FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2024
Media Contacts:Cally Jamis Vennare, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, cjvennare@pittsburghsymphony.org
Keene Carter, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, kcarter@pittsburghsymphony.org
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PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA APPOINTS ASSOCIATE CONCERTMASTER,
ASSISTANT CONCERTMASTER, TWO NEW CELLISTS, AND TWO NEW PAUL J. ROSS FELLOWS
PITTSBURGH, PA— The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) Music Director Manfred Honeck and President and CEO Melia Tourangeau are pleased to announce several new appointments to its esteemed roster of musicians. Current PSO musicians who are receiving new appointments include first violinist Justine Campagna to Associate Concertmaster and Dylan Naroff to Assistant Concertmaster. New members joining the PSO include Dale Jeong, Associate Principal Cello, and Yun-Ya Lo, section cello.
Pittsburgh Symphony also confirmed the appointments of two new Paul J. Ross Fellows — Carlos Clark, bassoon, and Landon Young, horn — for its 2024-2026 seasons. Clark and Young will join returning fellows Drew Collins, bass, and Joshua Carr, trumpet, for a total of four Paul J. Ross fellows in PSO’s 2024/2025 season. The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program is a two-year program designed to enable musicians identifying as Black or African American to pursue an orchestral career. The Fellowship is named in honor of the late Paul J. Ross, the violinist who, in 1965, was the first African American musician to receive a full-time contract from the Pittsburgh Symphony. Fellows work closely alongside members of the Pittsburgh Symphony to train and prepare for professional auditions and opportunities, with substantial financial and professional development support, and robust mentorship in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
“I am extremely proud to announce these important appointments to the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. Justine Campagna, Dylan Naroff, Dale Jeong, and Yun-Ya Lo are four world-class musicians who share PSO’s dedication to artistic excellence, passion for enriching every life through music, and deep commitment to music learning and education,” said Manfred Honeck. “Each of these artists is dedicated to transforming lives through the power of music — both here in our region and around the world as Pittsburgh’s cultural ambassadors. In a very competitive field of fellow musicians, they were chosen to be part of the exceptional roster that makes Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra one of the premier American orchestras of the 21st Century.”
“Carlos Clark and Landon Young are talented emerging musicians who will make outstanding contributions to the PSO over the next two seasons,” added Melia Tourangeau. “I am equally proud of their appointments and of PSO’s commitment to honoring the legacy of the late PSO violinist Paul J. Ross, whose commitment to nurturing, mentoring, and supporting young musicians lives on through this Fellowship.”
ABOUT THE MUSICIANS
Justine Campagna, associate concertmaster. Justine Campagna joined the Pittsburgh Symphony as first violin in the 2018-2019 season. Prior to joining the Pittsburgh Symphony, Campagna held the position of associate concertmaster of the Kansas City Symphony for four seasons, where she also performed numerous times as soloist. She previously held the position of concertmaster with the Canton Symphony Orchestra, the Mansfield Symphony, and the National Philharmonic, as well as associate concertmaster of the Akron Symphony Orchestra. She has performed as guest concertmaster and soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, and guest concertmaster with the National Symphony Orchestra and the Buffalo Philharmonic. Campagna frequently performs with the Philadelphia Orchestra and the Cleveland Orchestra, and has participated in the Aspen Music Festival, Tanglewood Music Center, and Verbier Festival Orchestras. She holds an artist diploma in Concertmaster Studies from the Cleveland Institute of Music, and a bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music.
Dylan Naroff, assistant concertmaster. Dylan Naroff joined the Pittsburgh Symphony as first violin in the 2022-2023 season. Prior to his appointment, he was a member of the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra for one season. Winner of the silver medal at the 2013 Fischoff National Chamber Competition, he had performed with members of the Tokyo and Vermeer Quartets. He was awarded the Young Artist Award from the Interlochen Arts Academy and holds a Bachelor of Music from the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, where he studied with Alexander Kerr. While at IU, he developed a deep appreciation for opera and, in 2017, was a guest musician with the Deutsche Oper Berlin. During the summers, he is a member of the Sun Valley Music Festival. Dylan is a certified Suzuki teacher who is committed to his students and their musical journeys.
Dale Jeong, associate principal cello. Born in Korea and raised in Toronto, Canada, Dale Jeong was appointed to the position of associate principal cellist of the Pittsburgh Symphony at age 21. Dale holds a Bachelor of Music from The Juilliard School in the studio of Clara Minhye Kim. Previously he was a full scholarship student at the Phil and Eli Taylor Performance Academy for Young Artists in the studio of David Hetherington and Joseph Johnson, both from the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Dale served as principal cello in the Juilliard Orchestra, Pacific Music Festival Orchestra, Taylor Academy Chamber Orchestra, and Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. He was the assistant principal cello at Moritzburg Festival Orchestra in Dresden, Germany. Dale has performed as a soloist with numerous orchestras including Incheon Philharmonic Orchestra, Oakville Chamber Orchestra, and Toronto Symphony Orchestra and in many of the world’s prestigious halls including Carnegie Hall, Alice Tully Hall, Sapporo Concert Hall 'Kitara', and Suntory Hall in Japan. In 2022, Dale was chosen by CBC Music as one of Canada’s top 30 classical musicians under the age of 30.
Yun-Ya Lo, section cello. Born in Taiwan, Yun-Ya Lo is currently working on her doctoral degree in cello performance at Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, under the guidance of Brandon Vamos from the Pacifica Quartet. She previously studied with Richard Aaron at The Juilliard School, where she earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in five years. Lo has participated and performed in several music festivals, including Pacific Music Festival, Seiji Ozawa Music Academy, Aspen Music Festival and School, Meadowmount School of Music, Morningside Music Bridge, and Taipei Music Academy and Festival. She has also won in competitions including New York International Artists Competition, IU Concerto Competition, International Music Competition Grand Prize Virtuoso in London, American Protege International Competition of Romantic Music, and Osaka International Music Competition.
Landon Young, horn. Before joining the Pittsburgh Symphony, Landon shared his musical talent as a freelance musician in Eastern Michigan and the Chicagoland area. He performed as the 4th horn for the Adrian Symphony Orchestra and as both Principal and 4th horn for the Highland Park Strings Orchestra. Landon's journey has been marked by passion and skill, from performances with the Northwestern University Symphonic Wind Ensemble to collaborations with Wynton Marsalis for the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra for Marsalis’s own piece, All Rise in 2022 and 2024. In 2018, Landon established his roots in music education with Adedeji Ogunfolu, former Paul J. Ross fellow, current LA recording artist and member of the Pacific Symphony. Landon earned a bachelor’s degree from the University of Michigan in 2023, studying under Adam Unsworth and Brian Kennedy, graduating with highest honors and a minor in German. Continuing to grow, Landon is currently pursuing a master’s degree at Northwestern University under the tutelage of the legendary Gail Williams and Jonathan Boen.
Carlos Clark, bassoon. Carlos Clark is a bassoonist from Belleville, MI. Along with being principal bassoon of The Atlanta Opera, Carlos plays frequently with orchestras throughout the Midwest and Southeastern U.S. Mr. Clark studied under William Buchman, Keith Buncke, and Miles Manor of the Chicago Symphony. He also earned his bachelor's degree from Central Michigan University under MaryBeth Minnis.
WITH GRATITUDE
The Paul J. Ross Fellowship is made possible, in part, thanks to generous funding from the PA Department of Education with support from State Senator Camera Bartolotta; the Arts, Equity, & Education Fund; Hans & Leslie Fleischner; and the National Endowment for the Arts. Pittsburgh Symphony is grateful to EQT Foundation for their generous support of the Paul J. Ross Fellowship.
ABOUT THE PITTSBURGH SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
Now in its 128th season, the internationally acclaimed Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO) engages audiences of all ages through unparalleled live musical experiences, community collaborations, and educational programming that enrich every life with great music.
The GRAMMY® Award-winning symphony has been led by worldwide acclaimed Music Director Manfred Honeck since 2008. Past music directors have included many of the greats, including Fritz Reiner, William Steinberg, André Previn, Lorin Maazel, and Mariss Jansons. The Pittsburgh Symphony has a long and illustrious history in the areas of recordings and live radio broadcasts dating back to the 1930s. Lauded as the Pittsburgh region’s international cultural ambassador, the orchestra began touring in 1896 and has embarked on scores of domestic and international tours. Heinz Hall, PSO’s home located at 600 Penn Avenue in downtown Pittsburgh, is also owned and operated by the Pittsburgh Symphony. Follow the Pittsburgh Symphony online at pittsburghsymphony.org, on Facebook, on Instagram, and on YouTube.
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