Linda Goldstein, voila, has been a member of the Houston Symphony since July 1981. This month, she retires from the orchestra after playing for nearly 40 years on the Jones Hall stage. Learn more about Linda and take a look back at her long career below. Beginnings “I began my musical studies at age 11 … Continued
Houston Symphony musicians are full-time members of the orchestra, but many still dedicate their spare time to serving our community by working with local schools and other community partners, such as hospitals, shelters, and senior care centers. This month, Dave Kirk, principal tuba, told us about his passion for bringing music into Houston-area communities. Why … Continued
MuChen Hsieh, principal second violin, shares what’s inside her violin case. 1. VIOLIN by Boston violin maker Andrew Ryan. “I commissioned this violin in 2014 while living in Boston.” 2. CLOTH COVER protects the violin inside the case. “It came from the inside liner of a dress my grandma made for me.” 3. BOWS by maker … Continued
Even without the ability to physically visit partners like schools, senior centers, and hospitals in person, Houston Symphony musicians continue to provide community and educational engagement opportunities—including virtual classrooms. Horn player Ian Mayton designed his high school sessions to work well in an online environment, providing next steps for students to continue on their musical … Continued
As we all stay at home, many families are looking for enriching activities to do together, and the households of Houston Symphony musicians are no different. Some have been involving their children in joyous music-making and encouraging you to do the same through video and photos shared on the Houston Symphony’s YouTube channel and social … Continued
Robin Kesselman was appointed Principal Bass of the Houston Symphony by Music Director Andrés Orozco-Estrada in 2014. He has performed as guest principal bass with the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Israel Philharmonic, traveled internationally with the Philadelphia Orchestra and Los Angeles Philharmonic, and appeared with the National, Atlanta, and Baltimore Symphonies. Robin frequently performs … Continued
Born in Wuhan, China, Wei Jiang began studying violin with his father at age 5, then studied viola after being admitted to the prestigious Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing. Immediately upon graduating with the highest honors, Jiang became the youngest person to be appointed to a teaching position at the Conservatory. During his five-year … Continued
Tina Zhang has been a violinist with the Houston Symphony since 2011. Prior to joining the orchestra, she received her bachelor’s degree in both music and mathematics at Bard College where she studied with Weigang Li. She went on to complete her master’s degree at Rice University with Cho-Liang Lin. After starting the violin at … Continued
Charles Seo was appointed cellist of the Houston Symphony in the summer of 2018 at age 22. Previously, he served as principal cellist in the Colburn Orchestra. Charles, who made his solo orchestral debut at age 10, has performed as guest soloist with the Houston Symphony, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and San José Chamber Orchestra. He … Continued
This month, we welcome a new member of the Houston Symphony family, contrabassoon Adam Trussell, who joined the orchestra in June. Before joining the Houston Symphony, Adam was a full-time member of the Oregon Symphony (2011–2019) as second bassoon and of the Omaha Symphony (2005– 2011) as assistant principal bassoon. He is also principal bassoon … Continued
During these hot summer months, our musicians take a well-deserved break from Houston Symphony activities, but they still keep busy by traveling the world to teach, learn, and play with other musicians—sometimes they even find time for a vacation! Learn how a few of our musicians made the most of this summer. Brian Del Signore, … Continued
A native of St. Petersburg, Russia, Anastasia joined the Houston Symphony second violins in November 2017 having previously performed as a contracted substitute in the first violin section since the 2014–15 season. After moving to the United States at age 17, her musical career took a diversion into jazz and contemporary music. Realizing her passion … Continued
Adam Dinitz joined the Houston Symphony in September 2007 as solo English horn. He held prior positions with the San Francisco Symphony, the Florida Orchestra, and the Sarasota Orchestra, and has performed with the Cleveland Orchestra and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, among others. He has participated in summer festivals, including the Tanglewood Music Center, Aspen … Continued
Violist Daniel Strba began his professional career at age 17 when he became a member of the United States Army Chamber Orchestra in Washington, D.C. where he performed for official state functions at The White House. He holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Chicago’s DePaul University and a master’s degree from the Cleveland Institute … Continued
Joan DerHovsepian became a member of the Houston Symphony in 1999 and has been associate principal viola since 2010. She is an artist teacher of viola at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music and a faculty guest at the New World Symphony. This summer, she joins the faculty of the National Orchestral Institute. Annually, Joan … Continued
Christian Schubert has been the second clarinetist of the Houston Symphony since 1996 when he was appointed by Music Director Christoph Eschenbach. A native of Burbank, CA, he studied at Northwestern University in Evanston, IL, where he received both his undergraduate and graduate degrees in music performance. His principal teachers have been Kalman Bloch, Robert Marcellus … Continued
In January 2019, Timothy Dilenschneider was appointed associate principal double bass of the Houston Symphony. Prior to joining this orchestra, Timothy was a member of the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under the baton of music director Marin Alsop. He has also performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and The Florida Orchestra. His orchestral … Continued
Maki Kubota hails from Santa Monica, California. In middle school, he signed up to play violin in orchestra, but auditioned without knowing how to play. He deservedly got assigned to the cello instead. He began lessons a few years later at the Colburn School and went on to study at the Peabody Conservatory and Rice … Continued
Leonardo R. Soto Jr. is the newly appointed Principal Timpanist of the Houston Symphony and the first native Hispanic timpanist to play in a professional orchestra in the United States. Leo served as principal timpanist of the Charlotte Symphony from 2009 until 2018, and the Michigan Opera Theatre-Detroit Opera House from 2003 to 2009. He … Continued
Richard Harris joined the Houston Symphony as second trumpet in 2018. Previously, for eight years he was a member of the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, where he became the only musician in an American orchestra to win auditions for each position in one trumpet section. A Yamaha Performing Artist, he has performed with the Seoul and … Continued