The Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program is a two-year program 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. The legacy of Paul J. Ross is notable for nurturing, mentoring, and supporting young musicians, and his devotion to sharing his joy of music. The fellowship program was begun in the 2007-2008 season to promote professional training for musicians enabling the field to better reflect the communities and audiences that orchestras serve. 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 universally welcoming environment.

• The Fellowship runs for two PSO seasons (starting each September).
• Compensation and Benefits:  
  • Minimum annual pay each season is equivalent to 21 weeks at orchestra weekly scale.
  • Single coverage on PSO medical, dental, instrument insurance, life and accident insurance plans.
  • Reimbursement of up to $8,000 per season in audition and professional development expenses such as lessons, travel, hotel, sheet music, AFM membership, etc.
  • Allowance for relocation to and from Pittsburgh at start and end of Fellowship
• Fellows play a minimum of 100 services with the PSO across all program types (Classical Subscription, Pops, Education, Community Outreach), scheduled collaboratively to accommodate auditions and related preparation, as well as outside professional opportunities.
  • Fellows playing more than 112 services receive additional compensation at the extra musician rate (1/8 minimum orchestra weekly scale per-service).
  • Annual pay includes an allowance for dedicated study time.
• Fellows have the ability and opportunity to tailor their experience to their own specific needs, including: 
  • Mentorship from and mock auditions with members of the PSO
  • Time on stage at Heinz Hall to take lessons or for personal practice
  • Opportunity to observe PSO member auditions for insight on the audition process
  • Working with the Learning and Community Engagement Department in schools, hospitals, and community settings
  • Consideration for a solo opportunity with the PSO
• All applicants will be considered for Pittsburgh Symphony substitute musician opportunities
   

2025-2026 and 2026-2027 Seasons

Christian Harvey, Christian Harvey, a double bassist from Riverdale, GA, is part of a rising generation of double bassists. His musical journey began at Martha Ellen Stilwell School of the Arts, where he performed at venues including Carnegie Hall (NY). While in graduate school in Houston, TX, he was a Community Embedded Fellow with the Houston Symphony, helping organize and perform concerts throughout the city. He also joined the Young Artist Program with DACAMERA, developing as a passionate, forward-thinking “citizen artist.” Christian is the 2025–2027 Resident Fellow with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra. He has participated in the Tanglewood Music Center, Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, Texas Music Festival, Domaine Forgét, and Sewanee Music Center. In 2023, he placed third in the National Association for Negro Musicians Strings Competition and was a 2024 finalist in the Ima Hogg Concerto Competition. He earned his Bachelor’s degree at Columbus State University (GA) under Jackie Pickett and Patricia Weitzel, and his Master’s at Rice University under Paul Ellison and Timothy Pitts.

Jacob Ogbu, Jacob Ogbu is a trombonist based in New York City, originally from Frisco, Texas. A passionate performer and collaborator, Jacob completed his studies at the Manhattan School of Music, where he trained under Colin Williams (New York Philharmonic) and Demian Austin (Metropolitan Opera). Within his time in New York, Jacob has had the pleasure of performing with ensembles including the New Jersey Symphony and the Color of Noize orchestra, sharing the stage with Grammy award-winning artists Derrick Hodge and Angélique Kidjo. In 2022, he was honored to premiere Jason Nitsch’s Dance Party at the Midwest Band and Orchestra Clinic, performing with the Lone Star High School Band. Jacob discovered his love for music at age 11 through the euphonium, a journey that soon led him to the trombone and further into the world of music. In the summer of 2024, he was selected as a fellow at the Aspen Music Festival, studying with Dr. Per Brevig, Peter Sullivan, Tim Higgins, and James Miller. While there, he won the Brass Concerto Competition and performed Lars-Erik Larsson’s Concertino for Trombone and String Orchestra. He returns to Aspen in 2025 as the Chamber Symphony Fellow.

2024-2025 and 2025-2026 Seasons

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.

Landon Young 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. Outside of performing, Landon enjoys watching and practicing gymnastics. He also composes music and has contributed to various video game soundtracks for developers in the Ann Arbor area.

The Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra is a partner orchestra of the National Alliance for Audition Support—an unprecedented national initiative of The Sphinx Organization, New World Symphony, and the League of American Orchestras, to increase diversity in American orchestras. Prior Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra Fellows have experienced substantial career advancement as a result of the fellowship:

• 2019-2022 Fellow Shantanique Moore, flute, won a position as the African American Orchestra Fellow with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra for their 2022-23 season. Ms. Moore was named the eighth OTPAAM Fellow for the 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 seasons and was the first Paul J. Ross Fellow during the 2021-2022 season. 
• 2017-2019 Fellow Joshua Jones, percussion, won a position with the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra as Principal Percussion during the first year of the fellowship. He previously served as Principal Percussion of the Kansas City Symphony and now serves as Principal Percussion of the Grant Park Orchestra.
• 2015-2017 Fellow Torrell Moss, percussion, was accepted as an Artist Diploma candidate at Frost School of Music at the University of Miami, as a result of his fellowship. Moss has recently held positions with the Rainey Institute and Ashland Symphony Orchestra in Ohio, and performed in M.U.S.i.C.’s Stars in the Classics garden concert in 2020.
• 2013-2015 Fellow Adedeji Ogunfolu, horn, won a position with the San Antonio Symphony during the first year of the fellowship. He joined the Pacific Symphony as second horn in 2018, and has been appointed as Professor of Horn at the University of California, Irvine.
• 2011-2013 Fellow Ryan Murphy, cello, won a position with the San Antonio Symphony in 2012 and is currently in his ninth season with the orchestra.
• 2007-2008 Fellow Geoffrey Johnson, oboe, was the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra’s first OTPAAM Fellow. He won acting second oboe of the Detroit Symphony from 2014-2017, and he is currently a private lessons teacher and guest oboist in major orchestras across the country.

The Paul J. Ross Fellowship is made possible, in part, thanks to generous funding from the Arts, Equity, & Education Fund; the PA Department of Education with support from State Senator Camera Bartolotta; Hans & Leslie Fleischner; Anonymous Friends of the Orchestra; and EQT Foundation.

The Arts, Equity, & Education Fund and Leslie and the late Hans Fleischner also seek to inspire others who believe in the mission of the Paul J. Ross Fellowship Program by pledging funds of an additional $150,000 to be matched by new and increased gifts to the Pittsburgh Symphony specifically for this program through the 2025/2026 season. If successfully matched, the financial need for the program will be almost fully met for all four years.