The Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is dedicated to maintaining live orchestral music and a full-scale symphonic orchestra as an integral part of the cultural and educational life of the New Orleans area, the entire state of Louisiana, and the Gulf South region. Formed in 1991, the LPO is the oldest full-time musician-governed and collaboratively-operated orchestra in the United States.
As the only full-time professional orchestra in Louisiana, the LPO’s purpose is to provide the citizens of our state with innovative, high-quality classical music performance experiences and education programming.
Musicians
| Carlos Miguel Prieto |
Music Director Adelaide Wisdom Benjamin Music Director and Principal Conductor |
VIOLINS |
|
| vacant |
Concertmaster The Edward D. and Louise L. Levy Concertmaster Chair |
| Benjamin Hart | Associate Concertmaster |
| Hannah Yim | Assistant Concertmaster |
| Byron Tauchi |
Principal Second Violin The Helen W. Burns Principal Second Violin Chair |
| Xiao Fu | Assistant Principal Second Violin |
| Qi Cao | |
| Zorica Dimova | |
| Judith Armistead Fitzpatrick | |
| Eva Liebhaber | |
| Janeta Mavrova | |
| Kurt Munstedt | |
| Elizabeth Overweg | |
| Gabriel Platica | |
| Yaroslav Rudnytsky | |
| Yuki Tanaka | |
| Benjamin Thacher | |
| Kate Withrow | |
| Sarah Yen |
VIOLAS |
|
| Richard Woehrle |
Principal The Abby Ray Catledge and Byrne Lucas Ray Principal Viola Chair |
| Bruce Owen | Assistant Principal |
| Amelia Clingman | |
| Valborg Gross | |
| Ila Rondeau | |
| Carole Shand | |
| Tyler Sieh |
CELLOS |
|
| Jonathan Gerhardt |
Principal The Edward B. Benjamin Principal Cello Chair |
| Daniel Lelchuk | Assistant Principal |
| Rachel Hsieh | |
| Jeanne Jaubert | |
| Kent Jensen | |
| David Rosen | |
| Dimitri Vychko |
BASSES |
|
| David Anderson |
Principal The Hugo C. Wedemeyer Principal Bass Chair |
| William Schettler | Assistant Principal |
| Matthew Abramo | |
| Paul Macres | |
| Ben Wheeler |
FLUTES |
|
| Patrick Williams | Principal |
| Patti Adams |
Assistant Principal Richard C. and Nancy Link Adkerson Flute Chair |
| Sarah Schettler |
PICCOLO |
|
| Patti Adams | |
OBOES |
|
| Jaren Atherholt |
Principal The Ranney and Emel Songu Mize Principal Oboe Chair |
| Jane Gabka | Assistant Principal |
| Michael McGowan | |
ENGLISH HORN |
|
| Michael McGowan | |
CLARINETS |
|
| Christopher Pell | Principal |
| Stephanie Thompson | Assistant Principal |
| John Reeks | |
E-FLAT CLARINET |
|
| Stephanie Thompson | |
BASS CLARINET |
|
| John Reeks | |
BASSOONS |
|
| Jack Peña | Principal |
| Benjamin Atherholt | Assistant Principal |
| Michael Matushek | |
CONTRABASSOON |
|
| Benjamin Atherholt | |
HORNS |
|
| Mollie Pate | Principal |
| Josiah Bullach | Assistant Principal |
| Matthew Eckenhoff | |
| Amy Krueger | |
| Kevin Winter | |
TRUMPETS |
|
| Vance Woolf | Principal |
| vacant | Assistant Principal |
| Stephen Orejudos | The Pete Wolbrette Section Trumpet Chair |
TROMBONES |
|
| Greg Miller | Principal |
| Matthew Wright | |
| Evan Conroy | Bass trombone |
TUBA |
|
| Robert Nuñez | Principal |
TIMPANI |
|
| Jim Atwood | Principal |
PERCUSSION |
|
| Jacob Powers | Principal |
| David Salay | |
HARP |
|
| Rachel Van Voorhees Kirschman | Principal |
* denotes musicians that are on leave for the 2017-2018 season
¹ denotes acting in this position for the 2017-2018 season
The string section of the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra is listed alphabetically and participates in revolving seating.
