Simone Porter, violin Performs on Simone Porter Plays Philip Glass, February 22-23, 2025 Violinist Simone Porter has been recognized as an emerging artist of impassioned energy, interpretive integrity, and vibrant communication. After performing last season with Gustavo Dudamel and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the LA Times declared Simone “on the cusp of a major career.”…

Zee Zee, piano Performs on Zee Zee Plays Liszt, January 25-26, 2025 An imaginative and electrifying performer, Zee Zee, is unique among the young generation of pianists. Described as “full of enthusiasm and glamour, radiating the vigor of youth” (Chinese Gramophone), her interpretations and communicative abilities have been praised as “taking us to another reality……

Andrei Ioniță, cello Andrei Ioniță plays on Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony, November 2-3, 2024 “…a fully individual musical personality…with a sparking technique and the priceless ability to respond to what is going on around him while he is displaying it.” – The Guardian The Gold Medal-winner at the 2015 XV International Tchaikovsky Competition, Andrei Ioniță is…

Aaron Diehl, piano Performs on Aaron Diehl Plays Gershwin, September 28-29, 2024 “Diehl has built his reputation on an elegant pianism outside the contemporary mainstream…upholds a traditional framework while crisply demolishing the usual notions of conservatism” ‍– The New York Times Pianist Aaron Diehl has quietly re-defined the lines between jazz and classical, and built…

Valery Saul, Associate Conductor   valerysaul.com Described as a “powerful presence on the podium” by Marin Alsop, conductor Valery Saul is recognized for her dynamic leadership, technical command, and charismatic rapport with musicians and audiences alike. She is in her second season as Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as cover…

www.valerysaul.com Described as a “powerful presence on the podium” by Marin Alsop, Valery Saul is recognized for her dynamic leadership and musicality. She was recently appointed the Associate Conductor of the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra and also serves as a cover conductor for the Minnesota Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony, and Oregon Symphony. In…

Oboe Principal, Rachel Fuller Memorial Chair Leanna Renfro joined the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra as Principal Oboe in September 2013. She was Principal Oboe with the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra from 2007 to 2015. In previous positions she has served as Adjunct Instructor of Oboe at Belmont University in Nashville, Principal Oboe of the Kentucky Symphony and…

Geoffrey Robson, Music Director www.geoffreyrobson.com Named winner of the 2017 Respighi Prize in Conducting by the Chamber Orchestra of New York, Geoffrey Robson has emerged as a force of artistic leadership throughout the United States and the state of Arkansas. The Arkansas Symphony Orchestra has named Maestro Robson as its next Music Director after a…