How did your experience with the Civic Orchestra shape your personal and professional development as a musician?
Playing in the Civic Orchestra gave me a chance to collaborate with other highly skilled players and get more experience as a principal. All of the conductors I worked with in my short time were very inspiring. Performing Brandenburg Concerto No. 6 as part of the Bach Marathon was a very special experience. I felt I grew musically and pushed myself in ways I hadn’t in a while.
What advice would you give to current Civic Orchestra members or aspiring musicians looking to make their mark in the industry?
Play for as many people as you can, and take advantage of any collaboration/connection with the CSO. I made sure to get advice and mentorship from my colleagues and from CSO members so that I could stay laser focused on my goals.
What are you currently working on in your music career, and what excites you most about it?
I am in my second season with the Sarasota Orchestra, and we just named our music director designate, Giancarlo Guerrero. I am so excited about the new life he is able to bring to the orchestra and the community. He is exactly what we need. I look forward to performing Shostakovich’s 5th symphony with him later in the season. He has made pieces that I’ve played many times in my life feel brand new to me, and I think much of the orchestra feels the same way.
