Music in Bloom: Meet Our Musicians!
On May 16, 2020, join the THSO for Music in Bloom: A Celebration of Spring for the Wabash Valley, a live-stream concert event at www.thso.org! We will feature 10 fabulous musicians from the orchestra as they perform some of their favorite music.
Meet our musicians below!
Daniel Aizenshtadt, Concertmaster
Daniel Aizenshtadt, Concertmaster
Israeli-born violinist Daniel Aizenshtadt currently holds the Concertmaster position with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. He made his solo debut with the Israeli Camerata at age 11 and has performed solo concerts with several notable orchestras such as the Israeli Philharmonic, the Haifa Symphony Orchestra, the Rishon Letzion Symphony Orchestra, the L’european Romantique, the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic, and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Daniel began his violin studies with his mother, Tania Aizenshtadt. Receiving full scholarships, he pursued his undergraduate degree at the New England Conservatory under Miriam Fried and his Master’s degree at Rice University with Cho-Liang Lin. Daniel is currently pursuing the prestigious Artist Diploma degree under the tutelage of Grigory Kalinovsky at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music.
Daniel was awarded the coveted first prize of The Aviv Competition in 2014 and was a recipient of several scholarships from the America-Israel Cultural Foundation (AICF). As an Aviv Competition prizewinner, Daniel received a generous instrument loan from Yehuda Zisapel’s private instrument collection, a beautiful violin made by G.F Pressenda in 1823. He currently plays this instrument when performing with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra. Daniel has also collaborated with several notable artists such as Yuri Bashmet, Nobuko Imai, Shlomo Mintz, and Vadim Gluzman.
Toby Elser, violin
Tobias Elser began his violin studies at the age of 5 in Ithaca, NY. Elser received his bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance from Oberlin Conservatory in 2018 and his Master’s of Music Degree from Indiana University in 2020. While at Indiana University, Elser alongside classmates from the Jacobs School of Music formed the Dior Quartet. The Dior Quartet has won prizes at several national competitions, including the bronze medal at the Fischoff International Chamber Music Competition and the 1st prize in the piano and strings division at the Plowman National Chamber Competition. Elser has had the pleasure of playing with ensembles such as the Cleveland Orchestra, and the International Contemporary Ensemble in New York. He has attended a number of orchestra and chamber music festivals as an orchestra and chamber fellow such as the Ojai Music Festival, as a member of the Oberlin Contemporary Ensemble, Colorado College Summer Music Festival, Festival Napa Valley Music Academy, and Dali International Music Festival. Besides practicing and performing on violin, Elser enjoys improvising on piano and hiking in his free time.
Toby Elser, violin
Yuri Santos, violin
Yuri Santos, violin
A native of Brazil, violinist Yuri Santos began his musical studies at the age of eight under the tutelage of his father, Ênio Antunes, at Arte do Som - Escola e Estilos in São Paulo. Upon moving to the U.S. in 2012, he was accepted into the A. W. Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, FL and continued his studies under Carol Cole at Lynn University’s Preparatory School of Music.
Some of Yuri’s accomplishments include 1st prize at the 2013 South Florida Young Artist Solo Competition, 1st prize at the 2014 FFMC Violin Competition, the Music Society of Coral Lakes and Edward H. Benenson awards in 2016, as well as a performance in the Isaac Stern Auditorium at Carnegie Hall. He has also had the pleasure of performing in masterclasses led by internationally renowned musicians including Elizabeth Pitcairn, Elmar Oliveira, Ani Kavafian, Noah Bendix-Balgley, Chee-Yun Kim, Augustin Hadelich, Kyung Sun Lee, and Svetlin Roussev.
An avid chamber musician, Yuri took part of the Dior Quartet during their 2019-2020 Kuttner Student String Quartet Residency at Indiana University, mentored by the Pacifica Quartet. Most recently, they were fully sponsored to partake in the Britten-Pears program in Snape Maltings, UK , along with a week-long residency in Beethoven-Haus Bonn as the winners of the 2019 Bonn Quartet Competition.
As of May, 2020, Yuri has acquired his Bachelor's degree in violin performance at the Indiana University - Jacobs School of Music under Kevork Mardirossian, violin, and Mark Holloway, viola.
SeungAh Hong, Principal Cello
“...SeungAh Hong added her sumptuous, golden tone to beautiful cello solos and played the continuo part in the baroque pieces with intelligence and strong underpinning.” -The Republic
“...the cello solo reminiscent of Brahms lieder was played beautifully by SeungAh Hong. As the piano entered the interweaving of singing lines was magical.” -The Republic
“...Schumann cello concerto brought to life by South Korean Cellist Hong who negotiated her way through this warm and embracing concerto with a blend of verve and elegance...the result being a richly lyrical reading of a Romantic master work.” -The Bloomington Herald-Times
A first prize winner of the 2018 Indianapolis Matinee Musicale Competition, 2017 Kuttner quartet competition, the 2016 IU Cello Concerto competition, the 2014 Kumho Asiana Young Artist Concert Audition, the 2012 Ujung Arts Center Rising Star Concert, and the 2009 Ewon Arts Center Young Artist Auditions, SeungAh Hong has been praised for her distinctive sound, poetic interpretation, intensely expressive music making, and commanding stage presence.
Born in Korea, Ms. Hong began cello lessons at the age of 6. She continued her studies with Hyeong-Won Chang and Kangho Lee. Based on her distinguished artistic and academic accomplishments, she was awarded the Kookmin Bank’s Artistic Excellence Scholarship at the Korea National University of Arts. Since 2014, she has been studying with cellist Peter Stumpf. Since 2017, she has been studying with baroque cellist Joanna Blendulf at the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where she is a graduate assistant and a recipient of the prestigious full-tuition Eva Heinitz Scholarship and Artistic Excellence Award.
She graduated from Indiana University’s highly selective Artist Diploma program in 2017, and she was the cellist of the Kuttner quartet-in-residence from 2017-2018. She is currently pursuing a Masters degree in both cello and baroque cello performance while serving as the Principal Cellist of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra.
SeungAh Hong, Principal Cello
Samantha Johnson-Helms, Principal Clarinet
Samantha Johnson-Helms, Principal Clarinet
Hailed for her "great dynamic sensitivity and exquisite phrasing," Samantha Johnson-Helms is a sought after collaborative musician and teacher. She currently serves as Principal Clarinet of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra and the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and has been featured as a concerto soloist with the Butler University Symphony Orchestra, the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, and the Columbus Symphony Orchestra of Indiana. In addition to her position as Principal Clarinet with the THSO, she also serves as Personnel Manager and Marketing Manager.
Samantha is a sought after substitute for ensembles in the Midwest and can be heard on recordings for Naxos and Hal Leonard. She is a founding member of the award winning clarinet quartet, the Novacane Quartet, and holds a Bachelor of Music degree from Butler University and a Masters from Indiana University. She is currently a candidate for the degree Doctor of Music at Indiana University.
Chad Roseland, Principal Bassoon
Chad Roseland holds a B.A. degree in music from Luther College, and an M.M. degree and D.M.A. (abd) from the University of Arizona. In addition he received the honorable mention designation in the Music Teachers National Association-Wurlitzer Collegiate Competition. Roseland has performed with the Arizona Opera Company, the Tuscon Symphony Orchestra, and others. Roseland teaches courses in music theory and applied bassoon, performs as bassoonist with the ISU Faculty Woodwind Quintet, and as principal bassoon with the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra.
Brian Kilp, Principal Horn
Brian Kilp, Principal Horn
Originally from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area, Dr. Brian Kilp joined the faculty of Indiana State University in 1998 where he is Professor of Music/Horn. He was appointed Visiting Guest Professor of Horn of the Shenyang and Dalian Conservatories of Music, Visiting Guest Professor at Rajabhat Maha Sarakham University in Thailand, and was awarded Honorary Doctorates from Rajabhat Maha Sarakham and Suan Sunandha Rajabhat Universities. Brian has presented master classes, lectured, and performed at conservatories and universities in China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Thailand, Austria, Croatia, France, and Hungary.
Brian is a founding member of The Ambassador Brass, which from 2012-2018 has toured in Asia and Europe. He is also founding member of the violin, horn, piano trio Trio Bella Voce with whom he has toured and offered clinics in the U.S., China, Thailand, and Singapore. A champion of new music, he has commissioned over 18 works featuring the horn.
He has been Principal Horn, Orchestra Manager, and on the Faculty, of the Classical Music Festival Orchestra in Eisenstadt, Austria, from 2000 to present, and is now a member of the Board. Currently, he is third horn of the MahlerFest Orchestra (Boulder), Principal Horn of the Terre Haute and the Danville Symphony Orchestras, and is a member of Keith Brion’s New Sousa Band,. Brian is a very busy freelance hornist in the Indiana region, and has performed with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Opera, Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra, Lafayette Symphony, Evansville Philharmonic, and various other ensembles.
Randy Mitchell, Principal Trombone
Dr. Randy Mitchell has served as the principal trombone of the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra for 29 years. As Professor of Music and instructor of Trombone and Euphonium, he has also taught at Indiana State University for 29 years. He is a member of the ISU Faculty Brass Quintet and Faculty Winds. Before coming to ISU, he taught on the faculty at four other universities including a doctoral teaching fellowship at the University of North Texas. Throughout his teaching career, he has directed Marching Bands, Jazz Ensembles, Concert Bands and Chamber Groups. He holds degrees from Indiana State University, the University of Louisville and the University of North Texas.
Dr. Mitchell was a featured soloist with the THSO in 2003. He has served as principal trombone of the Danville, IL Symphony Orchestra and the Champaign/Urbana Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, he has performed in the Lafayette Symphony Orchestra and the South Bend Symphony. He also served a term on the Terre Haute Symphony Board and worked with youth outreach. In addition to symphonic performances, he played as a local sideman for such artists as: Vic Damone, Marvin Hamlisch, Nancy Wilson, Brenda Lee, Boots Randolph, Floyd Cramer, Barbara Eden, Marilyn McCoo, B.J. Thomas, Dean Martin’s Gold Diggers, Clyde McCoy, the Letterman, the Mid-Town Men, and the Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra.
Dr. Mitchell has performed in Germany, Austria, China, Thailand, Taiwan and Vietnam. From 1991-2012, He was an artist/clinician for Conn, Benge and King trombones, divisions of the Conn-Selmer, Inc.
Randy Mitchell, Principal Trombone
Keegan Sheehy, Principal Percussion
Keegan Sheehy, Principal Percussion
Keegan Sheehy, principal percussionist in the Terre Haute Symphony Orchestra, originally hails from northeast Massachusetts. He earned an undergraduate degree from Ithaca College in Ithaca, NY, and graduate with degrees from Indiana University. He has performed in diverse settings including the Percussive Arts Society International Convention, Make Music Nashville, Pittsburgh Festival of New Music, Make Music New York, the Center for Advanced Musical Studies at Chosen Vale, GrassRoots Festival of Music and Dance, and the Midwest Composers Symposium. An enthusiastic advocate for new music, Keegan has commissioned and premiered over 20 new works, including two percussion concerti.
In addition to the THSO, Keegan is a member of the Evansville Philharmonic Orchestra and occasionally performs with numerous other orchestras in Indiana and Kentucky. He also works on the administrative staff in the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music. Outside of music, Keegan is an avid film buff, and enjoys hiking and exploring National Parks.
Timothy Stephenson, Principal Keyboard
A native of Boston, Massachusetts, Timothy Stephenson started his piano career at the age of eight and has been described as “a very thoughtful and sensitive musician – he has a bit of old-school elegance that is increasingly rare.” (The Chautauquan Daily)
Having received top prizes in over a dozen international and local competitions, Mr. Stephenson has most recently been featured as a soloist on stage at Aspen’s Harris Hall. He has worked with several renowned conductors, including Timothy Muffet and Thomas Wilkins, and made his professional Midwest debut in February 2019, with a performance of Grieg’s piano concerto, under the baton of David Bowden with the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic. An avid collaborator, his violin-piano duo Stephenson|Gan made their Carnegie Hall debut in May 2017, with a showcase recital in Weill Recital Hall.
Mr. Stephenson is currently pursuing a doctoral degree in piano at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music with renowned pianist and teacher Norman Krieger. Past studies include degrees under the tutelage of Read Gainsford at Florida State University. He has appeared in masterclasses with Jerome Lowenthal, Paul Lewis, Ian Hobson, Alexander Gavrylyuk, Logan Skelton, Alexander Korsantia, and Arnaldo Cohen, with summers at the Aspen Music Festival and School, Chautauqua Institution, and Pianofest in the Hamptons.
Timothy Stephenson, Principal Keyboard