Studio Heads

OAcademy Studios are a cornerstone of the learning experience. Each exclusive four-person studio pairs Fellows with a dedicated mentor in their field, creating a focused environment for artistic growth, technical refinement, and close professional guidance.

Studio Heads are drawn from the world’s leading concert stages as solo artists and ensemble leaders. Together, they give Fellows direct access to the experience, insight, and professional readiness needed to shape today’s music world.

Violin Studio Head

Rimma Benyumova

Frankfurt Radio Symphony | Concertmaster

Violin Studio Head

Andrea Obiso

Accademia Nazionale di Santa Cecilia | Concertmaster

Violin Studio Head

Nikki Chooi

Buffalo Philharmonic | Concertmaster

Violin Studio Head

Shari Mason

Mexico National Symphony Orchestra | Concertmaster

Violin Studio Head

Timothy Chooi

Joachim Competition | Winner

Viola Studio Head

Milan Milisavljević

The MET Opera | Principal Viola

Viola Studio Head

Sara Ferrández

Mutter Virtuosi

Viola Studio Head

Tal First

The MET Opera | Assistant Principal Viola

Viola Studio Head

Lech Antonio Uszynski

Royal Conservatoire The Hague | Viola Faculty

Cello Studio Head

Rebecca Gilliver

London Symphony Orchestra | Principal Cello

Cello Studio Head

Raphaela Gromes

Sony Artist

Cello Studio Head

Ilmari Hopkins

Stavanger Symphony | Co-Principal Cello

Double Bass Studio Head

Dominic Seldis

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Principal Bass

Double Bass Studio Head

Lorraine Campet

Paris Opera | Principal Bass

Double Bass Studio Head

Sasha Witteveen

Netherlands Philharmonic Orchestra | Principal Double Bass

Flute Studio Head

Leone Buyse

Boston Symphony | Former Acting Principal Flute

Flute Studio Head

Kelly Zimba Lukić

Toronto Symphony Orchestra | Principal Flute

Flute Studio Head

Herman van Kogelenberg

Munich Philharmonic Orchestra | Principal Flute

Flute Studio Head

Zofia Neugebauer

Berlin Classics Artist

Oboe Studio Head

Hélène Devilleneuve

Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France | Principal Oboe

Oboe Studio Head

Alexander Krimer

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Oboe

Clarinet Studio Head

Jessica Phillips

The MET Opera | Clarinet

Clarinet Studio Head

Sérgio Pires

London Symphony Orchestra | former Principal Clarinet

Clarinet Studio Head

Arno Piters

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Solo E-flat Clarinet

Clarinet Studio Head

Michael Webster

Rochester Philharmonic | former 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

Lucienne Renaudin Vary

Warner Classics Artist

Trumpet Studio Head

Pacho Flores

Deutsche Grammophon Artist

French Horn Studio Head

Michelle Baker

The MET Opera | former Horn

French Horn Studio Head

Matías Piñeira

Munich Philharmonic | Principal Horn

French Horn Studio Head

Hugo Valverde

The MET Opera | Horn

French Horn Studio Head

Kateřina Javůrková

Czech Philharmonic | Horn

Low Brass Studio Head

David Rejano

Los Angeles Philharmonic | Principal Trombone

Low Brass Studio Head

Martin Schippers

Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra | Trombone

Harp Studio Head

Elizabeth Hainen

Philadelphia Orchestra | Principal Harp

Harp Studio Head

Katherine Siochi

San Francisco Symphony | Principal Harp

Percussion Studio Head

Beibei Wang

Royal Academy Honoree

Percussion Studio Head

Rob Knopper

The MET Opera | Percussion

Percussion Studio Head

Gabriela Jiménez

Orquesta Sinfónica de Minería | Principal Timpani

Mandolin Studio Head

Alon Sariel

Pentatone Artist

Composing Lead Artist

Gabriela Ortiz

4x Grammy Award Winner

Conducting Lead Artist

Carlos Miguel Prieto

North Carolina Symphony | Music Director

Piano Lab Lead Artist

Gabriela Montero

Latin Grammy Winner

Masterclass Artist