Nancy Livingston
Nancy Livingston probably inherited at least some of her musical talents from her grandfather and her great grandfather. They are the only musicians in her family and they both played violin. Nancy was born in California, the eldest of twelve children and began playing violin at a very early age. The other great passion in […]
Chun-Yi Lu
Chun-Yi Lu is a member of the first violin section of The Phoenix Symphony. He began his violin studies with his father, at the age of five, in his native China. He made his solo debut at the Shanghai Opera House two years later. Then, the Cultural Revolution occurred, making it illegal to play Western […]
Dana Pasley
Since winning his position with The Phoenix Symphony in 1986, first violinist Dana Pasley has been in great demand as a chamber musician, soloist and teacher here in the Valley. A native of California, he began playing at the age of seven and continued his studies in his home state, where he attended California State […]
Lan Qiu
Lan Qiu has been playing in the first violin section with the Phoenix Symphony since 2003. Between 1996 and 2000, Qiu was a member in first violin section of the China National Symphony Orchestra, one of the most outstanding professional orchestras in China. Between 1987 and 2000, he toured and performed in most countries in […]
Karen Sinclair
Violinist Karen Sinclair holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music, a Diploma of Postgraduate Performance from London’s Royal Academy of Music, and a Master of Music degree from Rice University. She made her solo debut at age eleven with the Philadelphia Orchestra and has returned to perform as a soloist […]
Levon Zarasian
Violinist Levon Zarasian holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the New School of Music where he studied with renowned violinist and founder of the school, Jascha Brodsky. In 1983, Levon won the prestigious Algur Meadows Scholarship from Southern Methodist University in Dallas where, until his graduation, held the position of Concertmaster of the SMU […]
Jing Zeng
Violinist Jing Zeng joined the first violin section of The Phoenix Symphony in September 2006. Zeng began playing the violin at age four and was accepted as the top violin student at the Sichuan Conservatory of Music at age 11. Zeng was the prize winner of the Sixth National Violin Competition in Beijing, China and the semi-finalist of the Novosibirsk International Violin Competition in […]
Alex Laing
Leave of Absence Alex Laing began playing the clarinet at age 11 in his hometown of Silver Spring, Maryland. In 2002 he joined The Phoenix Symphony as principal clarinet. An accomplished instrumental artist, Alex’s work represents a modern take on orchestral practice. Active in his community as a performing and teaching artist, he is […]
Steve Hanusofski
Steve Hanusofski has been the Associate Principal and Bass Clarinet of The Phoenix Symphony since the 1986-87 season, and was the Acting Principal Clarinet for the 2000-01 season. He began playing the clarinet at the age of 11 in his hometown Miami, Fla. He holds a Bachelors Degree in music performance from North Park College […]
Melita Hunsinger
Melita Hunsinger joined the Phoenix Symphony as principal cellist in 2015. Previously Melita served as principal cellist of the Fort Wayne Philharmonic, the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, and the Richmond Symphony Orchestra in Indiana. A native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Melita graduated summa cum laude from St. Olaf College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in […]
Jan Simiz
Jan Simiz, assistant principal cello for The Phoenix Symphony, was born in Barcea, Romania. His musical career on the cello began by chance. In Romania, most Jan Simiz, assistant principal cello for The Phoenix Symphony, was born in Barcea, Romania. His musical career on the cello began by chance. In Romania, most children are introduced […]
Frederick Chao
Frederick Chao, currently a member of the cello section of The Phoenix Symphony, was previously the associate principal cellist of the Honolulu Symphony. An avid chamber music enthusiast, he has been a member of the Delmar Trio, Stonybrook Trio and the Philharmonic String Quartet. Currently Fred is the cellist of Quartet Sabaku. Chao received his […]
Michael D’Avanzo
Cellist Michael D’Avanzo joined the Phoenix Symphony in 1990. Born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island, Michael was educated in New York City, earning his Bachelors at Mannes College and his Masters at the Julliard School. Some of the summer festivals he has performed include The Aspen Music Festival, The Santa Fe Opera, and The […]
Laurie Stearns Selby
Laurie Stearns Selby received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music performance from Arizona State University. She went on to obtain a position as cellist with The Phoenix Symphony in 1982. Selby’s teachers include Takayori Atsumi, Ron Leonard, Zara Nelsova, and Gabor Rejto. Selby is also a member of the Phoenix Symphony String Ensemble, and […]
Michael Kazepides
Michael Kazepides was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, and began his musical studies on the cello, switching to the double bass after 10 years of study. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of British Columbia, where he served as principal bassist for five years and also performed as a member of the Vancouver […]
Stephen Koscica
Assistant Principal Bass since the 1990-91 Season, and prior to joining The Phoenix Symphony, Steve Koscica was Principal Double Bass for four years in Hong Kong. Steve has received Bachelors and Masters degrees from Indiana University School of Music, plus awarded the highly distinguished Performers Certificate. Stephen also owns and operates, String Emporium, specialists in […]
John Ebinger
John Ebinger is a native of New Mexico and has been a member of The Phoenix Symphony since 1995. He holds a bachelor’s of music degree from New Mexico State University, and a master’s of music and doctor of musical arts degree from Arizona State University. Ebinger has performed with the New Mexico, El Paso, […]
Jonathan Imsande
Jonathan Imsande was raised in Arlington, Texas and began playing the double bass at age nine. After receiving a Bachelor of Music Degree from Rice University in Houston, he earned his Master’s at the University of Southern California, continuing with postgraduate work at Peabody Conservatory in Baltimore. Performing in Tanglewood with Leonard Bernstein and other […]
Thomas Bookhout
Now in his twelfth year with The Phoenix Symphony, Dr. Thomas Bookhout brings a vast experience in the choral art, having prepared and conducted symphony, opera, university, school, and adult choruses. He prepares the Symphony Chorus on its masterworks repertoire, such as Walton’s Belshazzar’s Feast, Kodaly’s Psalmus Hungaricus, Estévez’s Cantata Criolla, and Pärt’s In Principio, as well as […]
Augustin Hadelich
Augustin Hadelich appears with The Phoenix Symphony November 4-6, 2022 – Tickets and Information “The essence of Hadelich’s playing is beauty: reveling in the myriad ways of making a phrase come alive on the violin, delivering the musical message with no technical impediments whatsoever, and thereby revealing something from a plane beyond ours.” –Washington Post […]
