Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Welcomes New Musicians

Six new musicians including three violinists will join the orchestra from the 2024/25 season

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra (ASO) and its Music Director Nathalie Stutzmann has appointed six new musicians to begin their tenures as of the orchestra’s upcoming 80th concert season. 

Among the new members include violinist Lauren Roth, who will join as Assistant Concertmaster, and Paolo Dara and Paul Halberstadt, who will both join the orchestra’s Second Violin section. 

Lauren Roth was previously concertmaster of the Tucson Symphony Orchestra and served on the faculty of the University of Arizona as an Assistant Professor of Violin for 11 years. 

Her performance highlights include solo appearances in the Czech Republic, as well as with the Tucson Symphony Orchestra, Jacksonville Symphony, Buffalo Philharmonic, and Baltimore Symphony.

Paolo Dara most recently served as Principal Viola of the Grand Rapids Symphony and Principal Second Violin of the Akron Symphony. 

Since making his concerto debut at the age of 15 with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra, Dara has played solo with the Grand Rapids Symphony, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony, Detroit Civic Symphony, and Kent Philharmonic. He has also performed in the sections of the Chicago and Detroit Symphonies.

Prior to joining ASO, Paul Halberstadt was Associate Concertmaster of the Alabama Symphony Orchestra for two years. He has frequently served as Concertmaster of the Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra, Canton Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Institute of Music Orchestra, Eastman Philharmonia, Brevard Sinfonia, and the National Festival Orchestra.

Additionally, Halberstadt has played the Minnesota Orchestra, ProMusica Chamber Orchestra of Columbus, Cleveland Pops Orchestra, Glens Falls Symphony, and the Symphoria Orchestra of Syracuse.

The ASO has also appointed Cameron Bonner as Principal Bassoon, Andrew Burhans as Associate Principal Horn, and Ivan Valbuena as Associate Principal Clarinet/E-flat Clarinet. Finan Jones will also join the orchestra as Conducting Fellow.

“We are delighted to welcome these new musicians to the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra family,” said ASO’s Executive Director Jenifer Barlament in the press release. “They are among the best and brightest in the world.”