Violinist Daniel Hope Joins Wolf Trap Foundation as New Artistic Advisor for Chamber Music

Hope will assume the role as of the 2025/26 season, succeeding pianist Wu Han

The Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts is a nonprofit that presents year-round performance and education programs in Virginia, across the outdoor Filene Center, the Children’s Theatre-in-the-Woods located at Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and The Barns at Wolf Trap. 

As Wolf Trap’s new Artistic Advisor for Chamber Music at The Barns, the British violinist Daniel Hope succeeds pianist Wu Han, who has been in the role for the past seven seasons. 

An acclaimed soloist, ensemble leader, and humanitarian, Hope also serves as Music Director of the Zurich Chamber Orchestra and San Francisco’s New Century Chamber Orchestra. With over 35 years of industry experience, he has recorded dozens of albums and commissioned over 30 new works from prominent composers. 

Additionally, he is the President of the Beethoven-Haus Bonn, and will be stepping up as Intendant and Artistic Director of the Gstaad Menuhin Festival in November 2025.

In a season launch showcasing a diverse repertoire performed by renowned artists, Hope and Wu Han will perform a special concert together at The Barns — joined by cellist David Finckel — featuring piano trios by Haydn, Beethoven, and Dvořák on March 8, 2026. 

“Serving as the Artistic Advisor of Wolf Trap's Chamber Music Series over the past seven years has been a true honor,” Han said. “I have been deeply inspired by the audience whose support fuels this series. As I pass the baton to Daniel Hope, I do so with immense pride and joy and look forward to returning to the Wolf Trap stage next season!”

“We could not be more excited to have Daniel Hope join us as our next Artistic Advisor,” added Lee Anne Myslewski, Vice President, Opera and Classical Programming at Wolf Trap. “His extraordinary artistry and passion for connecting with audiences perfectly aligns with our vision for the future of chamber music at The Barns at Wolf Trap.”

“It is a particular honor to follow in the footsteps of my close friend and esteemed colleague Wu Han, whose vision and energy have shaped this series into one of the most beloved in the country,” Hope expressed. “The Barns at Wolf Trap — with its inviting character, superb acoustics, and intimate atmosphere — offers a rare space where music feels personal and profound. As Duke Ellington poignantly said, ‘Music is the strongest form of magic.’ I look forward to sharing that magic with audiences in this extraordinary setting, and to crafting seasons filled with inspiration, discovery, and joy.”