Interlochen Arts Camp announces 2023 Valade Concertmasters and Fellows

More than 30 leading classical musicians will provide mentorship to young artists as part of the 96th season of Interlochen Arts Camp.

March 31, 2023

Interlochen Arts Camp has announced the 2023 Valade Concertmasters and Fellows, a lineup of world-class musicians who will mentor young artists as part of the 96th season of the renowned summer arts program.

“Every year, it is our privilege to welcome a roster of outstanding professional artists to conduct and teach at Arts Camp,” said Interlochen Director of Music Eric Stomberg. “We have a stellar lineup this summer, and our students will profoundly benefit from their passion and artistry.”

Valade Concertmasters, chosen from America’s most prestigious orchestras, come to Interlochen to serve as mentors and role models for violinists in the World Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Interlochen Philharmonic, and other student ensembles. They participate in rehearsals and draw from decades of orchestral leadership experience to guide the next generation of violin players and concertmasters.

The Valade Fellows are an elite group of teaching artists from around the world who provide mentorship to Interlochen woodwind, brass, percussion, and string students. Like the Valade Concertmasters, the Valade Fellows attend rehearsals, lead sectionals, and offer instrument-specific perspectives on a variety of musical and professional topics.

The Valade Master Teacher Endowment was made possible through the generosity of Arts Camp alumna Margaret Valade and her husband, Gary Valade, a life trustee of Interlochen Center for the Arts. A vital source of funding for recruiting and retaining sought-after faculty, the endowment has supported the Valade Fellows since 2005 and the Valade Concertmasters since 2015.

Interlochen Arts Camp previously announced the World Youth Symphony Orchestra’s 2023 conductors and repertoire. Leading conductors JoAnn Falletta, Cristian Măcelaru, Erina Yashima, Jader Bignamini, Gemma New, and Jung-Ho Pak will work with Interlochen’s students. Their repertoire includes symphonies from Beethoven, Mahler, Shostakovich, Prokofiev, and more. The season will close with the traditional performance of Franz Liszt’s “Les Préludes.”  

Interlochen Arts Camp is the nation’s premier multidisciplinary summer arts program, where emerging artists transform passion and potential into purpose. Guided by internationally renowned artists, campers ages 8 to 18 study music, theatre, dance, visual arts, creative writing, and film in a glorious, natural setting with like-minded peers.

Interlochen Arts Camp 2023 is still accepting applications; availability is limited and prospective students are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Concertmasters

Margaret Batjer 
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra

Celeste Golden 
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra

Martin Chalifour 
Los Angeles Philharmonic

Dennis Kim 
Pacific Symphony

Timothy Lees  
Former Concertmaster, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Jeff Thayer 
San Diego Symphony

Fellows

Sharon Sparrow 
Assistant Principal Flute, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Matthew Roitstein 
Associate Principal Flute, Houston Symphony Orchestra

Linda Strommen 
Professor of Oboe, Indiana University

Pedro Díaz     
Oboe/English Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

YaoGuang Zhai 
Principal Clarinet, Baltimore Symphony Orchestra 
             
Keith Buncke 
Principal Bassoon, Chicago Symphony Orchestra

William Short 
Principal Bassoon, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

Zach Shemon 
Associate Professor of Saxophone, University of Missouri-Kansas City

Tim McAllister 
Professor of Saxophone, University of Michigan

Bruce Henniss     
Associate Professor of Horn, Ohio State University

Brad GemeinHardt 
Horn, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra

John Aley 
Professor of Trumpet, University of Wisconsin (retired)

Caleb Hudson 
Assistant Professor of Trumpet, University of North Texas; Member, Canadian Brass

Mark Lusk     
Professor of Trombone, Penn State University

Ben Green 
Trombone, Bern Symphony Orchestra

Philip Sinder     
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, Michigan State University

David Zerkel 
Professor of Tuba and Euphonium, University of Michigan

Ross Karre     
Associate Professor of Percussion, Oberlin Conservatory

Keith Aleo     
Instructor of Percussion, Interlochen Arts Academy

Christian Colberg 
Former Concertmaster, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra

Eric Nowlin     
Principal Viola, Detroit Symphony Orchestra

Natalie Helm 
Principal Cello, Sarasota Orchestra

Melissa Kraut 
Cello Department Co-Chair, Cleveland Institute of Music

Kurt Muroki 
Professor of Double Bass, Indiana University

Lawrence P. Hurst 
Professor of Strings, Indiana University (retired)