Interlochen Arts Camp announces 2023 Valade Concertmasters and Fellows
More than 30 leading classical musicians will provide mentorship to young artists as part of the 96th season of Interlochen Arts Camp.
Valade Concertmaster Celeste Golden works with students at Interlochen Arts Camp.
Interlochen Arts Camp has announced the 2023 Valade Concertmasters and Fellows, a lineup of world-class musicians who will mentor young artists as part of the 96th season of the renowned summer arts program.
“Every year, it is our privilege to welcome a roster of outstanding professional artists to conduct and teach at Arts Camp,” said Interlochen Director of Music Eric Stomberg. “We have a stellar lineup this summer, and our students will profoundly benefit from their passion and artistry.”
Valade Concertmasters, chosen from America’s most prestigious orchestras, come to Interlochen to serve as mentors and role models for violinists in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Interlochen Philharmonic, and other student ensembles. They participate in rehearsals and draw from decades of orchestral leadership experience to guide the next generation of violin players and concertmasters.
The Valade Fellows are an elite group of teaching artists from around the world who provide mentorship to Interlochen woodwind, brass, percussion, and string students. Like the Valade Concertmasters, the Valade Fellows attend rehearsals, lead sectionals, and offer instrument-specific perspectives on a variety of musical and professional topics.
The Valade Master Teacher Endowment was made possible through the generosity of Arts Camp alumna Margaret Valade and her husband, Gary Valade, a life trustee of Interlochen Center for the Arts. A vital source of funding for recruiting and retaining sought-after faculty, the endowment has supported the Valade Fellows since 2005 and the Valade Concertmasters since 2015.
Interlochen Arts Camp previously announced the World Youth Symphony Orchestra’s 2023 conductors and repertoire. Leading conductors JoAnn Falletta, Cristian Măcelaru, Erina Yashima, Jader Bignamini, Gemma New, and Jung-Ho Pak will work with Interlochen’s students. Their repertoire includes symphonies from Beethoven, Mahler, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and more. The season will close with the traditional performance of Franz Liszt’s “Les Préludes.”
Interlochen Arts Camp is the nation’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts program, where emerging artists transform passion and potential into purpose. Guided by internationally renowned artists, campers ages 8 to 18 study music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, and film in a glorious, natural setting with like-minded peers.
Interlochen Arts Camp 2023 is still accepting applications; availability is limited and prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.
Concertmasters
Margaret Batjer
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
Celeste Golden
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Martin Chalifour
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Dennis Kim
Pacific Symphony
Timothy Lees
Former Concertmaster, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Jeff Thayer
San Diego Symphony
Fellows
Sharon Sparrow
Assistant Principal Flute, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Roitstein
Associate Principal Flute, Houston Symphony Orchestra
Linda Strommen
Professor of Oboe, Indiana University
Pedro Díaz
Oboe/English Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
YaoGuang Zhai
Principal Clarinet, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
Keith Buncke
Principal Bassoon, Chicago Symphony Orchestra
William Short
Principal Bassoon, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
Zach Shemon
Associate Professor of Saxophone, University of Missouri-Kansas City
Tim McAllister
Professor of Saxophone, University of Michigan
Bruce Henniss
Associate Professor of Horn, Ohio State University
Brad GemeinHardt
Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
John Aley
Professor of Trumpet, University of Wisconsin (retired)
Caleb Hudson
Assistant Professor of Trumpet, University of North Texas; Member, Canadian Brass
Mark Lusk
Professor of Trombone, Penn State University
Ben Green
Trombone, Bern Symphony Orchestra
Philip Sinder
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Michigan State University
David Zerkel
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Michigan
Ross Karre
Associate Professor of Percussion, Oberlin Conservatory
Keith Aleo
Instructor of Percussion, Interlochen Arts Academy
Christian Colberg
Former Concertmaster, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Eric Nowlin
Principal Viola, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Natalie Helm
Principal Cello, Sarasota Orchestra
Melissa Kraut
Cello Department Co-Chair, Cleveland Institute of Music
Kurt Muroki
Professor of Double Bass, Indiana University
Lawrence P. Hurst
Professor of Strings, Indiana University (retired)