San Francisco Symphony Welcomes New Musicians

The new members are Christopher Bassett, Bowen Ha, Jeein Kim, Orion Miller, Anne Richardson, Yuhsin Galaxy Su, and Davis You

The San Francisco Symphony (SFS) and its Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen have appointed seven new musicians to the orchestra’s roster as of September in time for the 2024/25 concert season. 

The new members and their positions in the orchestra are Christopher Bassett, bass trombone; Bowen Ha, Fourth Chair Bass; Jeein Kim, Section First Violin: Orion Miller, Section Bass; Anne Richardson, Associate Principal Cello; Yuhsin Galaxy Su, Second Clarinet; and Davis You, Fourth Chair Cello.

According to the press release, the seven musicians will perform their first concerts with the SFS in the “Music from Studio Ghibli” program from September 5–8, 2024.   

Christopher Bassett previously served as bass trombone with the St. Louis Symphony, Jacksonville Symphony, and Santa Fe Opera, plus has performed with the Boston Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, Cincinnati Symphony, Detroit Symphony, and Indianapolis Symphony. Last season, he played with the SFS as a substitute musician. A graduate of the New England Conservatory and Columbus State University, Bassett won the grand prize in the Zellmer Trombone Competition and first prizes in the Edward Kleinhammer and ITA Trombone Quartet competitions.  

Bassist Bowen Ha is currently a master’s student at The Juilliard School and has performed as a substitute musician with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Indianapolis Symphony. Born in Shanghai, Ha studied at the Middle School Affiliated to Shanghai Conservatory, before moving to the U.S. to study at Interlochen Arts Academy. Ha has been a prizewinner at numerous competitions including the Tang Rhyme Carnival International Double Bass Competition and the International Concerto Competition of the Master Players Festival & School, among others. 

Violinist Jeein Kim was previously a member of the Korean National Symphony Orchestra and has been a substitute musician with the Chicago Symphony. A graduate of the Yale School of Music, New England Conservatory, and Yonsei University, Kim has also attended the Taos School of Music, Heifetz Summer Institute, and Norfolk Chamber Music Festival.  Kim has performed solo with Praha Hradec Kralove Philharmonic Orchestra, Yonsei University Orchestra, Prime Philharmonic Orchestra, JK Chamber Orchestra, and Northwest Sinfonietta, plus won top prizes at the Menuhin Competition, Seoul International Music Competition, and the Northwest Sinfonietta Youth Competition.  

Bassist Orion Miller previously played with the London Symphony as a Keston Max Fellow and as a substitute musician with the Houston Symphony and the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He is a graduate of the Shepherd School of Music and has served as principal bass for the NYO-USA and the New York String Orchestra Seminar. He has been a fellow at the Tanglewood Music Center, Music Academy of West, and Aspen Music Festival, plus a prize winner at the Ruth Burr Competition, Lynn Harrell Competition, International Society of Bassists Orchestral Competition, and National YoungArts Foundation. 

A graduate of The Juilliard School, cellist Anne Richardson earned her doctorate at the University of Michigan. Recently, she was an academy fellow with the Bavarian Radio Symphony and was named the artist in residence at Kentucky Center’s Gheens in 2019 and at the Tennessee Cello Workshop in 2018. As a soloist, she has appeared with the Louisville Orchestra, Massapequa Philharmonic, Bryan Symphony Orchestra, and Juilliard Orchestra. Further, she has been featured by Lincoln Center’s Great Performance Circle, Juilliard in Aiken Festival, and the Vail International Dance Festival. 

Clarinetist Yuhsin Galaxy Su studied at the Curtis Institute of Music before recently completing her master’s at the Colburn School of Music. She has played solo at the Musique et Vin Music Festival and Marlboro Music Festival and won top prizes at the HSNU Concerto Competition, International Morningside Music Bridge, Young Classical Virtuoso of Tomorrow Music Competition; she also has two Chimei Arts Awards. Other highlights include performing Schoenberg’s Pierrot lunaire in fully choreographed productions at the Kimmel Center, Columbia University, Kennedy Center, and Curtis Field Recital Hall. 

Cellist Davis You studied at the New England Conservatory and regularly appeared as principal cello of the NEC Philharmonia. He was also a member of Quartet Luminera, which won the silver medal at the Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. You has appeared at San Francisco International Piano Festival, Wellesley Chamber Players Series, Taos Chamber Music Festival, Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, and on NPR’s From the Top. His chamber music partners have included Miriam Fried, Paul Biss, and the Borromeo String Quartet. Additionally, You has won prizes at the Hudson Valley Philharmonic String Competition, National YoungArts Foundation Competition, Borromeo Quartet Guest Artist Award Competition. 

Additionally, the SFS shared the departure of two musicians at the end of the 2023/24 season — Associate Principal Horn Mark Almond, who is now Principal Horn of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and Utility Horn Daniel Hawkins, who was appointed Principal Horn of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Associate Principal Trombone Nicholas Platoff will be on leave during the 2024/25 season, while serving as Principal Trombone of the Houston Symphony.