Interlochen Arts Camp announces 2025 Valade Concertmasters and Fellows
Over 25 leading classical musicians will provide mentorship to young artists during the 98th season of Interlochen Arts Camp.
Interlochen Arts Camp has announced the 2025 Valade Concertmasters and Fellows, a lineup of world-class musicians who will mentor young artists as part of the 98th season of the renowned summer arts program.
“Each year, we welcome professional musicians from around the world to share their wisdom with our students,” said Interlochen Director of Music Eric Stomberg. “Whether rehearsing alongside young musicians or coaching them directly in solo or chamber music, they provide artistry and insights that inspire our students.”
Valade Concertmasters are chosen from America’s most prestigious orchestras. They 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. Concertmasters 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 is the nation’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts program, where emerging artists aged 8 to 18 are guided by internationally renowned artists—studying music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, and film in a glorious, natural setting with like-minded peers.
Interlochen Arts Camp 2025 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
Martin Chalifour
Los Angeles Philharmonic
Jeff Thayer
San Diego Symphony
Jun Iwasaki
Kansas City Symphony
Dennis Kim
Pacific Symphony
Fellows
Sharon Sparrow
Assistant Principal Flute, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Matthew Roitstein
Principal Flute, St. Louis Symphony
Linda Strommen
Professor of Oboe, Indiana University
Dwight Parry
Principal Oboe, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Gabriel Campos Zamora
Principal Clarinet, Minnesota Orchestra
Ted Soluri
Principal Bassoon, Dallas Symphony Orchestra
Tim McAllister
Professor of Saxophone, University of Michigan
Bruce Henniss
Associate Professor of Horn, Ohio State University
Brad GemeinHardt
Principal Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra
John Aley
Professor of Trumpet, University of Wisconsin (retired)
Caleb Hudson
Associate Professor of Trumpet, Butler School of Music, University of Texas at Austin
Marco Gomez
Bass Trombone Faculty 2023-2024, Royal Danish Orchestra (IAA 2015)
Ben Green
Trombone, Bern Symphony Orchestra
Philip Sinder
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Michigan State University
Matt Lyon
Assistant Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Ball State University
Christian Colberg
Principal Viola, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra
Eric Nowlin
Principal Viola, Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Natalie Helm
Principal Cello, Sarasota Orchestra
Kurt Muroki
Professor of Double Bass, Indiana University
Lawrence P. Hurst
Professor of Strings, Indiana University (retired)
