The Orchestra
Violin
Steven Copes
Violinist Steven Copes joined The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as Concertmaster in 1998, and since then has led the SPCO from the first chair in many highly acclaimed, eclectic programs. He appears frequently as soloist with the SPCO and many other ensembles around the world. A zealous advocate of the … Learn more
Kyu-Young Kim
Artistic Director and Principal Violin of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Kyu-Young Kim is one of the most versatile and accomplished musicians of his generation. His appointment as the SPCO’s Artistic Director in January 2016 marks the first time a playing member has been tapped to take the artistic helm … Learn more
Daria T. Adams
Violinist Daria T. Adams has been a member of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra since 1987. Prior to joining the SPCO, she was a concerto soloist with the New American Chamber Orchestra, performing in the United States, Europe, and Scandinavia. An active recitalist and chamber musician, Adams has been a … Learn more
Nina Tso-Ning Fan
Nina Tso-Ning Fan is a full-time member of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A native of Colorado, Fan began her violin studies at the age of four. She earned her bachelor’s degree in French literature from Harvard University while studying violin with James Buswell at the New England Conservatory of … Learn more
Eunice Kim
A native of the San Francisco Bay Area, violinist Eunice Kim made her solo debut at the age of seven with the Korean Broadcasting Symphony Orchestra. Called “just superb” The New York Times, she recently made her solo debut with The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Louisville Symphony, and performed … Learn more
Eunae Koh
Second Prize and Chamber Music Prize winner of the 2015 Michael Hill International Competition, violinist Eunae Koh enjoys a rapidly blossoming career as a soloist, chamber musician and concertmaster. Ms. Koh made her concerto debut at the age of nine with the Seoul Symphony Orchestra and won numerous national competitions … Learn more
Maureen Nelson
Maureen Nelson, violin, became a full-time member of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in 2016. As former founding member and first violinist, she led the Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet for nearly two decades, captivating audiences from major concert stages of the world, regularly concertizing throughout North America and abroad. Founded … Learn more
Rolf Haas
Violinist Rolf Haas is 'fearless' (Minneapolis Star Tribune). As a musician who is not ashamed to take risks, Rolf combines virtuosity and an expansive sound palette playing impactful performances to audiences all across the globe. A Minneapolis native, He has won numerous prizes at competitions in the USA, including prizes … Learn more
Viola
Maiya Papach
Maiya Papach is the principal violist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. A member of the orchestra since 2008, she has made solo appearances with the SPCO in Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante with concertmaster Steven Copes, solo directed Benjamin Britten’s Lachrymae and as soloist in Woolrich’s Ulysses Awakes. Papach has … Learn more
Hyobi Sim
A native Korean violist Hyobi Sim is the Associate Principal Violist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. She began the study of viola when she was 12 years old. She won prizes at Tertis International Viola Competition, Music Chunchu Competition and Seoul Arts Center Competition. Sim has made solo appearances … Learn more
Daniel Orsen
Violist Daniel Orsen joined The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in the 2022.23 season. He began his tenure with the SPCO performing Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Sinfonia Concertante for Violin and Viola in September. During six years in Boston, Orsen performed with A Far Cry, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, the Fermata Chamber … Learn more
Lisa Sung
Hailed by the Australian Daily Telegraph as a "viola prodigy," Australian-Korean violist Lisa Sung is a laureate of numerous international competitions including the 12th Lionel Tertis International Viola Competition and the 10th Gisborne International Music Competition. She has performed the Bartók Concerto at the Sydney Opera House and played in … Learn more
Cello
Julie Albers
American cellist Julie Albers is recognized for her superlative artistry, her charismatic and radiant performing style, and her intense musicianship. She was born into a musical family in Longmont, Colorado and began violin studies at the age of two with her mother, switching to cello at age four. Julie made … Learn more
Joshua Koestenbaum
Cellist Joshua Koestenbaum combines his career at The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra with active solo and chamber music performances as well as being an active private teacher. A member of the SPCO since 1980, he has appeared frequently as soloist with the Chamber Orchestra. During the 2001-02 season, Koestenbaum replaced … Learn more
Sarah Lewis
Cellist Sarah Lewis has been a member of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra since 1998. A Saint Paul native, she started piano lessons at the MacPhail Center for the Arts at the age of three. She holds degrees from Southern Methodist University and the Juilliard School, where she studied with … Learn more
Richard Belcher*
New Zealand cellist Richard Belcher joined the SPCO in 2019 after a twenty year career as founding cellist of the Grammy-nominated Enso String Quartet. With the quartet he earned highly critical accolades from recording and concertizing in many of the world’s major concert halls such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, … Learn more
Sihao He
Cellist Sihao He first came into international prominence in 2008 as a 14-year-old cellist winning first prize at the International Antonio Janigro Cello Competition in Croatia. Later that same year, he sealed his great promise by winning the National Cello Competition in his native China. He is also the Grand … Learn more
Double bass
Zachary Cohen
Zachary Cohen, a native of the Bronx, won the position of principal bass of the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra in his senior year of Juilliard at the age of 22. Cohen received his Bachelor of Music from Juilliard where he studied with legendary bassist Homer Mensch. During his summers Cohen has … Learn more
Flute
Julia Bogorad-Kogan
The New York Times called Julia Bogorad-Kogan "a wonderful flutist — her playing is graceful, virtuosic, and always full of interest." Bogorad-Kogan, who became the SPCO's principal flutist at the age of 22, combines an orchestral career with regular recital and solo performances. She has performed worldwide, including at New … Learn more
Alicia McQuerrey
Alicia McQuerrey joined the SPCO as a flute and piccolo player in 2001. A native of Charleston, West Virginia, McQuerrey began studying the Suzuki flute method at the age of seven with Mrs. June Warhoftig, then principal flutist with the West Virginia Symphony. Alicia earned the distinction of becoming the … Learn more
Oboe
Cassie Pilgrim
A native of Chamblee, Georgia, Cassie Pilgrim is the Principal Oboist of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. In addition, she has performed in The Philadelphia Orchestra and the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra. During the summer, she has appeared at Festival Mozaic, Music from Angel Fire, the Aspen Music Festival and the … Learn more
Barbara Bishop*
Acclaimed American oboist Barbara Bishop has had a rich and varied career as a soloist, chamber musician, orchestral musician and teacher prior to joining The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. She has served as Assistant Teaching Professor of Oboe at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory and Associate Principal Oboe with … Learn more
Christine Kim
Christine Soojin Kim, oboist, has been praised for her 'lovely and yet powerful' playing (The Boston Musical Inteligencer) and her 'lovely oboe solos' (Your Observer News). Christine was appointed as the Principal Oboe of the Sarasota Orchestra for 2016–2017 season and the Principal Oboe of the Des Moines Metro Opera … Learn more
Clarinet
Sang Yoon Kim
South Korean clarinetist Sang Yoon Kim (1987) is the principal clarinet of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. Sang Yoon is the top prize winner of the 67th Prague Spring International Music Competition 2015. His career highlights include his appearance as a soloist with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton … Learn more
Bassoon
Andrew Brady
Native Tennessean Andrew Brady joins The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra in the 2022.23 season as Principal Bassoon. Brady comes to Minnesota from the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, having served there as Principal Bassoon since January 2016. Prior to the ASO, Brady held the same position for two years with the Louisiana … Learn more
Horn
James Ferree
With horn playing described by the Star Tribune as "deliciously mellow," "captivating," and "standout", James Ferree joined the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as Principal Horn in 2018. Previously the Principal Horn of the Richmond Symphony (VA), Ferree has performed as Guest Principal Horn with orchestras across the country such as … Learn more
Matthew Wilson
Matthew Wilson joined The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra as a member starting in the 2017-18 season, after playing as a guest musician for many years. He was Principal Horn of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra from 2012–2017. He was Acting Associate Principal Horn with the Minnesota Orchestra for the 2021-22 season … Learn more
Trumpet
Lynn Erickson
Minnesota native Lynn Erickson has played second trumpet for The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra since 1991. She is a graduate of the University of Minnesota, having earned both Master of Fine Arts and Doctor of Musical Arts degrees, and studied with Charles Schlueter, David Baldwin, Vincent Cichowicz, and Manny Laureano. … Learn more
In addition to those listed above, we extend our deepest thanks to the HRK Family, Hulings Family, and John H and Elizabeth B. Myers for endowing positions in the orchestra.
The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra is proud to be a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support (NAAS), an unprecedented national initiative to increase diversity in American orchestras. It will do so by offering Black and Latinx musicians a customized combination of mentoring, audition preparation, financial support, and audition previews. Learn more at www.auditionalliance.org.