Principal Musicians

The Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra principal musicians are members of the Performance Faculty in the McIntire Department of Music at the University of Virginia. They are supported through ticket sales, donations to the orchestra's annual fund and endowment, and the University of Virginia.

Daniel Sender, interim concertmaster
dls8kb@virginia.edu

The Mary Dean Scott Chair

Daniel Sender has appeared as a recitalist, chamber musician and orchestral violinist throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and China.  A native of Philadelphia, Mr. Sender holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Performance and Education from Ithaca College and a Master of Music degree from the University of Maryland.  Currently a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree at the University of Maryland, Mr. Sender is in the process of completing his dissertation, "Folk Elements in Twentieth-Century Hungarian Music."

During the 2010-11 academic year, Mr. Sender was a Fulbright Scholar at the Franz Liszt Academy of Music in Budapest where he studied with the Hungarian violinist Vilmos Szabadi, collaborated with teachers at the Folk Music School of Óbuda, and carried out research in support of his dissertation.  Two articles resulting from his research are currently being reviewed for publication.

Prior to his Fulbright Fellowship, Daniel served as first violinist of the Adelphi String Quartet, the graduate fellowship string quartet-in-residence at the University of Maryland, under the tutelage of the Guarneri and Left Bank Quartets.  The Adelphis were semi-finalists in the 2010 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition and gave a number of acclaimed concerts, including a collaboration with the Axelrod Quartet for a performance of the Mendelssohn Octet at the National Museum of American History on the Smithsonian's collection of Stradivarius and Amati instruments.

Named a Presser Scholar by the Theodore Presser Foundation, Daniel was also a recipient of the Anna Sosenko Artist Grant which funded his participation in the 2005 Adriatic Chamber Music Festival in Bonefro, Italy.  Mr. Sender served for four years as the violinist of the Annapolis Chamber Players and his recording of Walter Gieseking's chamber music has an expected release in 2011 under the Naxos label.

Mr. Sender's teachers include Rebecca Ansel, Gerald Fischbach, David Salness, and members of the Guarneri Quartet.  Recent appearances include concerts at the Bartók Hall of the Institute for Musicolology, Budapest; Haus der Kulturen der Welt and Universität der Kunste, Berlin; the Old Academy and Franz Liszt Memorial House, Budapest; the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, Montreal Museum of Fine Arts, National History Museum and McDowell Hall at St. John's College, Annapolis.

David Sariti, violin
djs6k@virginia.edu

The Robert D. Cross Memorial Chair

Violinist David Sariti maintains a career of uncommonly diverse musical accomplishments, with a repertoire spanning from the seventeenth century to the present day. An active recitalist and chamber musician, he has appeared in recent months as guest artist at universities throughout the East and Midwest. He joined the faculty at the University of Virginia in 2005, where he maintains a studio of violin students, coaches chamber music and directs the Baroque Orchestra and the Palladian Chamber Orchestra, a conductorless student ensemble. He performs at UVa in the Rivanna Quartet and other faculty chamber collaborations, and as Principal Second Violinist of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra.

He was commissioned by the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts to premiere an award-wining work by composer Anna Weesner. Also accomplished on the Baroque violin, he performs frequently with the Washington Bach Consort and in collaboration with harpsichordist Bradley Lehman. He has edited a violin sonata from 1657 by Heinrich Lizkau for its first-ever publication by Prima la musica!. His interest in early music has lead to research and a series of programs for Monticello on music from the collection of Thomas Jefferson, culminating in the recently-released CD Music from the Jefferson Collection.

Dr. Sariti has taught violin and music history at the Hartt School, and is an author dedicated to the advancement of string pedagogy. His articles have been regularly featured in American String Teacher, California Music Teacher, and American Music Teacher. He completed his doctorate at the Hartt School (University of Hartford) in the Honors Chamber Music program, writing on "The Austro-German Violin Sonata, c. 1650". He also holds degrees from the University of Akron and Ithaca College. Studies were with Katie Lansdale, Pamela Gearhart, Pamela Frank and members of the Cleveland and Miami Quartets. He performs on a violin by the noted Boston maker Andrew Ryan, from 1997.

 

Adam Carter, cello
acc8v@virginia.edu

The Genevieve B. Horween & Marion H. Chase Chair

Cellist Adam Carter joined the faculty of U.Va’s McIntire Department of Music in 2008. He currently teaches cello and chamber music at UVa and is Principal Cello of the Charlottesville & University Orchestra. Previously, he played with the Madison Symphony Orchestra in Madison, Wisconsin. He has also won positions with the Akron Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic and Cedar Rapids Symphony, and performed with the Erie Philharmonic, Fairfax Symphony and Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra. An active teacher, Mr. Carter was adjunct professor of cello and bass at Ripon College (Wisconsin) and taught with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestras in Madison.

As a founding member of the Tarab Cello Ensemble, Adam travels the country playing new works for cello octet. The Ensemble was awarded a grant from the Howard Hanson Institute for American Music for its accomplishments in the creation and performance of contemporary music, a grant from the Foreman Institute for the Creative and Performing Arts and a grant from the Fromm Foundation. The Ensemble has recorded on Bridge Records and Albany Records. Mr. Carter is also a top prize winner at the 1998 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition.

Adam grew up in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and attended high school at the North Carolina School of the Arts. He received his Bachelors and Masters degrees with distinction from the Eastman School of Music, and received his doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. His principal teachers include Steven Doane, Rosemary Elliot, Robert Marsh and Uri Vardi.

Photo credit:  Cramer Photo


 

Peter Spaar, bass
ps4a@virginia.edu

The Robert & Ruth Cross Chair

Pete Spaar has served as principal bass of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra since 1989. He serves on the music performance faculty at the University of Virginia where he teaches classical and jazz bass and is a member of the Free Bridge Quintet. He has performed with the Fort Worth and Roanoke Symphonies and is currently a member of the Richmond Symphony. He has extensive freelance experience as both a jazz and classical bassist, including performances with Michael Brecker, Dave Liebman, Mose Allison and Emily Remler.

Mr. Spaar holds a Bachelor of Music degree from James Madison University and a Master of Music degree from University of North Texas. He has studied with Thomas Lederer, principal bassist with the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.



Rob Patterson, interim clarinet
rwp2g@virginia.edu

The Henry Jacob Javor Chair

Rob Patterson is quickly establishing himself as an exciting and versatile young clarinetist. He serves on the music faculty of the University of Virginia and plays interim Principal Clarinet in the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra. He recently received a Young Artist Grant from the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities to record his debut CD, and will be a Strathmore Artist in Residence during the 2011-12 season. As a Strathmore Artist in Residence, Mr. Patterson will perform solo concerts, present masterclasses and appear in recital on the Millennium Stage of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Other upcoming concerts include a performance with the VERGE Ensemble at the LIVEWIRE festival in Baltimore and recitals at the Washington Arts Club in the James Monroe House, the Alden Theatre’sRising Stars series and the Spencerville 7th Day Adventist Church Recital Series.

Dedicated to expanding the standard clarinet repertoire, Mr. Patterson constantly seeks out new and lesser-known works and adapts previously written music to the clarinet. His upcoming CD will include his own transcription of a J.S. Bach Sonata for Violin and Harpsichord, as well as the first recording of John B. Hedge’s Clarinet Sonatina, Gumbo, composed in 2008.

Mr. Patterson has performed under the baton of such conductors as Christoph Eschenbach, Leon Fleisher, Michael Tilson Thomas, Sir Simon Rattle, Lorin Maazel and Jeffery Tate. He has served as Guest Principal Clarinet with the Annapolis, Fairfax and Culver City Symphonies. He has also played with the National, Richmond, Roanoke, Haddonfield, Peninsula and Downey Symphonies as well as with the Washington National Opera Orchestra. He has participated in the Music Academy of the West, Colorado College, Boston University Tanglewood Institute, Eastern Music Festival and Bravo! Vail Valley Music Festival.

He received his Bachelor of Music from the Curtis Institute of Music and his Master of Music from the University of Southern California. His principal teachers include Yehuda Gilad, Richard Hawley and Donald Montanaro.

For more information, please visit http:/www.robwpatterson.com.


 

Kelly Sulick, flute
kas6am@virginia.edu

The Thomas C. & Margaret M. MacAvoy Chair

Kelly Sulick currently teaches at the University of Virginia and serves as Principal Flute in the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra.  Prior to her appointment, she served as Principal Flute with the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and as Consortium Instructor of Flute at the University of Evansville for three years.  She earned her Master of Music degree in Flute Performance from the University of Southern California and recently completed three seasons as principal flute with the Young Musicians Foundation Debut Orchestra in Los Angeles, California.  Prior to her graduate studies, she earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Flute Performance and a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, where she graduated with highest honors and was named a James B. Angell Scholar for her academic achievements.

She has performed as Principal Flute with the USC Chamber and Symphony Orchestras, the University of MIchigan Symphony Orchestra and Symphony Band, and the Livingston Symphony Orchestra.  She has appeared as a concerto soloist with several ensembles, including most recently the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and the Southern Ilinois Music Festival.

Equally at home on the concert and popular stages, Ms. Sulick has performed and recorded with several rock bands, including The New Fidelity, a Mod-Power Pop outfit from southern California; Superdot, a world music group based in Detroit; and Ann Arbor, Michigan singer-songwriter Timothy Monger.  A champion of new music, she has premiered several works and participated in the Minimalist Jukebox series, a music festival curated by John Adams.

Ms. Sulick won second place in the 2010 National Flute Association's Young Artist Competition, and was awarded the prize for the best performance of Kristin P. Kuster's "Perpetual Afternoon."  She has been a finalist or semi-finalist in numerous national competitions, including The Flute Society of Kentucky Young Artist Competition, the University of Michigan Concerto Competition, the Pasadena Showcase House Instrumental Competition, the Young Musicians Foundation National Debut Competition, and the Frank Bowen Young Artist Competition.  She has received the Leni Fe Bland Foundation Scholarship, the Mary Adams Balmot Memorial Scholarship, and the Thornton School of Music Dean's Scholarship.  Ms. Sulick has recorded several compact discs, including William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and of Experience under Leonard Slatkin, a Naxos release that received four Grammy awards including Best Classical Album.

Her principal teachers include Jim Walker and Amy Porter.

 

Aaron Hill, oboe
ash7e@virginia.edu

The Jason I. & Ellen U. Eckford Chair

Aaron Hill serves on the faculty at the University of Virginia and plays Principal Oboe in the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra. Mr. Hill holds the Master of Music and Artist Diploma degrees from the Yale University School of Music where he was the recipient of the Thomas Nyfenger Memorial Prize, and the Bachelor of Music degree with Highest Honors from the University of Michigan. He has presented master classes at the Universities of Texas, North Texas, Michigan and West Virginia and at Oklahoma State University. He also played Principal Oboe on William Bolcom's Songs of Innocence and Experience under Leonard Slatkin--a Naxos release that received four Grammy awards including Best Classical Album.

From 2002-2008, Mr. Hill played principal oboe in the Flint Symphony Orchestra, including a solo appearance performing Mozart's Oboe Concerto.  He has also performed with the Rochester Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Orchestra of St. Luke's, Hartford Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Roanoke Symphony Orchestra, Windsor Symphony, and Ensemble ACJW. During the summer, Mr. Hill is a member of the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra. He has been honored as a Yamaha Young Performing Artist and was awarded the Grand Prize in the Mu Phi Epsilon Society for Musical Arts Competition and the Leche Trust Prize at the Barbirolli International Oboe Competition. He studied with Richard Killmer, Stephen Taylor, Nancy Ambrose King, David Weiss, and Klaus Becker.

 

Ayn Balija, viola
atb3y@virginia.edu

The Elizabeth W. Gatewood Chair

Joining the Performance Faculty in 2007 as Lecturer in Viola at the University of Virginia, Ayn Balija serves as Principal Violist of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra and the Chamber Orchestra of Charlottesville. She is the Director of the University of Virginia Chamber Music Series that highlights the talents of the Performance Faculty and Co-Director of the Tea Time Recitals, the student performance series. She is also a member of Pro Musica Chamber Orchestra in Columbus, Ohio.

Ms. Balija teaches lessons as a Boyd Tinsley Tutor in the Charlottesville Public Schools, performs outreach concerts, serves as President of the Virginia Viola Society and maintains a private viola studio. She is also a frequent substitute with the Richmond Symphony.

Ayn Balija earned her Bachelor of Music degree from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music and Master of Music degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music. Jeffrey Irvine and Peter Slowik continue to be her principal instructors and mentors. She has also studied with members of Apollo's Fire including Jeanette Sorrell and Cynthia Roberts. She has attended numerous summer festivals including the Aspen Music Festival and School, Banff Center, Credo and the Colorado College Summer Festival where she was an orchestral musician, chamber coach, mentor and quartet fellow. In 2006, Ms. Balija was awarded the Aspen Mentor Fellowship to aid in the instruction of aspiring orchestral musicians.

Other interests include modern music and early music performances on the baroque viola.

 

Susan Fritts, horn
slf8m@virginia.edu

The Johanna & Derwood Chase and Chase Investment Counsel Corporation Chair

Early in her career, Susan Fritts taught instrumental music in Melbourne, Australia, and free-lanced with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Elizabethan Trust Melbourne Opera Orchestra and the Australian Symphony Orchestra. She later lived in Germany, experiencing the fall of the Berlin Wall and performing in opera orchestras, including Landestheater Detmold, Staatstheater Kassel, Cologne Opera "Guerzenich," Philharmonia Hungarica and off-stage horn with the Bayreuth Wagner Festival Orchestra. Ms. Fritts was also a member of several Hunting-Horn groups in Germany.

In the United States, she held positions with the Kansas City Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony (Florida), Colorado Symphony Orchestra, The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra, Bellingham Music Festival, Colorado Music Festival and the United States Army Field Band in Washington, DC. Susan has held academic teaching positions at universities in Montana, Colorado, Florida and New Mexico. She enjoys working with young musicians and has coached the Horn and brass sections of the Youth Orchestras of Melbourne, Missoula, Albuquerque, Jacksonville and Denver.

Ms. Fritts earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education at St. Olaf College and her Master of Music in Horn Performance at Northwestern University. She has studied privately with Gerd Seifert in Berlin.



Seth Cook, tuba
sethcook@gmail.com

Having already performed in over twenty countries, Seth Cook has quickly defined his skill and talent as a tubist. Growing up in a musical family just south of Boston, Seth began his musical development with piano lessons at age five, followed by tuba lessons with Jerry Shaw at the age of ten. At fourteen, he was invited to join the New England Conservatory Preparatory School. During high school, he studied with Atlantic Brass Quintet tubist John Manning and at Boston University and the Tanglewood Music Festival.

Receiving Bachelors degrees in Music Performance and Musicology at Northwestern University, Seth spent his undergraduate years working with Rex Martin, Gail Williams and other Northwestern brass faculty. In 2003, he was appointed principal tuba of the Youth Orchestra of the Americas with which he toured Central and South America. The following year, he was invited to join the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, as Principal Tuba. There, he worked and performed with members of the Vienna Philharmonic and the Berlin Philharmonic, and performed under the batons of Valery Gergiev and Fabio Luisi.

In 2006, Seth received his Masters of Music from McGill University in Montreal, working closely with Dennis Miller, Principal Tubist of L'Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal. During his time at McGill, he was a member of two quintets that each won the American Brass Quintet Fellowship at the Aspen Music Festival.

Mr. Cook moved to Washington, D.C. in 2006, and quickly became a popular freelancer. He performs regularly at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, working with such ensembles as the National Symphony Orchestra and the Kennedy Center Opera House Orchestra. In 2008, he was privileged to play for Pope Benedict XVI's Mass at National Stadium, and in 2009, was featured at the Kennedy Center in the revival production of Ragtime: The Musical which went on to Broadway.

Along with his studio at the University of Virginia, Seth is also on the faculty at the Levine School of Music.



Elizabeth Roberts, bassoon
ear4x@virginia.edu

The Ann Saunders Roberts Chair

Elizabeth Roberts, Principal Bassoon and Outreach Coordinator of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, also serves as Principal Bassoon of the Roanoke Symphony Orchestra. Ms. Roberts joined the music performance faculty in the McIntire Department of Music at the University of Virginia in 2001. She is the bassoonist with the Albemarle Ensemble, UVA's resident faculty woodwind quintet. She freelances on bassoon and contrabassoon with orchestras such as the National Symphony Orchestra, the Philadelphia Orchestra, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony. She has performed as a soloist with the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra, the Harid Conservatory Orchestra, the Waynesboro Orchestra and at the 2010 International Double Reed Society Conference. Ms. Roberts is an adjunct faculty member at Lynchburg College and in the Adult Degree Program at Mary Baldwin College. She teaches bassoon, reedmaking and chamber music in the Charlottesville area.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Ms. Roberts holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Illinois. She taught kindergarten for two years in suburban Chicago, then began pursuing her dream of becoming a professional musician. She earned a Professional Studies Diploma and a Bachelor of Music degree from the Harid Conservatory, where she studied with Arthur Weisberg and received the Award for Outstanding Musical Performance; and a Master of Music Performance degree at the University of Southern California, where she studied with Stephen Maxym. During her second year at USC she was elected to Pi Kappa Lambda, was selected to be a Presidential Fellow, and was awarded the Dean's Special Commendation.  Ms. Roberts has completed additional studies on bassoon with Frank Morelli and Nancy Goeres, and on contrabassoon with Lew Lipnik.

As a student, Ms. Roberts held fellowships at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival (CT) and at the Aspen Music Festival (CO) where she served as principal bassoonist of the American Academy of Conducting Orchestra at Aspen for three summers. She has participated in the master class program at the Banff Music Centre where, during the summer of 2008, she was selected to perform chamber music with faculty members Richard Killmer, James Campbell, Frøydis Ree Wekre and Frank Morelli. Ms. Roberts has performed and taught at the Wintergreen Performing Arts Festival (VA), Beyond the Notes (UVA), Music Mind and Reading (NC) and at the Cascade Festival of Music (OR). She currently serves as the Music Advisor for Old Crozet School Arts, and was nominated for the 2008 Virginia Governor's Award for the Arts.

Ms. Roberts has given world premiere performances of works by Arthur Weisberg, Bernard Rands, Gary Schocker, and Walter Ross. She also gave the Virginia premiere of a recently discovered concerto for bassoon by Gioacchino Rossini.

 

Paul Neebe, trumpet
pmn9r@virginia.edu

The Dr. & Mrs. Kennerly H. Digges Chair

American trumpet virtuoso Paul Neebe has performed widely throughout the U.S. and Europe as both an acclaimed soloist and respected orchestral musician. Recognized for his beautiful solo sound and artistic flair, Mr. Neebe has also been praised for his commitment to commissioning and recording contemporary American works for the trumpet. In 2000, he commissioned the American Composer Roger Petrich to write a piece for Trumpet & Organ, a work premiered in Germany in 2002 and recorded on the German Label MDG in 2003. He also recorded with the Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra a CD consisting of all World Premieres of "American Trumpet Concerto's" to be released on the Albany Records Label in 2005. Neebe recently commissioned several new American works for trumpet and orchestra by: Dr. Walter Ross, Professor Emeritus of the University of Virginia, Dr. Eddie Bass, Professor Emeritus of the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, as well as Roger Petrich of St. Thomas More Catholic Church in Chapel Hill.

Mr. Neebe currently serves as principal trumpet of the Roanoke Symphony and the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra in Virginia, and is on the faculty of the University of Virginia. In recent seasons, he has performed as a featured soloist with the Roanoke, Charlottesville and Durham Symphonies, the Wintergreen Festival Orchestra, and the Elon University Wind Ensemble. In 1995 he received honors at the First International Trumpet Festival Competition in Moscow. In addition to numerous concerts throughout the U.S., he has performed several times for the Goethe Institute Cultural Program in Rothenburg, Germany and has toured with orchestras in Italy, Austria, Australia and New Zealand.

Mr. Neebe received both the Bachelor and Master of Music degrees from The Juilliard School. While at Juilliard, he was a member of the National Orchestra of New York, performing at Carnegie Hall. In May 1999, he completed his Doctorate of Musical Arts degree at the Catholic University of America. His teachers have included Bernard Adelstein, Arnold Jacobs, Steve Hendrickson, Douglas Myers, Vincent Penzarella, and William Vacchiano. For more information visit www.paulneebe.com.



Nathan Dishman, trombone
nmd2e@virginia.edu

The Rawson-Jones Chair

A native of Charles City, Iowa, Nathan Dishman received a Bachelor of Music in education with a jazz emphasis from the University of Northern Iowa.  He was awarded the Master of Music and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees in performance from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory of Music and Dance where he was an Ovation Scholarship Recipient.  His document, A Guide to Daily Maintenance for Trombone, is a unique resource that integrates recording technology, daily exercises, and information collected from renowned performers and pedagogues. A Guide to Daily Maintenance for Trombone is published by Kagarice Brass Editions. Nathan writes audio reviews for the International Trombone Association quarterly journal and is a performing artist for Greg Black Mouthpieces.

Before moving to the east coast, Nathan maintained a busy freelance schedule in the Kansas City area and was active in various orchestral, jazz, recording, and church settings.  He is a former member of the acclaimed Fountain City Brass Band, recently named champions in the 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2010 North American Brass Band Championships. 

In April of 2009, Nathan was one of six international tenor trombone participants selected by Joseph Alessi, principal trombone of the New York Philharmonic, to take part in the prestigious Alessi Seminar in Albuquerque, New Mexico.  Nathan was also a participant of this bi-annual event in 2007. He has been a finalist in competitions including the Eastern Trombone Workshop Solo Competition, Zellmer-Minnesota Orchestra International Trombone Competition, and the International Trombone Association Van Haney Competition.  Nathan was a winner of the Fort Dodge Symphony Concerto Competition and was a Spotlight Series winner while attending the University of Northern Iowa.

His jazz experience includes performances at the Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Paris Jazz Festival, and the International Association of Jazz Educators conference.  He has performed on stage backing up artists such as Robin Eubanks, Ray Anderson, Rich Perry, Nicholas Payton, Ernie Andrews, Eric Reed, and Karrin Allyson.
 
Nathan serves as principal trombone of the Charlottesville & University Symphony Orchestra and is on the faculty of the University of Virginia.  He is a former member of the Des Moines Symphony, Saint Joseph Symphony, Lee’s Summit Symphony, and Liberty Symphony.  Nathan has performed regularly with members of the Kansas City Symphony including the Kansas City Symphony Brass Ensemble.  His primary teachers include JoDee Davis, Roger Oyster, Nancy Vogt, Paul Pollard, Paul McKee, and Bruce Tychinski.

 

I-Jen Fang, timpani & percussion
if4n@virginia.edu

The James E. & Yolonda T. Roberts Chair

I-Jen Fang was born in Taipei, Taiwan and began her musical education at age six taking piano. Taking up percussion at the age of nine, she came to the United States at age fifteen to pursue her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in Percussion Performance at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Later, she received her Master of Music degree from Northwestern University and her Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of North Texas where she served as a teaching fellow. Her principle teachers include Tim Adams, Michael Burritt, Christopher Deane, Mark Ford, Paul Rennick, Robert Schietroma, Ed Smith and Ed Soph.

As a percussionist, Ms. Fang has performed or recorded with artists such as Keiko Abe, William Cahn, Mark Ford, Mike Mainieri, Michael Spiro, Nanik Wenton and Nyoman Wenton. She was a guest marimba soloist with the Taiwan Youth Orchestra in Austria, France, Hungary, Romania, and South Africa. Also, she has performed as a soloist with the Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic in Carnegie Music Hall in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. As a pianist, she was a winner of the Pittsburgh Concert Society Young Artist Competition. In 2003, she was a featured performer with the Bain Percussion Group at the Percussive Arts Society International Convention (PASIC). In that same year, she was selected as a marimba soloist to perform in the Marimba Mania Concert at the 6 èmes Journées de la Percussion in Paris, France. In 2004 she performed at PASIC as one of the finalists in the Solo Vibraphone Competition. In 2005 she was invited to perform on the Gamelan Gender Wayang at PASIC 2005.

Ms. Fang has performed with many ensembles, which include the Taiwan National Symphony Orchestra, Taiwan Youth Orchestra, North Texas Wind Symphony, UNT Indoor Drumline, Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, Northwestern Contemporary Music Ensemble, Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic, Carnegie Mellon University Wind Ensemble, UNT Steelband, South Indian, Gamelan, Afro-Cuban, contemporary and classical percussion ensembles, and is a member of a percussion quartet, the Bain Percussion Group. She has been involved with recording eleven CDs and a DVD with the North Texas Wind Symphony on the Klavier and GIA labels.


Anastasia Jellison, harp
aij2n@virginia.edu

The Jefferson Trust Chair

Anastasia Jellison holds a Bachelor of Music Degree from the Cleveland Institute of Music, where she studied with Alice Chalifoux, principal harp of the Cleveland Orchestra for 47 years. In 1999 she completed her Master of Music Degree in Harp Performance at the Shepherd School of Music, Rice University, under the instruction of Paula Page, principal harpist of the Houston Symphony.

Miss Jellison has extensive experience as an orchestral harpist. She has played with the Houston Symphony, the Houston Ballet, the Houston Grand Opera, the Knoxville Symphony, Richmond Symphony, Virginia Symphony, Opera Roanoke, and with several other ensembles throughout Texas, Ohio, and Virginia. She has toured Europe with the North Carolina School of the Arts, attended the International Festival-Institute at Round Top in Round Top, TX, and has traveled to Japan with the Pacific Music Festival. She was a member of the Lancaster Music Festival in Ohio from 2000-2007 before joining the faculty of the Brevard Summer Institute and Festival in North Carolina in the summer of 2008. Miss Jellison has also played with the Shenandoah Valley Bach Festival for the past three summers and in 2008 was featured as a soloist performing the Ginastera Harp Concerto. She debuted with the Roanoke Symphony for the 50th Anniversary Concert in a performance of the Bartok Concerto for Orchestra. She was named principal harp of the RSO in 2005.

Anastasia worked as a full-time harp teacher for the Richmond Public School System from 2001-2003 and was Director of the Roanoke Youth Symphony Harp Ensemble from 2003-2007. She currently teaches at the University of Richmond, University of Virginia, College of William and Mary, and Washington and Lee University. She also instructs private students from Richmond, Roanoke, and Williamsburg.