The Orchestra
Orchestra Roster
Under the baton of Music & Artistic Director, Nir Kabaretti, the sound of the Santa Barbara Symphony is uniquely ours. A singular sound coming from our 70 musicians. When the music stopped in the spring of 2020, we began hearing from our patrons asking how individuals were doing. You missed more than the music; you missed our family of musicians.
Soon you will be able to click on the names below to get to know our extraordinary musicians a little better – we’re adding photos, biographies, and video messages (keep checking back for updates!)
During COVID-19, The Symphony was committed to continuing to employ our family of musicians. More recently, The Symphony has become a de facto orchestra-for-hire among prestigious entertainers and other local organizations. These opportunities provide additional employment engagements for our musicians. If you would like to lend your support and “Adopt-a-Musician” for the 2026/27 Season, please CLICK HERE for sponsorship information.
Your 2026/27 Season Orchestra
Violin
Jessica Guideri, Concertmaster
-- Tom & Christine Frisina --
Musician Sponsor
Ina Veli, Assistant Concertmaster
2nd Violin
Ryo Usami, Principal
Yue Deng*, Assistant Principal Second violin
-- Veronique Chevalier --
Musician Sponsor
Section Violin
Ji-Young An
Agatha Blevin
Andrew Kwon
Claude-Lise LaFranque*
Bethany Mennemeyer*
Ariana O’Connell
Michelle Sheehy
Jacqueline Suzuki*
-- Marilyn Gilbert --
Musician Sponsor
Vacant
Viola
Diane Gilbert
-- Pat & Terry Straehhley --
Musician Sponsor
Hope Hyink
Alice Ping
Hyeree Yu*
Vacant
Cello
-- Geoffrey Rutkowski Chair --
-- Barbara H. Burger Chair --
Patricia Garvey King
Jacqueline Greenshields*
-- Dan & Meg Burnham --
Musician Sponsor
Kevin Mills
Bass
Flute
Amy Tatum, Principal
Jamie Pedrini, Second Chair
Katherine Marsh, Third Chair
Oboe
Lara Wickes, Principal
-- John & Pamela Johnston --
Musician Sponsor
Jennifer Cullinan, Second Chair
-- Samuel M. & Alene S. Hedgpeth --
Musician Sponsor
Sarah Beck, Third Chair
Clarinet
Juan Gallegos, Second Chair
Vacant, Third Chair
Bassoon
Andy Radford*, Principal
-- Dick & Ann Zylstra --
Musician Sponsor
Dana Jackson, Second Chair
Leslie Lashinsky, Third Chair
Horn
Stephanie Thomas, Second Chair
Sarah Bach, Third Chair
Melia Badalian, Fourth Chair
Trumpet
Dustin McKinney, Second Chair
Miles McAllister, Third Chair
Trombone
Brad Close*, Second Chair
Rudi Hoehn, Third Chair
Tuba
Luke Storm, Principal
-- Percy Sales & Ross Beardsley --
Musician Sponsor
Harp
Michelle Temple, Principal
Piano
Natasha Kislenko*, Principal
Timpani
Vacant, Principal
Percussion
Eduardo Meneses, Principal
Vacant, Second Chair
Personnel Manager
Ryan Sweeney*
Librarian
Brent Anderson
* Graduate of the Music Academy of the West
