Jaclyn Thach, a junior at Dougherty Valley High School, began playing the violin at the age of five under the tutelage of Gail Peterson. She currently studies with Dr. James Greening-Valenzuela. This is Jaclyn’s fourth year with Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra. She also participates in her school’s Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Patricia Drury, […]
Two internationally acclaimed local artists–composer Mason Bates, who has worked with the Symphony since early in his career, and Menuhin Competition winner and Crowden School alumnus Kenneth Renshaw–take the stage for what promises to be a sensational season opening. Bates’ Devil’s Radio (2014) swings and grooves from quietly propulsive to shimmering melodic “lures” to a bluesy […]
2014-15 Young Composer Competition Winner Preston Nowakowski is an amateur composer from Pleasanton, California. He currently attends California State University, Northridge, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Media and Commercial Composition. Preston graduated from Amador Valley High School, where he participated in various ensembles including Jazz Band, Marching Band, Wind Ensemble and Winter Percussion. At […]
Patricia Whaley, viola, brings to OEBS 30+ years of experience as orchestral player, chamber musician, soloist, and teacher. In addition to OEBS, she is Principal Viola of Symphony Silicon Valley and the Modesto Symphony, a regular member of the Bridge Players, viola section coach for Peninsula Youth Orchestra and San Jose Youth Symphony, and a […]
Sergi Goldman-Hull, violinist, a native of San Mateo, CA, graduated from the Peabody Conservatory of Music in 2003 with a BM in Violin Performance. His primary teacher there was Herbert Greenberg (Former Baltimore Symphony Concertmaster and Josef Gingold student). He began studying the violin at age 5 with the Suzuki method. Mr. Goldman-Hull’s early teacher’s […]
Alex Hunn is a senior in the IB Program at Modesto High School in Modesto, California. He began playing the cello at the age of 4 under the tutelage of his mother, cellist Jana Hunn. Alex has benefited from master classes and lessons with Anthony Elliot, Michal Palzewicz, Pam Devenport, Julie Newton, and Ira Lehn. […]
Carla Picchi plays extensively with the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and is currently in the Oakland East Bay Symphony and the Festival Opera Orchestra, where she has been Concertmaster. She also frequently performs with the Santa Rosa Symphony, and freelances throughout the Bay Area. Ms. Picchi was a founding member of La Dolce Musica String Quartet and was […]
Jonathan Chen, a senior at Northgate High School in Walnut Creek, commenced his journey at age seven under the guidance of two wonderful violin teachers, Mr. and Mrs. Peterson. Now studying with Ms. Debbra Wood Schwartz, Jonathan is inspired by her contagious enthusiasm for music in every lesson. In the summer of 2012, Jonathan took […]
The Annual Fund provides support to the entire Symphony family and gives staff and board the flexibility to allocate it to the program with the most need. Ready to give? Make your donation online right now. If you’d like to learn more, please read on! Your annual gift also gets you special access to experiences and […]
John Kendall Bailey is currently Music Director of the Mozart to Mendelssohn Orchestra and the Mesopotamia Symphony Orchestra, and Associate Conductor of the San Francisco Composers Chamber Orchestra. Previously he has held positions including Principal Conductor of Oakland Symphony Youth Orchestra, Music Director and Conductor of Trinity Lyric Opera, and Guest Conductor with Oakland Symphony, […]