Nancy Wu

Nancy Wu has served as Associate Concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 1989. She performs regularly with the MET Chamber Ensemble and has been a guest artist with the Chamber Music Society of Martha’s Vineyard and the Fondation Giannada in Martigny, Switzerland. Ms. Wu has been a coach for the Verbier Festival Orchestra since its founding in 2000. She is an exclusive artist for Thomastik-Infeld Strings. A Fulbright grant recipient, Ms. Wu graduated with honors from Stanford University and the Vienna Hochschule für Musik, and lives in Pleasantville, New York, with her husband, double bassist Leigh Mesh and their two children.

Wen Qian

A native of Beijing, China, Ms. Wen Qian came to the US in 1987 to pursue a musical career. As a soloist, Ms. Qian was hailed by China Daily as “one of China’s most promising young violinists” after her China concert tour in 1994. She was praised as “a rare thrill” and “enthralling” by the Strad magazine for her 2004 solo recital at the Carnegie Weill Recital Hall. As a chamber musician, she has performed in music festivals such as the Marlboro and Sarasota festivals, and the Young Concert Artist Series presented by the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center.

Sarah Crocker Vonsattel

Violinist Sarah Crocker Vonsattel has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2008. She previously held positions in the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and the Colorado Symphony. Sarah has appeared as soloist with the musicians of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, the Syracuse Symphony, and the Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, among others. Recent performances include appearances at Lake Tahoe Summerfest, the Dame Myra Hess Concert Series, the Bronxville Chamber Music Series, Downtown Music at Grace Church, the New Marlborough House Concerts, and the Syracuse Society for New Music.

Qianwen Shen

As an orchestra musician, Qianwen Shen has served concertmaster of New World Symphony, New England Conservatory Philharmonic Orchestra, New England Conservatory Chamber Orchestra, Mannes School of Music. She was a fellow of Tanglewood Music Center in 2016. She has appeared in ensemble and solo performances at Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Victoria Theatre and Concert Hall of Singapore, Hong Kong Art Center Concert Hall, National Centre for the Performing Arts in Beijing China, Shanghai Music Hall, Shanghai Oriental Art Center. Ms. Shen has performed with Boston Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra.

Ann Lehmann

Violinist Ann Lehmann joined the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra in 2000. She has also been a member of the Grant Park Music Festival Orchestra in Chicago since 2008. Prior to her current jobs, Ann has enjoyed a busy and versatile career. A native of Chicago, she made her solo debut with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra at the age of eleven, and performed with them again in a nationally televised performance at the age of sixteen. Since then, Ann has played with numerous other orchestras that include the Dominican Republic National Symphony, the Little Orchestra Society of Lincoln Center, the Julius Grossman Orchestra in New York City, and the Korean Broadcasting System Symphony in Seoul, Korea. She has also given numerous recitals, including a debut recital at Carnegie’s Weill Recital Hall and Kennedy Center’s Terrace Theater. For her Kennedy Center debut, she was praised by Strad magazine for the “subtlety and finesse of her phrasing” and her “sense of ease and control” and “unruffled assurance” for the virtuosic demands of the evening.

Garrett Fischbach

Garrett Fischbach has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 1998. He was a member of the San Francisco Symphony from 1996-98 and the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. from 1995-96. His 2CD recording of the complete works for solo violin by J.S. Bach was released to critical acclaim in 2004. He was a college division faculty member at Mannes School of Music from 2008-2015, and has been a guest adjudicator at Juilliard Pre-College and Manhattan School of Music. He has performed and taught at the Sun Valley Artist Series, the Sid & Mary Foulger International Music Festival, and International Workshops in Graz, Austria. Garrett earned a Bachelor of Music degree, magna cum laude, from Boston University where he studied with George Neikrug and Yuri Mazurkevich, and a Master of Music degree from Northern Illinois University as a student of Shmuel Ashkenasi. Garrett is an active chamber musician and recitalist, and is sought after in New York City as a teacher for advanced violinists and violists.

David Krauss

David Krauss joined The Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as Principal Trumpet in 2001 and occupies the Beth W. and Gary A. Glynn endowed chair. He has has performed with James Levine in the MET chamber series at Carnegie Hall and has appeared as guest principal trumpet with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and New York Philharmonic. A native of Long Island, New York, he earned both Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School as a student of William Vacchiano and Chris Gekker. Prior to joining the MET, he performed with a variety of ensembles in and around New York City, including Orchestra of St. Luke’s, The New York Philharmonic, and several Broadway shows. David co-produced three recordings–Metropolitan Opera Brass, Waltzes, Songs & Festive Scenes and Sacrae Symphoniae.

Billy R. Hunter, Jr.

A native of Austin, Texas, Billy Hunter is currently Principal Trumpet with the Metropolitan Opera in New York and Assistant Principal Trumpet with the Grant Park Symphony Orchestra in Chicago. Before this, he was Principal with the New World Symphony and Spoleto Festival Italy orchestras, and has performed as Guest Principal with the Frankfurt Radio Symphony in Germany, Malaysian Philharmonic in Kuala Lumpur, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. Other orchestras he has performed with are the New York Philharmonic, Boston, Baltimore, and Dallas Symphonies. As a chamber musician and soloist Mr. Hunter has performed with several ensembles and music festivals including Grant Park Orchestra, New World Symphony, University of Texas Symphony and Wind Ensemble, Prometheus Chamber Orchestra, Eastern Music Festival and the MET Chamber Ensemble.

James Ross

Trumpeter James Ross joined the Metropolitan Opera in 1994. Previously, he was PrincipalTtrumpet of the Vancouver Opera Orchestra and a frequent performer with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra and the CBC Radio Orchestra. His freelance activities have included performances as Principal Trumpet at Tanglewood with the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, and concerts with the New York-based chamber orchestra, Orpheus. He has been a guest of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, and was a member of the NY Philharmonic. Mr. Ross attended the University of British Columbia, St. Louis Conservatory, and the Cleveland Institute of Music.

Raymond Riccomini

Raymond Riccomini, trumpet, joined the Metropolitan Opera orchestra in 2004. Prior to this, Raymond frequently performed, toured and recorded with the New York Philharmonic, including as guest Principal trumpet. He has also held the positions of second trumpet in the New Jersey Symphony and Principal trumpet of the Hudson Valley Philharmonic. Raymond was a founding member of the Manhattan Brass Quintet and was a winner in the 1993 Fischoff Chamber music competition. In 2006, Raymond performed as Principal trumpet in Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 as part of Riverside Church’s 75th Anniversary celebration with members of the Detroit Symphony, New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and Metropolitan Opera orchestra, under the direction of Maestro Neeme Jarvi.

Anton Rist

Anton Rist was recently appointed Principal Clarinet of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. He has performed with the American Ballet Theater, the Orchestra of St. Luke’s, the Louisiana Philharmonic, and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition, he served as the Principal Clarinetist of the Princeton and New Haven Symphonies.

Dean LeBlanc

Clarinetist Dean LeBlanc has been performing with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra as an Associate Musician since 1998. He enjoys a versatile performance career as an orchestral musician and has also performed with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, Mostly Mozart Orchestra, Lincoln Center Festival, Orchestra of St. Luke’s, Santa Fe Opera, New York City Opera, American Symphony Orchestra, Bard Music Festival, American Ballet Theatre Orchestra, New Jersey Symphony Orchestra, and Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra.

Jerry Grossman

Jerry Grossman has been the principal cellist of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 1986. He has appeared in recital, and with symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles throughout the United States. His highly acclaimed New York debut at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was followed by the American premiere of Kurt Weill’s 1920 Cello Sonata, leading to recording that work, as well as works by Dohnanyi, Prokofiev, Bartok, and Kodaly for Nonesuch Records. His recording of works for cello by Victor Herbert is available on New World Records. He has appeared as soloist in Carnegie Hall and on domestic and European tours with the Met Orchestra under James Levine playing Don Quixote by Richard Strauss.

Joel Noyes

Joel Noyes is Assistant Principal Cello of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. As a chamber musician and recitalist, Joel has appeared throughout the United States at such prestigious venues as Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, and Bargemusic, Ltd. He performed with Renee Fleming in the opening night concert of Zankel Hall at Carnegie Hall and has been seen there several times since as part of the Musicians from the Met chamber series with James Levine. He has also performed at festivals including Marlboro Music, La Jolla Summerfest, and Music from Angel Fire, and has collaborated with many of the world’s leading chamber musicians, including members of the Guarneri, Juilliard, and Vermeer Quartets.

Kari Jane Docter

Kari Jane Docter, cello, is a native of Minneapolis, MN. She was a student of Eleonore Schoenfeld at the University of Southern California, and graduated magna cum lauda from Rice University, where she studied with Norman Fischer. Upon graduation from Juilliard, as a masters’ student of Joel Krosnick, Kari entered the professional orchestra scene, which took her from the New World Symphony, the Buffalo Philharmonic, and the Utah Symphony, to the Minnesota Orchestra, where she played two seasons. In the fall of 2002, she joined the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. A lover of chamber music, Kari has been heard at such prestigious music festivals as Marlboro, Tanglewood, and the Grand Teton Music Festival, as well as on the smaller stages of Carnegie Hall with the MET Chamber Ensemble.

Julia Bruskin

Since her concerto debut with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at age 17, cellist Julia Bruskin has established herself as one of the premiere cellists of her generation. She performed Samuel Barber’s Cello Concerto with conductor Jahja Ling at Avery Fisher Hall and has also been soloist with the Nashville Symphony, Utah Symphony, Virginia Symphony, and Pacific Symphony among others. Her recent CD of music by Beethoven, Brahms, and Dohnanyi was praised by Fanfare Magazine for its “exquisite beauty of sound and expression”. Ms. Bruskin won 1st prize in the Schadt String Competition and was a prizewinner in the International Johannes Brahms Competition in Austria.

Chelsea Knox

Chelsea Knox is the principal flutist of the MET Orchestra. A sought-after performer, Ms. Knox has held positions as assistant principal flute of the Baltimore Symphony and principal Flute of the New Haven and Princeton Symphonies. She has been hailed by the New York Times for her warmth, precision, and clarity, as well as by the New York Classical Review for her “expressive life and full tone.” An active orchestral and chamber musician, Ms. Knox has appeared with numerous orchestras including the Seattle Symphony, Vancouver Symphony, San Diego Symphony, and IRIS Orchestra. She has won competitions including the New York Flute Club Young Artists Competition and the Hartford Symphony Young Artists Competition.

Seth Morris

Seth Morris serves as Principal Flute with the MET Orchestra and has been Principal Flute with the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet Orchestras since 2012. He previously held positions with the New World Symphony and West Michigan Symphony and has performed with various ensembles including the Houston, Detroit, and Pacific Symphony Orchestras, American Ballet Theatre, and the Dallas Winds. Seth was a Fellow of the Tanglewood Music Center, as well as a member of the American Institute of Musical Studies Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria and the Bay View Music Festival. Originally from Louisville, Kentucky, Seth earned degrees from the University of Kentucky, New England Conservatory, and the University of Michigan. His teachers include Paula Robison, Amy Porter, Fenwick Smith, and Gordon Cole. Seth is a William S. Haynes Artist.

Maron Anis Khoury

At age 20, virtuoso flutist Maron Anis Khoury became the youngest musician to join the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. Born in the village of Tarshiha, Galilee, to a musical family, Khoury started playing the flute at the age of 11. Three years later, he was admitted to the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia to study with renowned flutist Jeffrey Khaner. Prior to his enrollment at Curtis, Khoury studied with Eyal Ein-Habar and Uri Shoham (Israel Philharmonic), Sara Andon (Idyllwild Arts Academy), and David Shostak (Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra.) Khoury is a recipient of several grants from the Curtis Institute of Music and the Charles M. Kanev Memorial Fellowship. In addition, he is a winner of the America-Israel Cultural Foundation Scholarship and the Schoen Fellowship Grant in honor of Charlotte White.

Stephanie Mortimore

Stephanie Mortimore has held the position of Principal Piccolo with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2000. During the 2008-09 season, she served as Acting Principal Flute. Ms. Mortimore has won numerous distinctions, including first prize in the Myrna Brown Competition, the James Pappoutsakis Competition and the Union League Civic and Arts Foundation Competition. She can be heard on three Grammy Award winning recordings with the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. An active recitalist and sought-after teacher, Ms. Mortimore has given numerous concerts and masterclasses in New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, and in her native state of Wisconsin. She has performed as a soloist with the Dallas Chamber Orchestra and will be giving the world premiere of Daniel Felsenfeld’s double piccolo concerto in Spring 2015 with Ensemble 212.
 

August 2 Panelists:

Sylvia Danburg Volpe

Sylvia Danburg Volpe joined the orchestra as Associate Principal Second Violin in the year 2000. A native of Houston, Texas, she began her undergraduate studies with Ken Goldsmith at the Shepard School of Music at Rice University, and completed her Bachelor of Music at Juilliard with Glenn Dicterow. She made her New York solo debut at Alice Tully Hall in 1996, where she was praised by the New York Times for “beautiful tone — both lyricism and virtuosity”.

Catherine Ro

Catherine Ro, violinist in the Metropolitan Opera, has established herself as an active chamber musician, soloist, and recitalist. Her concerts have taken her all around the globe to such countries as Russia, Finland, Lithuania, Spain, France, Portugal, China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea. Ms. Ro made her debut with the Los Angeles Philharmonic under the direction of Esa-Pekka Salonen at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. As a chamber musician, she performs regularly at Musique et Vin au Clos Vougeot, held in the Burgundy region of France, since its inception. In addition, she has performed at Carnegie Hall with the MET Chamber Ensemble under James Levine. Ms. Ro received her Bachelor and Master degrees from the Juilliard School, where she was a teaching fellow and assistant to Dorothy DeLay. She studied with Dorothy DeLay, Masao Kawasaki, Felix Galimir, and Zaven Melikian.

Katherine Fong

Violinist Katherine Fong has been a member of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra since 2000. A native of Amarillo, Texas, she began playing at age four. Katherine leads a multifaceted existence as an orchestral musician, chamber musician, soloist, entrepreneur, and mother. In addition to the Metropolitan Opera season, Katherine frequently performs as soloist in Bogotá with the Orquesta Nacional de Colombia and runs her company Luxitune, designing bejeweled fine tuners for string instruments. She has performed with the Met Chamber Ensemble and Maestro James Levine at Carnegie’s Zankel Hall. Katherine received a Bachelor of Music from the New England Conservatory, where she studied with Eric Rosenblith, and continued her studies with Cho-Liang Lin and Joel Smirnoff at the Juilliard School, where she received her Master of Music degree.