Orchestra Roster - AIMS Graz

The 2022 Orchestra Roster will be posted on March 5, 2022.

2020 AIMS Festival Orchestra Roster

Conductors

Lukas Beikircher
Marzio Conti
Marius Stieghorst

Updated March 9, 2020

VIOLIN

Heather Wittels, Concertmaster
Sondra Brudnak, Assistant Concertmaster
Barrie Cooper, Principal 2nd Violin
Jason Bendler
David Brill
Cecilia Cooper
Daniel Fields
Anna Kelleher
Judith Kim
Yeji Kim
Mayu Kuroda Cipriano
Inna Langerman
Genevieve Parent
Barbara Schaefer
Leina Sheehy
Angela Sulzer
Adam Woodward
Xiaowan Wu

VIOLA

Cora Sell, Principal
Lydia Cheung
Annika Donnen
William Ford-Smith
Mary Harrah
Zachary Kessler
Ji young Nam
Ho Fei Ng

CELLO

Anthony Kitai, Principal
Fiona Burdette
Catherine Chu
Rebecca Gilmore
Danielle Karppala
Nina Pitts
Thomas Smith
Sarah Zhou

BASS

Jessica Grabbe, Principal
Jacob Kolodny
Brandon Smith
Russell Thompson

FLUTE

David DiGiacobbe
Kimberly O’Hare Bonacorsa
Jennifer Tobin

OBOE

George Corbett
Alexandra Lynch
Theresa Zale Bridges

CLARINET

Randy Glasner
Phillip Solomon
David Thomas

BASSOON

Rick Barrantes
Samantha Epp
Dominic Panunto

HORN

Blaine Dodson
Martina Smith
Victor Valenzuela
Kyli White

TRUMPET

Omri Barak
Don Duncan
Daniel Gelman

TROMBONE

Hana Beloglavec
Juan Pardo Gil

BASS TROMBONE

Daniel Pendley

TUBA

Austin Ratliff

TIMPANI & PERCUSSION

James Jacobson, Principal
Matthew Flanders
Lee Hinkle

PIANO & CELESTE

Chao-Hwa Lin, Principal

HARP

Christine Heger
Mona Smale

ORCHESTRA STAFF

David DiGiacobbe, Manager & Woodwind Coordinator
Kimberly O’Hare Bonacorsa, Assistant Manager
Jessica Kunttu, Principal Librarian
Daniel Pendley, Stage Manager
David Thomas, Chamber Music Coordinator
Don Duncan, Brass Coordinator
James Jacobson, Percussion Coordinator
George Corbett, Audition Training Seminars

Everyone I had ever known who had gone to AIMS in the past couldn’t stop raving about it, and now I know why. It was my best summer ever!

trombone ’00-’01

AIMS has given me a true sense of where I need to work from – how I measure up and areas I need to strengthen for a future in classical singing. I learned more about my voice and how to maximize its use in one week at AIMS than I had in three years.

Eldric Bashful

tenor ’03, ’04, ’06

The music, the people I met, and the atmosphere were so incredible! My experience with AIMS is something that I will cherish for the rest of my life.

Jennifer Metheny

soprano ’97

I learned SO much and had a fabulous time with all my new friends, colleagues, and contacts. I am very thankful for all of the opportunities to sing that I was given.

Aidan Soder

mezzo-soprano ’99, Meistersinger Competition Finalist

During the six-week program at AIMS, I received voice lessons and coachings. I also took my first German class and became attracted to the German language. My affinity for German caused me to take a particular interest in its poetic-song companion, the Lied. It is an aspect within standard solo vocal literature that I admire. Mr. Harold Heiberg, my vocal coach at AIMS, who specialized in Lieder, taught me how to appreciate and utilize the language in song performance. This was my first in-depth experience with song interpretation that illuminated musical collaborations not only between the poet and composer, but also between the singer and pianist. It was an exciting time as a developing musician.

Makeda Hampton

soprano '05 & '06 - Opera Studio

I had the chance to work with so many good and serious singers as well as top-notch teachers…that alone was worth it, but I carried away so much from the program that the cost was minuscule compared to what I learned. Contrary to being burnt out by six weeks of intensive music studying, at the end of AIMS I was more eager than ever to go to my university’s music library and check out as many books on Lieder and opera as I could carry. I realized the true quality of the AIMS music instructors when the first book I checked out happened to be edited by not one, but five AIMS instructors.

Jeremy Peterman

student pianist ’03, ’04; staff pianist ’05- ’16

The AIMS experience is necessary for any opera singer that doesn’t want to just ’fall into’ the European music scene. With dedication and diligence, one can come away with a wealth of knowledge and preparation.

Marsha Thompson

soprano ’00; Meistersinger Competition Finalist

Acting and audition classes at AIMS had a direct and immediate impact on my career. I completed my first professional audition right after AIMS for the Salzburg Festival young artist program, and got offered a contract on the spot! I don’t think I could have achieved that result before my summer at AIMS. I would encourage any young, ambitious classical or opera singer to participate in AIMS. It certainly changed my life.

Alexandra Flood

soprano '13 - Meistersinger Finalist

The knowledge and guidance I received from the faculty has changed my perception of my own singing and artistry for the better. I feel as if I can walk out onto a stage, into an audition, and into the world with this new-found confidence. I’m more passionate about my dreams and have a burning desire to see them through.

Robert Cardwell

baritone '17 - Opera Studio

AIMS was a wonderful experience of learning, performing, and seeing a dedicated staff in action. I am personally better from being blessed to have had this opportunity. Many thoughts continue to filter down from this unique and outstanding musical studies program.

Nancy Marriott

soprano ’98 & '16 - Opera Studio

I am proud to say that I am passing on some of what I learned at AIMS to my students, who consistently win state and regional vocal competitions, secure leads in the opera at UM, and go on to graduate schools and conservatories in the US. Thanks for your inspiration!

Jo Ella Todd

soprano ’75, ’76

I want to thank all of you for being a vital part of my growth into an emerging professional artist. Being a part of AIMS last summer opened my eyes to the professional world of music and helped me understand who I am as an artist and what I needed to accomplish to transition from a student to a professional musician. Thank you SO much for inspiring me to work hard in the practice room; to connect my entire body when I perform; to walk into auditions not expecting anything but to have fun sharing my craft; and to go after career opportunities knowing that they will not come to me. I appreciate it more than words can express!

Kayla Bailey

soprano '13 - Opera Studio