
2025 Festival Orchestra
Violins
Violin I
Justin Bruns, Concertmaster

- Associate Concertmaster: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
- Concertmaster: Cabrillo Music Festival
- Faculty: Emory University
Erin Furbee, Assistant Concertmaster
- Assistant Concertmaster: Oregon Symphony
- Tango Pacifico
Allison Lovera
- Former Acting Associate Concertmaster: Auckland Philharmonia
- Former First Violin: Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
- Sphinx Symphony Orchestra
Mark Reneau
- Former Concertmaster: Huntsville Symphony Orchestra
- Concertmaster: Chattanooga Bach Choir
Joseam Cuadrado
- Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra
Davis Brooks
- Professor Emeritus: Butler University
Adelaide Federici
- Faculty: Kennesaw State University
- Assistant Principal Second: Atlanta Opera Orchestra
Tristan Siegel
- Assistant Concertmaster: New Haven Symphony
Rita Lee
- Principal: Pacific Northwest Ballet
- First Violin: Cabrillo Festival
- Recording Artist: Skywalker Sound
Lauren Pokorzynski
- Arkansas Symphony
Laura Camacho (June 29)
- Faculty: Western Washington University
Violin II
Sarah Shellman, Principal

- Principal Second Violin: The Florida Orchestra
- First Violin: Cabrillo Festival
Nina Kim
- The Florida Orchestra
Garry Ianco
- Professor: University of Georgia
Grant Donnellan
- Professor: Western Washington University
William Ronning
- Alabama Symphony Orchestra
Jihye Choi
- Montgomery Symphony Orchestra
Hannie McGarity
- Victoria Symphony Orchestra
- Welcome Home Alumna
Michael Heald
- Professor: University of Georgia
Viola
Caroline Gilbert, Principal

- Principal Viola: Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
Paul Murphy
- Associate Principal: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Andrew Francois
- Saint Louis Symphony
Eric Kean
- Bellingham Chamber Music Society
Heidi Remick
- Maryland Symphony (sub)
- Annapolis Symphony (sub)
- DC Youth Orchestra Program coach
- National Philharmonic Youth Mentorship Program
Rick Neff
- Seattle Symphony Orchestra (sub)
- Seattle Opera (sub)
- Pacific Northwest Ballet (sub)
Aleida Gehrels (June 29, July 20)
- Seattle Freelance Violist
- Recording Artist
Violoncello
Sarah Lewis, Principal

- The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra
- Lakes Chamber Music Festival
Susie Yang
- Associate Principal: Kansas City Symphony
Alfred Gratta
- The Florida Orchestra
Soyoon Park
- Faculty: Peabody Preparatory
Dennis McCafferty
- Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
- Faculty: University of Indianapolis
Philip Hansen
- Artistic Director and Founder: Quadra Island Festival of Chamber Music (B.C., Canada)
- Principal Cellist (ret.): Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra
- Founder and Director: MyCello.org
Troy Chang
- Section Cello: The Florida Orchestra
- Section Cello: Sarasota Orchestra
- Faculty: Florida Southern College
Contrabass
Nina DeCesare, Principal

- Section Bass: Baltimore Symphony Orchestra
- Faculty: Peabody Conservatory of Johns Hopkins University
- Founder: The Artemis Bass Initiative
David Arend
- Oakland Symphony
- Alchemy Sound Project
- Outpost Collective
- Composer
Kathryn Bradley
- St Louis Symphony (sub)
- Opera Theater St. Louis
- San Diego Symphony (2022)
Brittany Conrad
- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Flute
Christina Smith, Principal

- Principal: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
- Artist Affiliate: Emory University
Todd Skitch
- Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Piccolo
Mehrdad Gholami (June 29, July 5, 20)
- Assistant Professor: Western Washington University
Oboe
Harrison Linsey, Principal

- Principal: Oregon Symphony
Danna Sundet
- Professor: Kent State University
- Principal: The Erie Philharmonic
- Artistic Coordinator: Kent Blossom Music Festival
English Horn
Dan Williams (June 29)
- Principal Oboe: Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Artist in Residence: University of Washington
- Adjunct Professor: University of Puget Sound
Cally Banham (July 5, 20)
- Saint Louis Symphony
Clarinet
Taylor Marino, Principal (June 29, July 5, 16, 20)

- Principal: Charlotte Symphony Orchestra
Erika Block (Principal July 11)
- Executive Director: Bellingham Festival of Music
- Bellingham Chamber Music Society
Jennifer Nelson (June 29, July 11)
- Principal Clarinet: Pacific Northwest Ballet
Bass Clarinet
Davis Hampton (July 5, 20)
- US Army Band
Saxophone
Fred Winkler (July 20)
- Senior Instructor: Western Washington University
- First call Seattle Symphony, Pacific Northwest Ballet
Soren Hamm (July 20)
- Faculty: Seattle Pacific University and Pierce College
Vanessa Sielert (July 20)
- Professor of Music: University of Idaho
- Spokane Jazz Orchestra
- Saxophonist with duality
Bassoon
Victoria Olson, Principal (June 29, July 5)

- Principal: Grand Rapids Symphony
- Adjunct Instructor: Grand Valley State University
Julia Paine, Principal (July 11, 16, 20)

- Saint Louis Symphony
Kai Rocke
-
Oregon Symphony
Pat Nelson (June 29)
- Instructor: Western Washington University
- Bellingham Chamber Music Society
ContraBassoon
Mona Butler (June 29, July 5, 20)
- Principal Bassoon: Pacific Northwest Ballet
Horn
Jeff Garza, Principal

- Principal: Oregon Symphony
- Adjunct Professor of Horn: Oregon State University
Kimberly Minson
-
Houston Grand Opera
David Sullivan
- Associate Principal: Kansas City Symphony
Helen Wargelin
-
Virginia Symphony Orchestra
Rodger Burnett
- Principal Horn: Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra
- Adjunct Faculty: University of Puget Sound and Seattle Pacific University
- Extra: Seattle Symphony/Seattle Opera
Andrew Warfield (June 29, July 16)
- Oregon Symphony
William Loveless (July 5, 20)
- Vancouver Symphony Orchestra
Trumpet
Charles Butler, Principal

- Pacific Northwest Ballet
- Portland Opera
- Oregon Ballet Theater
- Oregon Symphony
Tim McCarthy
- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
Doug Reneau (June 29, July 5, 20)
- Oregon Symphony
Bruce Daugherty (July 5)
- Trumpet Emeritus: Millar Brass Ensemble
- Conductor: Northwest Brass Ensemble
- Olympia Chamber Orchestra
Trombone
Ross Holcombe, Principal

- Associate Principal: The Florida Orchestra
- Faculty: University of South Florida
Steven Osborne
- Assistant Principal: North Carolina Symphony
Bass Trombone
Wade Demmert
- Olympia Symphony
- Julia Keefe Indigenous Big Band
- Substitute: Seattle Symphony and Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra
- Paramount Theater Orchestra
Tuba
Ryan Schultz
- Pacific Northwest Ballet Orchestra
- Auburn Symphony
- University of Puget Sound
Timpani
Mark Guthrie, Principal

- Principal: Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra
Harp
Sophie Baird-Daniel (July 11, 20)
- Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
Piano/Organ/Celeste
Jeffrey Gilliam (July 20)
- Professor: Western Washington University
Banjo
Eli Schille-Hudson (July 20)
- Instructor: Western Washington University