Artistic Staff and Faculty
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Russell Stanger
Artistic Director EmeritusRussell Stanger is the Artistic Director Emeritus for the School of Orchestral Studies. This year will be his 27th summer. Mr. Stanger is Conductor Laureate of the Virginia Philharmonic, and a former Associate Conductor of the New York Philharmonic under Leonard Bernstein. He has conducted both the Boston and the Philadelphia Orchestras during his distinguished career, and is an internationally noted composer and conductor.
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Luis Biava
Principal ConductorLuis Biava rejoins the School of Orchestra Studies Artistic Staff bringing many years of experience as a professional musician, conductor and teacher. Born in South America, he studied at the Atlantic University in Colombia, The Manhattan School of Music in New York and the Accademia di St. Cecilia in Rome. He joined the National Symphony in Washington DC in 1963, became a Philadelphia Orchestra violin section member in 1968 and was appointed Principal Second Violin in 1984. He has also served as Cover Conductor, Assistant Conductor and Conductor-in-Residence for the Philadelphia Orchestra.
Maestro Biava is currently Artistic Director and Conductor of the Temple University Symphony Orchestra and the Temple University Youth Chamber Orchestra. He is also Artistic Director and Conductor of the National Symphony Orchestra of Colombia, Senior Artistic Administrator and Conductor of the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan and the Artistic and Musical Director of the FOSJA/Casals Festival in Puerto Rico. He has instituted a cultural exchange with the String Orchestra of the Puerto Rico Conservatory of Music and has been Music Director of the Orchestra Society of Philadelphia. He founded the Philarte String Quartet and was the first violinist with the Philadelphia Chamber Ensemble. He guest conducts throughout the world including all the Americas, Europe and Asia.
In addition to Maestro Stanger and Luis Biava, the faculty will include principals and members of The Philadelphia Orchestra as well as highly regarded music educators. Conrad Kuchay will conduct the wind ensemble. Patricia Koppeis and Phil Preddice will co-conduct the string orchestra.
A highly qualified counseling staff provides additional instrumental coaching as well as a full recreational program. Students are housed on the Skidmore College campus. The warm, mutually supportive environment, which the staff creates, allows students to achieve the maximum in personal development.
Although the instruction in the School is of the highest professional level, the School is not designed to be a conservatory of music. Its main purpose is to provide gifted orchestral students the opportunity to live and work, in a very professional atmosphere, as members of a symphony orchestra. While individual development as soloists is encouraged, the main emphasis is upon ensemble performance.
The Philadelphia Orchestra
- Richard Amoroso, Violin
- Mark Gigliotti, Bassoon
- Don Liuzzi, Timpan
- Jonathan Blumenfeld, Oboe
- Jennifer Haas, Violin
- Hal Robinson, Bass
- Blair Bollinger, Trombone
- Elizabeth Hainen, Harp
- Kerri Ryan, Viola
- David Cramer, Woodwinds
- Carol Jantsch, Tuba
- Paul Roby, Violin
- Paul Demers, Clarinet
- Phil Kates, Violin
- Henry Scott, Bass
- Gloria de Pasquale, Cello
- Yumi Kendall, Cello
- Kazuo Tokito, Flute
- Chris Deviney, Percussion
- Jeffry Kirschen, Horn
- Matthew Vaughn, Trombone
- Robert Earley, Trumpet