Faculty

OAcademy’s Learning Components are co-designed and led by a select group of orchestra principals, international soloists, and industry leaders.

Studio Heads

At the heart of OAcademy’s performance instruction is the Studio Faculty; it consists of world-class musicians that guide the learning journey for Fellows through group and individual lessons.

Violin Studio Head
Nikki Chooi

Buffalo Philharmonic | Concertmaster

Violin Studio Head
Shari Mason

Mexico National Symphony Orchestra | Concertmaster

Viola Studio Head
Milan Milisavljević

The MET Opera | Principal Viola

Cello Studio Head
Joel Noyes

The MET Opera | Assistant Principal Cello

Cello Studio Head
Ilmari Hopkins

Stavanger Symphony | Principal Cello

Double Bass Studio Head
Alexandra Scott

University of Munich | Professor of Double Bass

Double Bass Studio Head
Dominic Seldis

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Principal Bass

Flute Studio Head
Kelly Zimba Lukić

Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Principal Flute

Flute Studio Head
Leone Buyse

Boston Symphony | Former Acting Principal Flute

Oboe Studio Head
Miriam Pastor Burgos

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Solo English Horn

Clarinet Studio Head
Arno Piters

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Solo E-flat Clarinet

Clarinet Studio Head
Michael Webster

Rochester Philharmonic | Principal Clarinet

Bassoon Studio Head
Simon Van Holen

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Solo Contrabassoon

Trumpet Studio Head
Matilda Lloyd

Aubier International Trumpet Competition Winner

Trumpet Studio Head
Miro Petkov

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Principal Trumpet

Low Brass Studio Head
Martin Schippers

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Trombone

French Horn Studio Head
Katy Woolley

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Principal Horn

Harp Studio Head
Elizabeth Hainen

Philadelphia Orchestra | Principal Harp

Percussion Studio Head
Beibei Wang

International Soloist

Percussion Studio Head
Rob Knopper

The MET Opera | Percussion

Percussion Studio Head
Gabriela Jiménez

Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería | Principal Timpani

Piano Lab Lead Artist
Gabriela Montero

Cleveland Institute of Music | Piano Faculty

OAcademy Music Director
Carlos Miguel Prieto

North Carolina Symphony | Music Director

Composing Studio Lead Artist
Gabriela Ortiz

Grammy Award Winner

Faculty Roster

Using the benefits of blended learning, OAcademy Fellows get the opportunity to learn weekly from a pool of +200 faculty, connecting on the same day with tutors from the Berlin Philharmonic and the LA Philharmonic. Iconic soloists work with Fellows on interpretation and technique, while hand-picked guest conductors share insights on repertoire.