Chris Pinelo is the Vice President of Communications for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, which also performs as the Cincinnati Pops, and is an avid music-lover. Armed with his degree in operatic singing, he has delighted many a karaoke bar and plays just enough piano to be dangerous.

Released: August 1, 2019

The exciting 2019-2020 seasons for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops are upon us, but how does a season come together? How are concert programs built? How are guest artists identified and selected? On this episode of the podcast, - the first of a two-parter - we learn about the making of a season with CSO Director of Artistic Planning and Administration Nate Bachhuber and Pops Director of Artistic Planning Sam Strater.

Guests: Nate Bachhuber, Director of Artistic Planning and Administration, CSO & May Festival, Sam Strater Director of Artistic Planning, Cincinnati Pops

Director of Artistic Administration, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Nate Bachhuber hails from Wisconsin and holds Bachelor of Vocal Performance and Master of Opera degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Prior to his position at the CSO, he came from the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, where he has served as Artistic Administrator since April of 2014.

Cincinnati Pops Former Director of Artistic Administration

Sam worked for the CSO and Pops in various roles since 2006, and was the Director of Artistic Administration for the Cincinnati Pops from 2009-2019. After living in Northern Kentucky with his family for several years, he's recently moved back to his home state of Michigan and continues a programming consulting relationship with the Cincinnati Pops. 

Released: July 16, 2019

To kick-off the Orchestra’s 125th anniversary season, we present CSO Look Around, an immersive experience incorporating what’s akin to multiple flash mobs performing a diverse array of music — at times overlapping and interacting — and all inspired by the cultural tapestry that is Cincinnati. This two and a half hour celebration of the Queen City showcases more than 600 artists from 20 local ensembles, and culminates in a massive performance with the CSO conducted by Music Director Louis Langrée. Our guests on the podcast today are co-creators Shara Nova, Mark DeChiazza and Siri Imani.

Guests: Shara Nova, Look Around Co-creator | Mark DeChiazza, Look Around Co-creator | Siri Imani, Look Around Co-creator

Released: July 4, 2019

Voyage is the 96^th recording from the Cincinnati Pops and the first studio recording made at Music Hall following a major renovation draws. It draws inspiration from the stars and includes the world premiere recording of the title track by Academy Award-winning composer Michael Giacchino. His composition, Voyage, commemorates the 50^th anniversary of the Moon landing. On this episode, we talk to Pops Conductor John Morris Russell and Principal French Horn Elizabeth Freimuth about this exciting new release.

Guests: John Morris Russell, Pops Conductor | Elizabeth Freimuth, Principal French Horn, Mary M. & Charles F. Yeiser Chair

Released: June 21, 2019

For 99 years, CSO musicians have played a collaborative and pivotal role in Cincinnati Opera’s summer festival season. A major, fulltime orchestra also performing in the pit for an opera company is rare in this country, and the special nature of this relationship elevates the level of artistry opera goers enjoy each and every summer. On this episode, we talk to Cincinnati Opera’s Artistic Director Evans Mirageas about what this summer has to offer, as well as Cincinnati Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, who is on the podium for an exciting Cincinnati Opera world premiere.

Guests: Evans Mirageas, Cincinnati Opera Artistic Director | John Morris Russell, Cincinnati Pops Conductor

Released: June 7, 2019

As we bid farewell to longtime CSO Violist Steve Rosen, who is retiring after decades of dedicated service and artistry, we are also getting to know musicians new to the Orchestra like Caterina Longhi. On this episode we talk to these remarkable individuals, each at very different points in their respective careers, about their unique journeys.

Guests: Steven Rosen, Viola, Melinda and Irwin Simon Chair  | Caterina Longhi, Viola

Released: May 16, 2019

There are all kinds of studies that show singing in a group is good for your health and contributes to overall happiness. Assuming those studies ring true, the May Festival Chorus is one healthy, happy place to make music. Comprised of volunteer singers from throughout the Greater Cincinnati region, this ensemble is the artistic core of the intensive Cincinnati May Festival and serves as the official chorus for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops. On this episode, we find out what it’s like to surround yourself in song.

Guests: Robert Porco, Director of Choruses | Kristi Reed, Chorus Member | Matthew Swanson, Associate Director of Choruses

Released: May 8, 2019

Staff conductors play an important role in the life of an orchestra and that’s certainly true for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops. For the past four seasons, Keitaro Harada and Gene Chang have served the Orchestra, Cincinnati audiences and the broader community in myriad ways. These two distinguished artists are now moving on to the next phases of their respective careers, and on this episode we explore what their role has been, how they came to conductors, and what’s next on their journeys.

Guests: Keitaro Harada, Associate Conductor | Gene Chang, Associate Conductor

Released: April 23, 2019

The concertmaster, or first chair violin, plays a pivotal in an orchestra. Tim Lees held that important position for two decades with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, but retired recently due to injury. On this episode, we talk to Tim about his extraordinary tenure with the CSO and discuss what’s next on his journey. We also talk to Director of Orchestra Personnel Paul Pietrowski about this interim period, the process and purpose for getting guest concertmasters, and the search for the CSO’s next concertmaster.

Guests: Timothy Lees, CSO Concertmaster 1998-2018 | Paul Pietrowski, Director of Orchestra Personnel

Released: April 10, 2019

The Cincinnati May Festival features an extraordinary concentration of choral music and is one of the Queen City’s most treasured traditions - dating all the way back to 1873. It is of course very closely tied to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, and on this episode, we explore the eight unique concert experiences that make up the 2019 Festival with Principal Conductor Juanjo Mena and Associate Director of Choruses Matthew Swanson.

Guests: Juanjo Mena, Principal Conductor, May Festival | Matthew Swanson, Associate Director of Choruses, MayFestival 

Released: March 27, 2019

Everyone’s story – everyone’s journey is unique. For most of us, merely setting our sights on achieving a goal is not enough and we look to others for guidance and support along the way. On this episode, we hear about Ian Saunders’ extraordinary journey as a musician, and we visit with CSO Principal Bass Owen Lee for the first time on the podcast. This episode is most definitely “All About That Bass.”

Guests: Ian Saunders, Diversity Fellow, 2017-2019, Bass | Owen Lee,  Principal Bass, Mary Alice Heekin Burke Chair

Released: March 13, 2019

This episode features conversations with Music Director Louis Langrée and percussionists Richard Jensen and Michael Culligan about the exciting new critical edition of Gershwin’s An American in Paris—taxi horns and all—and realizing the full sonic power of Varèse’s massive Amériques on the March 15-16, 2019 concerts.

Guests: Louis Langrée, Music Director | Michael Culligan, Associate Principal Percussion | Richard Jensen, Percussion, Morleen & Jack Rouse Chair

Released: February 25, 2019

A supportive community is key to having a vibrant arts scene and a top-tier orchestra in Cincinnati. To understand the magnitude of this support, consider that in the past decade alone, ArtsWave, Cincinnati’s united arts fund, has contributed over $35 million dollars to support the CSO. Simply put, the Orchestra’s impact would be significantly diminished without this funding support. 

Guests: Alecia Kintner, President & CEO of Artswave | John Morris Russell, Pops Conductor

Released: February 8, 2019

With the announcement of the CSO’s 125th Anniversary season comes the launch of new initiatives both on and off the stage that seek to build on the Orchestra’s legacy. This coming season reflects not only the Orchestra’s artistry, but also a commitment to propelling the art form forward, fulfilling the CSO’s mission to seek and share inspiration, and advancing a vision to engage broader audiences and our wider community. From introducing an exciting new concert format, to experimenting with innovative performance elements to the commissioning of new American works, the 19/20 season affirms the CSO’s core value to be a place of experimentation. On this episode, we discuss the 125th Anniversary Season with CSO President Jonathan Martin and we also hear from Music Director Louis Langrée.

Guests: Jonathan Martin, CSO President | Louis Langrée, Music Director

Released: January 22, 2019

The CSO attracts talented musicians from around the world to become part of the community in Cincinnati. A major reason we launched this podcast was for listeners to get to know these musicians and on this episode, we talk with Associate Concertmaster Stefani Matsuo and Assistant Concertmaster Philip Marten. We’ll learn how they came to be musicians and find out about their respective roles in the Orchestra, particularly important in a season where the CSO is searching for a new concertmaster.

Guests: Stefani Matsuo, Associate Concertmaster Tom & Dee Stegman Chair | Philip Marten, First Assistant Concertmaster James M. Ewell Chair

Released: January 7, 2019

Composer Jonathan Bailey Holland’s connection to the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra dates back to the world premiere of Halcyon Sun in 2004. The relationship has continued through the years, and for the 2018-19 season, he is the CSO’s Composer-in-Residence. On this episode of our podcast, we talk to Jonathan Bailey Holland about his most recent commission for the CSO, which had its world premiere in November. We also talk to Education Programs Manager Becky Spiewak and University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music composition student Mabel Lecrone about the work Jonathan is doing in Cincinnati as part of his residency.

Guests: Jonathan Bailey Holland, Composer-in-Residence | Becky Spiewak, Education Programs Manager | Mable Lecrone, CSO Young Composer Workshop Participant

Released: December 18, 2018

We said from the very beginning that this podcast provides an opportunity for listeners to explore the world of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Pops, and the region's vibrant arts scene through conversations with performers, conductors and the people behind the scenes who make the music possible. On today's episode, we hear from two CSO musicians - Principal Clarinet Chris Pell, who recently joined the CSO, and Principal Trumpet Bob Sullivan, who re-joined the CSO after some years spent teaching at Northwestern University. We'll talk about how they came to be musicians, how they came to Cincinnati, and about their critically important roles within the Orchestra.

Guests: Robert Sullivan, Principal Trumpet, Rawson Chair | Chris Pell, Principal Clarinet, Emma Margaret & Irving D. Goldman Chair

Released: November 26, 2018

The year 1918 marked the end of the First World War and a cultural awakening in America. This episode focuses on the Cincinnati Pops’ highly-anticipated new album, American Originals: 1918, captured live at Music Hall and featuring popular music of that era. Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, Keyboardist Julie Spangler and Administrator Sam Strater dive into uniquely American sounds and talk about the collaborations with Rhiannon Giddens, Pokey LaFarge and Steep Canyon Rangers.

Guests: Jonathan Martin, President of the CSO | Amber Ostaszewski, Director of Audience Engagement | Bridget Leak & Trey Tatum, Queen City Flash

Released: November 08, 2018

The year 1918 marked the end of the First World War and a cultural awakening in America. This episode focuses on the Cincinnati Pops’ highly-anticipated new album, American Originals: 1918, captured live at Music Hall and featuring popular music of that era. Pops Conductor John Morris Russell, Keyboardist Julie Spangler and Administrator Sam Strater dive into uniquely American sounds and talk about the collaborations with Rhiannon Giddens, Pokey LaFarge and Steep Canyon Rangers.

Guests: John Morris Russell, Pops Conductor | Julie Spangler, Arranger and Keyboardist, James P. Thornton Chair | Sam Strater, Former Director of Artistic Administration for the Cincinnati Pops

Released: October 19, 2018

As the media landscape has gone through major changes in the past decade, so has local arts coverage. This episodes explores how that landscape affects arts organizations and journalists alike. Guests are longtime Cincinnati music critic and reporter Janelle Gelfand and journalist and anchor Kathrine Nero.

Guests: Janelle Gelfand, Cincinnati Business Courier Contributor | Kathrine Nero, Cincinnati Enquirer Facebook Live Host

Released: October 5, 2018

A novel from over 400 years old – considered by many to be the first modern novel – has inspired centuries of music. This episode explores the world of Don Quixote with CSO Principal Viola Christian Colberg, who performs his own concerto inspired by the classic novel with the CSO in October, and Music Director Louis Langrée who built a concert program around interpretations of this classic story.

Guests: Christian Colberg, Principal Viola | Louis Langrée, Music Director

Released: September 21, 2018

Stravinsky’s iconic Rite of Spring started a revolution and changed the musical language. It is regarded by many to be the greatest composition of the 20^th century and in this episode of our podcast, we discuss Stravinsky’s masterpiece with CSO Music Director Louis Langrée. Of course Rite of Spring opens with a famous solo bassoon line and we’ll also meet the CSO’s new Principal Bassoon, Chris Sales.

Guests: Louis Langrée, Music Director | Chris Sales, Principal Bassoon

Released: September 11, 2018

The 2018-19 Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra season is upon us. In this episode, we talk season highlights with the CSO’s new Director of Artistic Administration and Planning Nate Bachhuber and also find out what Music Director Louis Langrée was up to over the summer.

Guests: Louis Langrée, Music Director | Nate Bachhuber, Director of Artistic Administration - Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Released: August 22, 2018

Star Wars is an iconic film that changed the cultural landscape with an equally iconic film score by John Williams. In advance of the Cincinnati Pops performances in September, this episode examines the cultural impact of Star Wars with Assistant Principal Trumpet Chris Kiradjeff, Pops Director of Artistic Administration Sam Strater and Conductor John Morris Russell.

Guests: Chris Kiradjeff, Assistant Principal Trumpet | Sam Strater, Director of Artistic Administration - Cincinnati Pops

Released: August 16, 2018

The second of a two-part episode explores the highly competitive world of orchestra auditions. Paul Pietrowski, Director of Orchestra Personnel, offers insights into the audition process and learn about Principal Violist Christian Colberg’s journey. 

Guests: Paul Pietrowski, Director of Orchestra Personnel | Christian Colberg, Principal Viola, Louise D. & Louis Nippert Chair

Released: August 2, 2018

When a position opens up at the CSO, hundreds and at times, hundreds upon hundreds of musicians apply, traveling to Cincinnati on their own dime. Getting into a fulltime professional orchestra is immensely challenging and many audience members probably don’t realize how challenging a process it truly is. For the next two episodes of our podcast, we will set out to demystify the audition process and offer insights.

Guests: Paul Frankenfeld, Associate Principal Viola, Grace M. Allen Chair | Carol Dary Dunevant, Instructional Programs Manager | Gene Chang, Assistant Conductor, CSYO Director

Released: July 18, 2018

The CSO/CCM Diversity Fellowship is a groundbreaking performance fellowship program for exceptional string players. The program provides an unparalleled two-year learning experience for graduate-level violin, viola, violoncello and double bass players coming from populations that are historically underrepresented in classical music. The first class has recently graduated and class number three is about to start its fellowship journey.

Guests: Ahmad Mayes, Director of Education and Community Engagement | Carol Dary Dunevant, Instructional Programs Manager | Emilio Carlo, Viola, Class of 2016-2018 Alumni

Released: June 28, 2018

The Cincinnati Pops performs every Fourth of July at Riverbend Music Center, a tradition that started when the venue opened in 1984. Learn about this family-friendly tradition on the banks of the Ohio River and the great American music that drives it.  

Guests: John Morris Russell, Pops Conductor | Sam Strater, Director of Artistic Administration for the Cincinnati Pops

Director of Artistic Administration, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Nate Bachhuber hails from Wisconsin and holds Bachelor of Vocal Performance and Master of Opera degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia. Prior to his position at the CSO, he came from the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, where he has served as Artistic Administrator since April of 2014.

Associate Conductor, CSYO Director

Gene Chang joined the Orchestra’s conducting staff as Assistant Conductor in September 2015. His duties include leading the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra (CSYO) programs, conducting the CSO in its Young People's Concerts series, and assisting conductors of the CSO, Cincinnati Pops and May Festival.

Principal Viola, Louise D. & Louis Nippert Chair

Christian Colberg began his musical studies at the age of five in his native Puerto Rico. Known for his versatility, Colberg excels as a violinist and violist, and has garnered accolades as a composer and a conductor. He is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of Music, and studied under the tutelage of Charles Libov and Shirley Givens.

Associate Principal Percussion

Michael Culligan is one of the newest members of the CSO Percussion section, joining the orchestra in 2015. After receiving a Bachelors in Science in Music Education from Duquesne University, Michael earned his Master of Music at Temple University.

Look Around Co-Creator

I have built my craft as a filmmaker, designer, choreographer and director, and I often take on more than one of these roles in any given project. I create work that features cohesive and deep expression, integrating influences from design, film, dance, theater, and music. While manipulating the intersections of these forms I seek to discover new expressive and kinetic possibilities in performance, presentation, and design. For me, there is no division between the acts of directing performers, arranging inanimate objects, or articulating light for a camera.

Instructional Programs Manager

Carol Dunevant came on board to work with the Cincinnati Symphony Youth Orchestra in 2015 following a career of teaching and conducting. Her husband, David, and cat, Watson, fully support her dedication and passion for working with student musicians.

Associate Principal Viola, Grace M. Allen Chair

Paul has been a member of the CSO since 1979. In addition, he is currently the President of the Cincinnati Musician's Association.

Principal French Horn, Mary M. and Charles F. Yeiser Chair

Elizabeth Freimuth is one of the most sought after french horn players, lending her amazing talent to the CSO and Pops orchestras as the Principal French Horn for over 20 years.

Cincinnati Business Courier Contributor

Janelle has covered classical music and the arts in Cincinnati for more than two decades, plays piano and tennis and enjoys trying all of the new restaurants in Over-the-Rhine.

Associate Conductor

Conductor Keitaro Harada maintains a blossoming, international presence throughout North America, Asia, Mexico, and Europe. He places high personal value on the advancement of each musician and ensemble he encounters, music’s contribution to a community’s greater cultural fabric, and the ultimate realization of a musical work through thoughtful study and collaborative performance.

Harada’s credentials are exemplary. In his fourth season as Associate Conductor of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops, Harada regularly assists Music Director Louis Langrée, conducts the CSO, POPS, and has assisted James Conlon and Juanjo Mena for the May Festival. He is a three-time recipient of The Solti Foundation U.S. Career Assistance Award (2016, 2015, 2014), Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview (2013), the Seiji Ozawa Conducting Fellowship at Tanglewood Music Festival, and was a student of Lorin Maazel at Castleton Festival and Fabio Luisi at Pacific Music Festival. In 2018 and 2016, he was invited by Valery Gergiev to serve on the faculty of the Pacific Music Festival.

Composer-in-Residence

Holland is currently Chair of Composition, Contemporary Music, and Core Studies at Boston Conservatory at Berklee, and Faculty Co-Chair of composition at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Holland has been commissioned by numerous orchestras, ensembles, and soloists. He is Composer-in-Residence with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra during the 2018-19 season—the first composer to serve this role. His work Ode premiered in November 2018 and it was his fifth work for the CSO.

Look Around Co-creator

Siri is the author of poem Lost Generation, which serves as the main inspiration behind Look Around. A native of Cincinnati, Siri is an activist, but also a spoken word and hip hop artist and has been featured on her own Ted Talk. 

Associate Principal, Timpani & Percussion, Morleen and Jack Rouse Chair

Richard Jensen has been a member of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra percussion section since 1972, when he won his position at the age of twenty. He now holds the dual positions of Associate Principal Timpanist and Percussionist. A native of Seattle, Richard studied with Seattle Symphony Principal Percussionist Randy Baunton, with David Shrader at the University of Washington and with Fred Hinger at the Manhattan School of Music.

President & CEO of ArtsWave

Alecia Kintner was recruited to join ArtsWave in Cincinnati in 2013 and in September 2014 became Chief Executive Officer. Prior to relocating to Cincinnati from the Northeast, she served as Deputy Director of the Greater Hartford Arts Council for a decade, doubling the size of the annual community arts campaign and helping to consolidate the functions of the city’s downtown business council and beautification programs into the Arts Council.

Chris Kiradjeff is a musician in the CSO Trumpet section. He began his career with the CSO in 1997 and is an avid Star Wars fan.

Music Director

The French conductor Louis Langrée has been Music Director of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since 2013. He is also Music Director of the Mostly Mozart Festival at Lincoln Center in New York, a position that he has held since 2002.

Queen City Flash

Bridget Leak and Trey Tatum come from the local theatre company Queen City Flash as a partner in the first Friday Orange of the CSO's 18/19 CSO season.

CSO Young Composer Workshop Participant

A 2018 graduate of the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), Mable Lecrone is now majoring in both violin and composition at the University of Cincinnati’s College Conservatory of Music. She currently studies violin with Timothy Lees, recently retired concertmaster of the CSO, and composition with Dr. Miguel Roig-Francoli.

Principal Bass, Mary Alice Heekin Burke Chair

Double bassist Owen Lee has garnered great acclaim as a soloist, chamber musician, teacher and, since 1996, as Principal Bass of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (Mary Alice Heekin Burke Chair). Lee is heard regularly as a soloist with orchestras including the CSO, Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and the New World Symphony in Miami, and on tour to New York’s Lincoln Center. 

In addition to his performing career, Lee is a highly sought-after teacher, and serves on the faculties of the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and Chautauqua School of Music. He has taught masterclasses at Curtis, Juilliard, Yale, USC, Sydney Conservatorium, McGill University, Beijing Central Conservatory, Shanghai Conservatory and Hong Kong Academy for the Performing Arts. His students can be found in orchestras throughout the world.

Concertmaster Emeritus

Tim Lees has been an integral part of the CSO family for 20 years. As the Orchestra’s Concertmaster, he has served not only as the leader of the violin section, but also as a voice for the Orchestra. He has also been a familiar, friendly face to audience members and a symbol of the musical excellence the Orchestra projects year in and year out.

Viola

Caterina is a new member of the CSO viola section as of the 18/19 season, hailing from Lake Carmel, NY. After almost a decade studying at Julliard from pre-college through grad school, Caterina spent a few years at the San Diego Symphony Orchestra before makign a home in Cincinnati. 

Associate Concertmaster Tom & Dee Stegman Chair

Praised by the Washington Post for her “temperament and clear musical purpose” and “great technical maturity," violinist Stefani Collins Matsuo is emerging as one of today’s most promising talents. She was appointed in 2018 as the Associate Concertmaster of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, where she has been a member since 2015. 

First Assistant Concertmaster, James M. Ewell Chair

Philip is new face on stage at Music Hall, appointed to the First Assistant Concertmaster chair after spending a few years in the Kansas City Symphony.

CSO President

Jonathan Martin is President of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra since September 2017 and previously served the as President & CEO of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra from 2012-2017.

Director of Education and Community Engagement

Ahmad oversees all Education and Community Engagement activity including diversity and inclusion programs, Young People's Concerts, school partnerships, musician training and community engagement programming. Previous positions also include roles with the Atlanta Symphony and Director of Operations & Artistic Administration for Youth Orchestras of San Antonio (YOSA), where Ahmad played a significant role in the launch of the El Sistema inspired YOSA Music Learning Center after-school music program on San Antonio’s Westside.

Principal Conductor of the May Festival

Principal Conductor of the Cincinnati May Festival and Chief Conductor of the BBC Philharmonic in Manchester, United Kingdom, Juanjo Mena is one of Spain’s most distinguished international conductors.

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Henry T. Wilks Cincinnati Opera Artistic Director

Evans Mirageas is the Harry T. Wilks Artistic Director of Cincinnati Opera, the Vice-President for Artistic Planning for The Atlanta Symphony and an independent artistic advisor to symphony orchestras, opera companies, festivals and individual classical music artists throughout the world. Institutions and individual artists can realize long term and mid-term artistic, financial and career benefits by working with an independent Artistic Advisor that enhances or supplements the work of a traditional in house employee or manager.

Kathrine Nero

Longtime local TV personality and former early riser can now be found live on Facebook Monday-Thursday at 10 am for the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Look Around Co-creator

Shara Nova, a classically trained vocalist and self-taught multi-instrumentalist who records dazzling, shapeshifting music as My Brightest Diamond, has always felt like an outsider.  Over the course of four groundbreaking albums, she has resisted the conventions of genre, blending elements of rock, art pop, and chamber music into a sound totally her own. While fiercely independent, she like everyone else, still desires connectedness.  This tension is at the core of her new album—A Million And One—where she has once again reinvented herself.

Director of Audience Engagement

Amber Ostaszewski is the Director of Audience Engagement. She's charged with programming Music+, the CSO's pre- and post-concert experiential events, and extends a collaborative arm to many organizations throughout the region.

Principal French Horn, Mary M. and Charles F. Yeiser Chair

Elizabeth Freimuth is one of the most sought after french horn players, lending her amazing talent to the CSO and Pops orchestras as the Principal French Horn for over 20 years.

Director of Orchestra Personnel

Paul is the lead administrator of the CSO’s collective bargaining agreement and serves as a resource and counsel for musicians, acting in a human resources capacity for orchestra personnel and as a liaison between musicians, the music director and the administration. Duties include managing personnel for all orchestra services for the CSO, Cincinnati Pops and May Festival, including performances, tours and auditions.

Director of Choruses

Since 1989, Robert Porco has led the May Festival Chorus in inspired collaboration and music-making which “shook the rafters” at the Chorus’ most recent Carnegie Hall appearance in 2014. “Carnegie has seldom felt so alive,” according to The New Yorker.

Robert Porco has been recognized as one of the leading choral musicians in the United States and for more than 40 years has been an active preparer and conductor of choral and orchestral works, including most of the major choral repertoire, as well as of opera. In 2011 Mr. Porco received Chorus America’s “Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art.”

May Festival Chorus Member

Kristi Reed has been a member of the May Festival Chorus for eight seasons and also sings as a soloist at Westwood First Presbyterian Church. Kristi has more than a decade of experience in arts administration, specializing in grant writing, impact measurement, and grants management. Kristi holds a Bachelor of Music from Ohio Northern University with dual majors in Voice Performance and Professional and Organizational Communication. She received her MBA from the University of Cincinnati's (UC) Lindner School of Business and MA in Arts Administration from UC's College-Conservatory of Music. She lives in Cincinnati with her husband Dan, son Dominic, and Siamese cat, Kimmie.

Viola, Melinda and Irwin Simon Chair

Originally from St. Paul, Minnesota, Steven Rosen has been a member of the CSO viola section from 1982. After a long, adventurous career, Steven will retire from the CSO at the end of the 18/19 season. 

Pops Conductor

A remarkable artist with boundless enthusiasm for music-making of all kinds, John Morris Russell is A modern conductor who engages and enthralls audiences with the full breadth of the orchestral experience. 

Principal Bassoon

Christopher has held Principal positions with the Calgary Philharmonic, Charleston Symphony, Norrkӧping Symphony and Jacksonville Symphony Orchestras. Described as "fleet-fingered and nimble" by the Calgary Herald, Christopher has showcased his virtuosity in concerto performances with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, Charleston Symphony, as well as the Aspen and Eastern Music Festivals.

Diversity Fellow, 2017-2019, Bass

A multi-faceted musician, Ian Saunders enjoys an exciting career as a sought-after bassist and educator. In 2016, he received his doctorate from the University of Maryland while studying with Robert Oppelt, principal bassist of the National Symphony Orchestra. Saunders is currently in demand within the competitive Baltimore and DC freelance community, most notably as the bassist for the critically acclaimed Post-Classical Ensemble. In addition, he has also performed with the National Philharmonic and the Collaborative Artist of Baltimore. Outside of the classical world, Saunders has been invited to participate in orchestras backing Bootsy Collins, Kansas and hip-hop artist Thee Phantom. He can also be seen in the nationally televised special Cherish the Ladies: An Irish Homecoming, backing the Irish super group Cherish the Ladies. The program was nationally syndicated on PBS in 2013.

Arranger and Keyboardist, James P. Thornton Chair

Julie Spangler is a longtime Cincinnati Pops arranger, featured on several Pops recordings with both Erich Kunzel and John Morris Russell. In addition to arranging "I Ain't Gonna Play No Second Fiddle," for the Cincinnati Pops' American Originals: 1918 album, she is a Keyboardist, James P. Thornton Chair, for the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra, and part of the Pops Rhythm Section.

Education Programs Manager

Becky is the Education Programs Manager for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, managing all school programming including Young People’s Concerts, Musicians In Schools, Sound Discoveries School Residency, CSO Educator Network and various partner projects. She came to the CSO from the Seattle Symphony.

Cincinnati Pops Former Director of Artistic Administration

Sam worked for the CSO and Pops in various roles since 2006, and was the Director of Artistic Administration for the Cincinnati Pops from 2009-2019. After living in Northern Kentucky with his family for several years, he's recently moved back to his home state of Michigan and continues a programming consulting relationship with the Cincinnati Pops. 

Associate Director of Choruses and May Festival Youth Chorus Director

Matthew leads the Youth Chorus in an active series of concerts across greater Cincinnati and their annual appearances at the May Festival. He has prepared the May Festival Chorus for performances with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra and the Cincinnati Pops. In addition to his artistic duties, Matthew leads community outreach, education and engagement activities for the May Festival.

Principal Trumpet, Rawson Chair

During his years teaching at Northwestern University, Robert was a regular performer with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Chicago Philharmonic and the Lyric Opera of Chicago. Robert also served as Associate Principal Trumpet in the New York Philharmonic for eleven seasons and as Assistant Principal Trumpet with The Cleveland Orchestra for five years.