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Meet the Orchestra

The Future of Classical Music

2023 Orchestra

The 2024 National Repertory Orchestra will be announced in March 2024.

violin

Sadie Hamrin

Sadie Hamrin

co-concertmaster

Hometown:
Bemidji, MN

Education:
McGill University, Master of Music, 2024
Baylor University, Bachelor of Music, 2022

Sadie Hamrin is currently a master's student at McGill University, where she studies with Violaine Melancon. She previously studied with Patricia Shih and Bruce Berg at Baylor University, where she was named the Outstanding Graduate Instrumental Performer, was a violinist in the Waco Symphony, and ran Division I athletics. In her free time, she likes to spend time outdoors, exercise, explore random hobbies, and laugh with friends and family.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I quit the violin for many years because I didn't have a consistent teacher for almost a decade, and I wasn't sure I loved music anymore. I didn't find my love for it again until I started experimenting with jazz in my final year of undergrad, and my love has just grown from there.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Dmitri Shostakovich, Bela Bartok, Gustav Mahler

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to spend time outside, often accompanied by friends and coffee.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I believe that NRO will help me become a more well-rounded musician, through community outreach and collaboration with all of the other incredible musicians. I cannot wait to grow further with a group that holds a shared love for orchestral playing and creating meaningful music.

William Thain

William Thain

co-concertmaster

Hometown:
Aurora, Ontario, Canada

Education:
University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre & Dance, MMus Violin Performance 2022
McGill University, Schulich School of Music, Graduate Diploma Violin Performance 2020
McGill University, Schulich School of Music, BMus Violin Performance 2019

Canadian violinist William Thain gave his concerto debut at age 13 with the Brampton Symphony Orchestra. He received his master’s degree from University of Michigan studying with Danielle Belen, and currently holds a teaching position in the U of M precollege. William is the recipient of the 2022 Performing Arts EXCELerator Fellowship as a co-founder of the Montréal-based Ensemble Urbain, a conductorless ensemble specializing in performing works by underrepresented composers.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
Back in 2021 I started posting more pictures of my cooking/baking creations on Instagram and ended up getting scouted for the first season of NBC's show Baking It! I had to say no because I was in the middle of my master's degree, but I haven't ruled out the possibility of going on a cooking show down the road.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Clarice Assad

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love to cook; throwing dinner parties with friends is one of my all-time favorite things to do!

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I've never been one to learn music quickly, so this is my summer to change that. My number one goal this summer is to get comfortable playing in/leading a violin section with music that I've had to learn on the fly.

Natalie Koh

Natalie Koh

co-principal violin II

Hometown:
Singapore

Education:
DePaul University School of Music, Master in Music, 2023
Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music (Singapore), Bachelor of Music, 2020

Singaporean violinist Natalie Koh moved to Chicago two years ago and is currently studying with Professor Ann Setzer. A recipient of the Goh Soon Tioe Centenary Award and the National University of Singapore Society Medal for Outstanding Achievement, Natalie enjoys playing in orchestras such as the Civic Orchestra of Chicago and the Metropolitan Festival Orchestra (Singapore). She is also passionate about music education and inclusion, and frequently organizes music appreciation workshops for children of all abilities.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I love playing the violin, but I also enjoyed playing other instruments too. I used to play the flute for over a decade in various concert bands, and also played the viola in my chamber group back in high school. I am also a soccer fan! I support Arsenal and I am predicting we will win the Premier League this season.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Sergei Prokofiev, Dmitri Shostakovich, Johannes Brahms

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Cooking, or with other people’s cats.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I have not served as co-principal second for an entire summer full of concerts before, so that would be an experience in itself!

Sommer Altier

Sommer Altier

Hometown:
Sarasota, FL

Education:
Florida State University, Bachelor in Music Performance, April 2021
Mannes School of Music at The New School, Master in Music Performance, May 2023

Sommer Altier (24) is an American violinist from Sarasota, FL. An avid chamber and orchestral player, Sommer has served as concertmaster for both the Florida State University and Mannes orchestras and enjoys collaborating with musicians of all instruments. Sommer’s primary instruction at the collegiate level includes professors Corrine Stillwell and Rebecca Fischer. When she is not practicing, Sommer loves binging true crime podcasts and cuddling with her cat, Prince Biscuit.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
When I was in second grade, my elementary school had someone come in to teach us about cup-stacking. It is a sport of stacking cups in certain formations in a certain amount of time, and it turns out I was a natural! My P.E. Coach signed me up for the district championship and I ended up winning, beating all the boys in my class. It was one of the first times I really honed my skills on something and felt empowered by the results. Even though I’m retired from my career as an elementary cup stacking champion, I still think like one!

Name three of your favorite composers:
Piotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Dimitri Shostakovich, Maurice Ravel

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Trying different coffee and exploring my city.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I am excited to expand my orchestral repertoire and knowledge on how to be a supportive player from any part of the orchestra.

Ashtin Johnson

Ashtin Johnson

Hometown:
Pryor, Oklahoma

Education:
University of Cincinnati CCM DMA - 2026
University of Cincinnati CCM Artist Diploma - 2023
Florida State University Master's - 2020
University of Missouri at Kansas City Bachelor's - 2018

Ashtin is a current student at University of Cincinnati College Conservatory of Music studying with Timothy Lees. She recently graduated with her Artist Diploma, and will begin doctoral work in the fall. She's a graduate of Florida State University with a Master’s of Music learning from Dr. Benjamin Sung. And her Bachelor of Music is from University of Missouri Kansas City studying with Joseph Genualdi. In previous summers, Ashtin has attended Brevard Summer Music Festival, Eastern Music Festival and National Orchestral Institute.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I have a strong background in sports. I could have gone to college in softball or swimming, but I chose music!

Name three of your favorite composers:
Ludwig van Beethoven, Felix Mendelssohn, Johann Sebastian Bach

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Get outdoors! Long walks, hikes and hammocking are my go to activities. Also anything related to coffee or ice cream!

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to learn how to live well while making beautiful music in the mountains! I am grateful that there are so many good examples to follow at NRO. I don't want to miss the chance to learn anything that will help my life as an artist going forward.

Mumin Turgunov

Mumin Turgunov

Hometown:
Tashkent, Uzbekistan

Education:
Park University, Bachelor in Music Performance, 2025

Muminjon Turgunov is a student of Ben Sayevich currently working on his Bachelor's Degree in Violin Performance. Prior to coming to the United States in 2019 he studied for 11 years at the Glier School of Music in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, with such renowned teachers as Nikitin Yaroslav and Mashkura Kasimovna. In 2018, he started working as a concertmaster of "Consonanza" Chamber Orchestra at the Tashkent and Uzbekistan Diocese. In the same year he was awarded a Diploma for the Best Musician of the Season "Spring 2018".  In 2019, Muminjon participated in the Republican Competition of Uzbekistan and won 2nd prize. In 2020, he was privileged to work as a full time violinist in the "State Symphony Orchestra".  Muminjon has actively participated in the masterclasses with renowned and famous musicians such as Midori Gotö, Shmuel Ashkenasi, Amalia Hall and more. He has a passion for playing violin solo repertoire, but greatly enjoys playing in chamber ensembles and orchestras.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I may say that I can whistle very well, I can't say that I'm a professional but I'm sure I do it on an advanced level.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Sergei Prokofiev, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel.

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Go out with friends and also play some computer games.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to learn a lot of things, and get a great experience. I am really excited to play with the NRO symphony and communicate with the other musicians as well.

viola

Tyler Joseph Brugmann

Tyler Joseph Brugmann

Hometown:
St. Louis, MO

Education:
Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance 2019
Teachers Edward Gazouleas & Stephen Wrycynski
Indiana University College of Fine Arts
Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Linguistics and Hispanic Studies
Carnegie Mellon University
Master of Music in Viola Performance 2021
Artist Diploma 2023
Teachers David Harding & Tatjana Chamis Mead

Tyler Joseph Brugmann, born in St. Louis, Missouri, began playing viola at the age of 7. He received his Bachelor of Music degree in Viola Performance from Indiana University Bloomington Jacobs School of Music as a student respectively of both Edward Gazouleas and Stephen Wryczynski, as well received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Spanish Linguistics and Speech Pathology. After completing his degrees, Tyler went on to study with David Harding and Tatjana Chamis at Carnegie Mellon University where he is currently finishing his Advanced Music Certificate.
Tyler Brugmann is an active orchestral player and continues to play in the viola section with the Erie Philharmonic, Akron Symphony, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Westmoreland Symphony, Firelands Symphony, Johnstown Symphony, Altoona Symphony, and Butler Symphony Orchestra. Outside of music, Tyler enjoys cooking new recipes, drinking red wine, practicing yoga, hiking or taking long walks, and spending time with his friends and family.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I really enjoy the world of wine and the process of winemaking, and I have been studying for the past year to take my beginner sommelier exam by the end of 2023. I have always enjoyed learning about and drinking wine, so taking my exam is something I am looking forward to completing and expanding my journey into the world of wine.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Julia Wolfe, Benjamin Britten & Johannes Brahms

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
My favorite things to do while being on my music-making break is to cook, go on a hike with some friends, read at a cute coffee shop, or play volleyball!

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to grow more musically as a musician, continue to network with more talented musicians and mentors, and meet new friends and colleagues!

Paulina Flores

Paulina Flores

Hometown:
Altadena, CA

Education:
University of Southern California, Master of Music, 2024
San Francisco Conservatory of Music, Bachelor of Music, 2021

Paulina Flores has performed with the San Francisco Chamber Orchestra, Reno Philharmonic, Orvieto Musica Chamber Festival, and the Festival Napa Valley Orchestra. She is currently studying with Yura Lee at the University of Southern California. Paulina plays on a Douglas Cox viola awarded to her by the Virtu Foundation. This summer, she will play in the Spoleto Music Festival and National Repertory Orchestra.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
While on tour with the San Francisco Youth Symphony in 2019, I got heatstroke before our performance of Mahler's Symphony No.1 at the Berlin Philharmonie. I spent the entire symphony trying not to pass out, I couldn't even hear anything at a certain point. It was one of the scariest moments in my life, stay hydrated!

Name three of your favorite composers:
Gustav Mahler, Ludwig van Beethoven, Richard Strauss

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I've recently gotten into indoor climbing, so that's my current fixation! I also really enjoy reading and yoga.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
There are some bucket list pieces of mine on the calendar this season, so I'm very eager to learn and perform those. I'm excited to be in an environment that allows me to intensely focus on rehearsing and performing orchestral music.

Shia-He (Hailey) Lin

Shia-He (Hailey) Lin

Hometown:
Taipei, Taiwan

Education:
Manhattan School of Music, Master of Music in Classical Viola, 2024
University of Taipei, Bachelor of Music in Classical Viola, 2021

Shia-He Lin is a graduate student at the Manhattan School of Music studying under Professor Samuel Rhodes, and previously studied with Yu-Pei Hsiao and Grace Huang at the University of Taipei. Shia-He started studying the violin at seven and began playing viola at 14. She was principal viola of Manhattan School of Music Chamber Sinfonia and University of Taipei Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Taipei Symphony Orchestra's Chamber Sinfonia. She received full scholarship to participate in the 2020 Guangdong Youth Yo-Yo Ma Music Festival and has attended the Salzburg Mozarteum Summer Academy, International Kirishima Music Festival, and the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center Masterclass in Taipei studying with Thomas Riebl, Jean Sulem, and Masami Mochizuki.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I like to play pool and swimming.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Johannes Brahms, Ludwig Van Beethoven, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Watch all types of performances, concerts, and movies.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I look forward to spending time this summer out of the city. I have never been to Colorado before, and I am really excited to play a lot of repertoire.

Josh Thaver

Josh Thaver

Hometown:
Spring, TX

Education:
Baylor University School of Music (2014-2018)
BME, Instrumental Music Education

University of Michigan, School of Music, Theatre, and Dance (2020-2022)
MM, Viola Performance

Joshua Thaver is a currently active classroom music teacher and orchestral musician in the Ann Arbor, Michigan area. He earned a BME in Instrumental Music Education from Baylor University, and a MM in Viola Performance from University of Michigan SMTD. As a teacher, he teaches violin, viola, and cello in private lessons and serves as the music teacher for Schoolhouse Montessori. His principal teachers include Kathryn Steely and Caroline Coade.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
While I have never been trained classically, dance has always been a fun hobby. I performed in many intramural cultural dance teams during my undergraduate, even choreographing for some, and performing in various openers and intramural competitions. I did take a few dance classes in my master's but now I pursue dance on my own in the comforts of my living room 🙂

Name three of your favorite composers:
Johannes Brahms, Paul Hindemith, Claude Debussy

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Painting OR taking a long walk outside with my dog, Daisy.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
During this summer with NRO, I wish to learn how I can contribute to the orchestral world both on and off stage. As I have had to become incredibly multifaceted this past gap year, in terms of my "modern musician" career path, orchestra has been but a small part of how I am currently sharing my gift of music with others. This summer I want to delve into performing, engaging with my audiences, and getting to truly understand what an orchestra can bring to their community, and to the environment as a whole.

cello

Clare Choi

Clare Choi

co-principal cello

Hometown:
Diamond Bar, CA

Education:
Southern Methodist University -- Bachelor of Music, 2025

Clare Choi is pursuing her bachelor's degree in Cello Performance at SMU studying with Chris Adkins and Andres Diaz; she previously studied with Yao Zhao and Lila Yang. She has had the pleasure of studying chamber music with Aaron Boyd in addition to performing with the Marmen and Viano Quartets, Pierre Lapointe, Masumi Rostad, Edward Arron, and William Purvis.

Clare has also performed with the Dallas Symphony as a substitute cellist and chamber musician. She serves as principal cellist of the Meadows Symphony Orchestra, and she has worked with conductors including Fabio Luisi, Michelle Merrill, Andrew Grams, David Fulmer, and Sameer Patel.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I love oranges and can usually be found snacking on them during rehearsal breaks or before concerts!

Name three of your favorite composers:
Arnold Schoenberg, Franz Schubert, and Johannes Brahms.

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love taking naps and finding new books to read! Recently I've been working on a book by Betty Edwards about "drawing on the right side of the brain".

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to really learn how to work quickly and effectively within an orchestral setting. I remember seeing on the NRO application that this festival has the most repertoire in the country, and just looking at the schedule so far, I believe it.

double bass

flute

Madison Booth

Madison Booth

Hometown:
Ontario, OR

Education:
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
D.M.A., Flute Performance and Literature, 2025

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
M.M., Flute Performance and Literature, 2022

Boise State University
B.M., Flute Performance, 2020
B.M., Music Education, 2020

Driven by passion for performance and pedagogy, Madison Booth maintains an active career as a performer and educator. She performs with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, Sinfonia da Camera, and Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra. In 2023, Madison won the University of Illinois Concerto Competition and Second Prize in the Mid-South Young Artist Competition. She maintains a dynamic teaching presence through her private studio and as co-founder of the Elevating Flutistry Intensive.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I have visited 36 states, and I would like to visit all 50 states as well as every national park in the United States.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Amanda Harberg, Blaz Pucihar, Johann Sebastian Bach

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love hiking, reading, crocheting, and traveling!

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I am excited to learn so much fantastic orchestral repertoire this summer! This is a wonderful opportunity to play with incredible musicians in beautiful Breckenridge, CO. I know that I am going to grow tremendously as a flutist, orchestral player, and artist.

oboe

clarinet

bassoon

Matthew Melillo

Matthew Melillo

Hometown:
Scotch Plains, NJ

Education:
BM in Bassoon Performance — Northwestern University, 2021
MM in Bassoon Performance — Northwestern University, 2023

Matthew Melillo is a contrabassoonist and bassoonist who works in the Chicago area, where he studied with David McGill. He was recently appointed contrabassoon/bassoon in The Florida Orchestra, starting in September 2023. He was a member of the 2022 Lucerne Festival Contemporary Orchestra in Switzerland and will join them for their 2023 tour of Finland. Matthew is committed to increasing the general level of contrabassoon pedagogy.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I like to pick up new hobbies whenever I can. During the pandemic I started breadmaking, leatherworking, and soapmaking. The one that's been most useful to my music career is 3d modeling and printing. Over the last couple of years I've designed low-note extensions for bassoon and contrabassoon, as well as a few devices that assist in reedmaking.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Igor Stravinsky, Maurice Ravel, Dave Malloy

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Cooking or sewing.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I've spent a good portion of the last year playing in a wind ensemble, where I was seated at the very front of the stage. In this setting you can play precisely with the conductor, but in a large orchestra, those of us at the back of the ensemble have to anticipate the beat a little bit to account for the sound's travel time. To make matters worse, many student ensembles play too reactively behind the beat, and there's only so much one player can do to correct that. I trust that at NRO I'll be able to practice rhythmically engaged playing alongside other musicians doing the same.

horn

Frank Carrubba III

Frank Carrubba III

Hometown:
San Antonio, TX

Education:
Carnegie Mellon University, Master of Music, 2018
The University of Texas at Austin, Bachelor of Music, 2016

Frank Carrubba III hails from San Antonio, Texas where he works in Customer Relations Management and Business Process Outsourcing. In addition to his professional career Frank enjoys teaching his growing studio of horn students and participating in orchestral performances across Texas and the country. His principal instructors are William Caballero, Patrick Hughes, and John Zirbel. Frank completed his Master's at Carnegie Mellon University and his Bachelor's at The University of Texas at Austin.

Mr. Carrubba's orchestral appearances include The Kansas City Symphony, Brazos Valley Symphony, Toledo Symphony Orchestra, Dayton Philharmonic, Kentucky Symphony Orchestra and Others. Previously he has been a fellow of the Aspen Music Festival and School, Spoleto Festival USA, The Round Top Festival Institute, and The American Wind Symphony Orchestra.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I spent a couple of years working for a New York based company that handled subscription sales and fundraising for The Cincinnati and North Carolina Symphonies.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Richard Strauss, Michael Giacchino, Johannes Brahms

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
Probably either go golfing or try a new local taco spot.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
This summer I hope to refine my playing with all of the orchestral rehearsals and concerts so that I am prepared for upcoming auditions in the fall.

Madeleine Folkerts

Madeleine Folkerts

Madeleine Folkerts

Hometown:
Port Orchard, WA

Education:
St. Olaf College, Bachelor of Music and Arts, 2017

Madeleine Folkerts is an active performer throughout the state of Montana. She moved to Great Falls in 2017 after winning the Principal Horn position in the Great Falls Symphony and Chinook Winds. In 2021, she won the Principal Horn Position in Bozeman. Madeleine is an active horn and piano teacher and coach for Great Falls Youth Orchestra programs. In addition, she performs as a pianist and organist at a church and with the Great Falls School District. She moved to Great Falls after completing two degrees in performance and psychology/neuroscience at St. Olaf College. Madeleine has performed as a member of the Big Sky Festival Orchestra and the National Repertory Orchestra (2017), as well as in other festival ensembles. She has toured nationally and internationally with the St. Olaf Band and Orchestra, appearing as a soloist with both groups. Originally from Port Orchard, WA, she enjoys being back in the mountains. When she's not performing, you can find her and her dog Beasley taking advantage of everything Montana has to offer on foot, bike, skis, and from the rock wall as much as they can.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
Most of my hobbies and activities were found in adulthood after moving to Montana. I always considered myself to be too busy to pursue many outside interests while in school, but I've found that many of my newfound interests contribute positively to my musical performance. I'm fascinated by the similarities between states of mind while performing on horn and biking or climbing a tricky route, for example. As I engage in different activities I challenge myself to find the optimal states for each and see if they can translate to others.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Richard Strauss, Frederic Chopin, Johannes Brahms

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, backpacking, rock climbing, mountain biking, hockey, skiing, and gardening.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I'm looking forward to gaining more orchestral experience from different seats in the horn section and working on a wide variety of repertoire. I'm also looking forward to the rigorous schedule and learning how I can balance my individual practice and leisure within that structure.

Xin He

Xin He

Hometown:
Ellicott City, MD

Education:
Yale School of Music, MMA 2024
Yale School of Music, MM 2023
Eastman School of Music, BM 2020

Xin He is a horn player based in New Haven, Connecticut and is a student at the Yale School of Music. Ms. He has performed with groups such as Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra as a substitute musician and the Eastman Philharmonia. Ms. He has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, Sarasota Music Festival, and the National Orchestral Institute + Festival in 2022, 2021, 2019 and 2018, respectively. She was invited to the Eastman Philharmonia China Tour. In Winter 2020, Ms. He participated in the 52nd annual New York String Orchestra Seminar. In November 2020, she performed for the MET Opera Orchestra Horn Masterclass.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
Related to my love of rabbits, I am very involved in local rabbit rescue and care. I believe it is important for human beings to use their time to give back to their surroundings, especially to those who don't have a voice. If there is one thing I hope people learn from me, please don't adopt bunnies for kids and for holidays - they are a lifetime commitment!
My dream is to have the finances to start my own bunny rescue one day.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Johannes Brahms, Richard Strauss, Andrea Clearfield

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love taking care of and bonding with my rabbits. I have a pair of bunnies, Bonnie and Watson!

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
Experience with repertoire is something I know I lack in any audition pool and in general I want to learn professional skills from playing in large ensembles. I want to learn to be a great colleague!

trumpet

Ian Mertes

Ian Mertes

Hometown:
Cushing, OK

Education:
The Colburn School, Professional Studies Certificate, 2024
University of Colorado Boulder, Master of Music, 2021
Oklahoma State University, Bachelor of Music Education, 2019

Ian Mertes, a trumpeter based in Los Angeles, California, regularly plays with the Colorado Symphony and has appeared with the Los Angeles Philharmonic. During the 2020 and 2021 seasons, he was a fellow at the Music Academy of the West, and he has won several competitions, including The International Trumpet Guild’s Orchestral Excerpts Competition and The National Trumpet Competition. His teachers include James Wilt, Ryan Gardner, and Justin Bartels.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
Before pursuing music professionally, I wanted to be an aerospace engineer like my maternal grandfather, Nick. I was totally set on it until one day during my junior year of high school. In a conversation, he convinced me that I should at least attempt a musical career instead. If it wasn't for him, I wouldn't have continued music nor experienced all the places music has taken me. I do still have a deep love for the sciences though and love learning about new inventions and technological breakthroughs.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Aaron Copland, Gustav Mahler, and Dmitri Shostakovich

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love visiting science museums and art galleries. It's amazing to see what others have created and achieved.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to gain a deeper understanding of the orchestral repertoire by playing many great pieces with a fantastic orchestra. I'm also looking forward to making lifelong friends and colleagues over the summer.

trombone

Sarah Goldberg

Sarah Goldberg

Hometown:
Fort Worth, TX

Education:
The Juilliard School, Bachelor of Music
Class of 2025, Tenor Trombone Performance

Sarah Goldberg is a trombonist based in New York where she is pursuing her Bachelor's of Music degree at the Juilliard School as a scholarship student. Sarah has made appearances with the Juilliard Orchestra, Juilliard Trombone Choir, Seraph Brass, Greater Newburgh Symphony Orchestra, National Youth Orchestra, and is an apprentice conductor with New York Youth Symphony. Sarah placed as a finalist in the Lowell Chamber Orchestra International Concerto Competition in 2023 and the International Competition for Young Instrumentalists in Italy in 2022. Her teachers include Joseph Alessi, Thomas Riccobono, John Rojak, Michael Repper, and Leslie Dunner. Sarah is a performing artist for HAAG Brass.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I love doing photography as a hobby! This consists of taking headshots for people and documenting the memorable sights during my travels. This has brought lots of fulfillments into my life.

Name three of your favorite composers:
Gustav Mahler, Alexander Scriabin, & Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I love running, photography, and traveling around the world!

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to learn about what it means to have a professional orchestral position throughout the summer in Breckenridge. This can differ quite a bit from being a conservatory student, so I’m excited for the new experiences and future lessons learned from being in such an intense program!

tuba

Ethan Marmolejos

Ethan Marmolejos

Hometown:
Watchung, NJ

Education:
Curtis Institute of Music, Master of Music, Class of 2024
Carnegie Mellon University, Bachelor of Fine Arts, Class of 2022

Ethan Marmolejos is a tubist originally from Watchung, New Jersey. Having started playing the tuba at the age of twelve, his early studies were with Joseph Eggebeen. Ethan earned his bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University, where he studied with Craig Knox of the Pittsburgh Symphony. He is currently working on his master’s degree at the Curtis Institute of Music, where he studies with Craig Knox and Paul Krzywicki, formerly of the Philadelphia Orchestra.

As an orchestral musician, Ethan has performed with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Symphony in C, National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, and Curtis Symphony Orchestra. This summer, he will perform as the tuba fellow with the National Repertory Orchestra in Breckenridge, Colorado. Ethan has been a regular finalist in professional orchestra auditions, and he hopes to one day become a professional orchestral tubist and teacher.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
I like to practice yo-yo tricks in my free time, so if you see me in-person feel free to ask about my yo-yo-ing. I usually carry a yo-yo around with me, so I’d be happy to show you some tricks!

Name three of your favorite composers:
Johann Sebastian Bach, Anton Bruckner, Johannes Brahms

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
I like to go on walks around my neighborhood or do some reading.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I hope to learn how to better blend my tuba sound with the sound of the whole orchestra and how to keep up with a busy, densely packed orchestral schedule.

percussion

Edric Salazar

Edric Salazar

Hometown:
San Benito, TX

Education:
Baylor University, M.M. 2024
University of Texas, B.M. 2022

Originally from San Benito, a small town deep in the south of the Texas Rio Grande Valley, Edric Salazar is a percussionist currently pursuing his Master of Music degree at Baylor University under Dr. Todd Meehan and Arlo Shultis. For his undergraduate degree, he attended the University of Texas at Austin Butler School of Music, where he studied under Ivan Treviño, Tony Edwards and Dr. Thomas Burritt. Previously, Edric was accepted to the Aspen Music Festival and School's summer 2020 season. Outside of percussion and music, he loves shopping and escaping into the marvelous world of the French language, in which he also holds a Bachelor's degree.

What is something interesting that people may not know about you?
My first language is actually Spanish, which I can no longer speak, but I am fluent in French! I unironically think there is nothing more fascinating than the evolution of the language's grammar and phonetic system and how they became what we know them as today!

Name three of your favorite composers:
Dmitri Shostakovich, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Phillip Glass

When taking a break from music-making, what is your favorite thing to do?
One could usually find me either studying languages, shopping or rewatching my favorite comfort shows for the nth time.

What are you most looking forward to this summer with the NRO?
I am certain that simply being surrounded by and making wonderful music with so many fine musicians from around the country all summer will teach me much more than what I could ever anticipate. SO excited!