestra – Cello

Hanna Lee, The National Symphony Orchestra – Violin

Seula Lee, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia – Violin I

Michael Lelevich, The Dallas Opera – Assistant Principal Bass

Ryan Leveille, Charleston Symphony Orchestra – Principal Percussion

Ze Yu Victor Li, The Toronto Symphony Orchestra – Section Viola

Christopher Lindgren, The Charleston Symphony Orchestra – Principal Trombone

Lei Liu, The Florida Orchestra – Assistant Concertmaster

Jason Markzon, Fort Wayne Philharmonic – Principal Percussion

Zoë Martin-Doike, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Section Viola

Ian Maser, North Carolina Symphony – 2nd Trombone

Daniel Matsukawa, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Principal Bassoon

Mai Matsumoto, New World Symphony – Violin

Momoko Matsumura, Hartford Symphony Orchestra – Section Violin

Megan McBride, Basel Symphony Orchestra (Switzerland) – Horn

Chelsea McFarland, The Philadelphia Orchestra – 3rd Horn

Anthony McGill, New York Philharmonic – Principal Clarinet

Simon Michal, Chicago Symphony Orchestra – Section Violin

Harrison Miller, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – Principal Bassoon

Eric Millstein, Lyric Opera of Chicago; Grant Park Symphony – Percussion

Elliott Moreau, Pacific Symphony – Second Bassoon

Marvin Moon, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Section Viola

David Murray, The National Symphony Orchestra – 2nd Trombone

Katherine Needleman, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – Principal Oboe

Angela Nelson, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Percussion/Asst. Timpanist

James Nova, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Second/Utility Trombone

Alexandra Osborne, National Symphony Orchestra – Section Violin

Philip A. Pandolfi, The Pittsburgh Symphony – Bassoon

Cecee Pantikian, The Pittsburgh Symphony – Violin II

Jayna Park, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Violin II

Gabriel Polinsky, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Associate Principal Bass

Todor Popstoyanov, La Orquestra de la Comunitat Valenciana (Spain) – Horn

Philip Powell, Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra – Bass

Wen Qian, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Violin I

Gregory Raden, Dallas Symphony Orchestra – Principal Clarinet

Rene Reder, Alabama Symphony Orchestra – Section Viola

Carolyn Riley, Pacific Symphony – Section Viola

Kevin Roberts, Philharmonic Orchestra of Santiago (Chile) – Principal Trombone

Ryan Roberts, The New York Philharmonic – English Horn

Evan Rogister, Deutsche Oper Berlin (Germany) – Principal Assistant Conductor

Brian Santero, New York City Ballet – Principal Trombone

Christopher Schnell, Sarasota Orchestra – Assistant Principal Cello

Charles Settle, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra – Section Percussion

Burke Shaw, Houston Symphony – Section Bass

Billy Short, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Principal Bassoon

Ryan Simmons, San Diego Symphony – Bassoon II

Brian Smith, Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra – Section Bass

Lisa Steltenpohl, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – Principal Viola

Christopher Stingle, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra – Trumpet II

Rex Surany, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Principal Bass

Jack Sutte, The Cleveland Orchestra – Trumpet

Stephen Tavani, The Cleveland Orchestra – Assistant Concertmaster

William Theis, Malaysian Philharmonic Orchestra (Malaysia) – Co-Principal Trumpet

Mark Timmerman, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra – Bassoon II

Kenneth Tompkins, Detroit Symphony Orchestra – Principal Trombone

Agnes Tse, The Baltimore Symphony Orchestra – 1st Violin

Daniel Turcina, Trondheim Symphony and Trondheim Soloists (Norway) – Violin

Wyatt Underhill, San Francisco Symphony Orchestra – Assistant Concertmaster

Helen Vassiliou, The New Jersey Symphony – Violin

Tess Varley, The Philadelphia Ballet Orchestra – Associate Concertmaster

Jeremías Sergiani-Velázquez, The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra – Principal 2nd Violin

Tobias Vigneau, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Assistant Principal Bass

Alexandra von der Embse, Richmond Symphony – Oboe

Jonathan Vinocour, San Francisco Symphony – Principal Viola

Robert Walters, The Cleveland Orchestra – Oboe

Chi Zong Wang, National Symphony Orchestra (Taiwan) – Principal Horn

Meng Wang, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Section Viola

Stephen Werczynski, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Section Viola

Nathaniel West, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Section Bass

John Whitener, Royal Scottish National Orchestra – Principal Tuba

Patrick Williams, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Associate Principal Flute

Anthony Wise, San Antonio Symphony – Principal Trombone

Rimbo Wong, The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Viola

James Lee Wyatt III, San Francisco Symphony – Percussion

Yu Yuan, The Cleveland Orchestra – Section Violin

Shanshan Yao, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra – Violin I

Xuan Yao, The Allentown Symphony – 1st Violin

Mary SangHyun Yong, The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia – Principal Viola

Yao Guang Zhai, Shanghai Symphony Orchestra – Principal Clarinet

Sissi Yuqing Zhang, The Atlanta Symphony – 1st Violin

Wenmin Zhang, North Carolina Symphony-Assistant Principal

Other Members:

Kazem Abdullah, International Guest Conductor

Soo Bae, Cello Soloist, Chamber Musician, Naxos Recording Artist

Jason Calloway, Biava Quartet – Cellist

Karina Canellakis, Chamber Musician, Violin Soloist

Nicholas Canellakis, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center II – Cellist

Emily Deans, Caramoor Festival Rising Stars, Primrose Viola Competition, Second Prize

Anthony Devroye, Avalon String Quartet – Viola

Timothy Fain, Violin Soloist, Chamber Musician, Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient 2001

Elizabeth Fayette, Vega Quartet – 1st Violin

Rodolfo Fischer, International Guest Conductor

Jose Franch-Ballester, Clarinet Soloist, Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient 2008

Paul Haas, Sympho – Artistic Director and Conductor

Arlen Hlusko, Bang On A Can All-Stars – Cello

Mark Holloway, Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center II – Violist

Caleb Hudson, Canadian Brass – Trumpet

Stephanie Jeong, Paganini Violin Competition 2008 (Genoa, Italy) – Top Prize Winner

Erin Keefe, Chamber Musician, Violin Soloist, Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient 2006

Nicholas Kendall, Violin Soloist, Chamber Musician, Time for Three

Michael Klotz, Amernet Sting Quartet – Viola

Priscilla Lee, Avery Fisher Career Grant recipient 2008 – Cellist

Holly Matthews, The Philadelphia Orchestra – Principal Librarian

Benjamin Shwartz, International Guest Conductor

Josef Spacek, First Prize at the Michael Hill International Violin Competition 2009