Robert Patterson, clarinet

Rob is Assistant Professor of Clarinet at Boston University's School of Music, founder of the online program The Clarinet Sessions, and Acting Principal Clarinet of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra. A passionate educator, Rob is on the faculty for Aria International Summer Academy and is a frequent coach with the Boston Youth Symphony Orchestra. Rob has been a guest instructor at the Curtis Institute of Music and at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music.

Recent masterclass invitations have included the San Francisco Conservatory, Indiana University, University of California Los Angeles, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Peabody Institute, University of North Texas, University of Toronto, Grieg Academy (Norway), Sibelius Academy (Finland), and Royal College of Music (Sweden). Rob has served on the faculty at the University of Virginia, where he was featured in recital and as soloist with the Charlottesville Symphony.

Rob has served as Acting Principal Clarinet with the Baltimore and Louisville Orchestras as well as Principal Clarinet with the Charlottesville Symphony and Lyrique-en-Mer Festival Orchestra in France. Additionally, he has served as guest Principal Clarinet for the orchestras of Albany, Chautauqua, Cincinnati, Richmond, Huntsville, Modesto, Pasadena, Peoria, as well as the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.

Rob’s chamber music performances have taken him across North and South America, Europe and Asia. He has performed contemporary music as a member of the VERGE Ensemble in Washington, DC, with the San Francisco Contemporary Players, and was previously a member of the Philadelphia-based Ensemble 39, which was also invited to serve in residence at the Teatro del Lago in Frutillar, Chile.

Mr. Patterson has been the featured soloist in Copland’s Clarinet Concerto with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and the Charlottesville Symphony as well as the Mozart Clarinet Concerto with the Lyrique-En-Mer (Le Palais, France) Orchestra, Binghamton Philharmonic, Middletown Symphony Orchestra, and the Howard County (Maryland) Concert Players. As a former Strathmore Music Center Artist in Residence, Mr. Patterson presented a series of solo recitals, masterclasses, educational concerts, and a recital at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, including the World-Premiere of John B Hedges’ Three Pieces for Solo Clarinet.

Festival appearances include Moab, Mendocino, Festival Napa Valley, The Peninsula Music Festival, Bravo! Vail, Festival Lyrique-En-Mer, Garth Newel Music Center, Music from Angel Fire, and the Yellow Barn Music Festival.

Hailing from Cincinnati, OH, Mr. Patterson earned degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music and the University of Southern California. His principal teachers were Yehuda Gilad, Richard Hawley, and Donald Montanaro.

Mr. Patterson is proud to be a D'Addario and Buffet-Crampon performing artist.

Please visit www.robwpatterson.com for more information.

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Upcoming Performances

Jonathan Flaksman, assistant principal cello

Jonathan Flaksman, born in Akron, Ohio in 1981, started playing the cello at five years of age. His first regular teacher was Madalena Burle-Marx. He studied at the Cleveland Institute of Music with Richard Aaron and at the Juilliard School with Fred Sherry. He graduated from Mannheim University in Germany in the class of his father Michael Flaksman and completed an artist diploma in orchestral studies. He has had master classes with Harvey Shapiro, Siegfried Palm, Bernard Greenhouse, Youngchang Cho, Jens Peter Maintz, Frans Helmerson, and Ralph Kirshbaum among many others. He attended Interlochen Arts Camp and music festivals in Aspen, Schleswig-Holstein, Cividale (Italy), Łancut (Poland), and Aurora Chamber Music in Sweden. He played in the orchestra of the National Theater Mannheim, and as principal cellist of Pfalztheater Kaiserslautern and La Folia Baroque Orchestra. As soloist and chamber musician he has traveled the United States, Europe, and Asia. He attends the Ascoli Piceno Festival annually and performed as soloist with the Bari Symphony at the Carl Orff Festival in Putignano. He has given masterclasses in Italy and in California and has served on the jury of various competitions. He currently lives in Los Angeles, is active as a composer and arranger, and records for tv and film. He plays with the Pasadena Symphony, is Assistant Principal Cellist of Santa Barbara Symphony, New Mexico Philharmonic, and Vallejo Symphony, and is a member of the Long Beach Symphony. Starting in 2025, he is a core member of the Hawai’i Symphony. He has played with Modesto Symphony since 2017, and was appointed Assistant Principal Cellist in May 2024.

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Website: hhttps://jonathanflaksman.com/

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Kathleen Balfe, principal cello

Kathleen Balfe has lived in Spain since 2003, where she has built a multifaceted career and developed a variety of styles as a soloist and as a member of various ensembles. A principal cellist of the City of Granada Orchestra between 2007 and 2022 and principal cellist of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra since 2024, she also has been a guest principal cellist with the Royal Orchestra of Seville and the Tenerife Symphony Orchestra.

Kathleen has performed as a soloist on numerous occasions including the premiere of the opera La Bella Susona by Alberto Carretero with the ROSS, the premiere of Kammerkonzert no.2 by Miguel Gálvez-Taroncher with the OCG conducted by José Ramón Encinar, Sinfonia Concertante by Prokofiev with the New World Symphony conducted by Alasdair Neale, and the arrangement/reconstruction of Debussy’s Suite para Violonchelo by Sally Beamish with the OCG conducted by Joseph Swensen.

As a founding member of the Ensemble NeoArs Sonora, she  performed in numerous festivals such as Córdoba XX Festival de Música Contemporánea, Festival de Música Española Manuel de Falla en Cádiz, Festival de Música Clásica en el Escorial, Festival de Bernaola, Quincena Musical de San Sebastián, Jornadas de Música Contemporánea de Sevilla, el Ciclo de Música Contemporánea del Centro Guerrero y el Festival Internacional de Música y Danza de Granada.

Ms. Balfe has collaborated as a chamber musician with the Benaïm Quartet, the Quantum Ensemble, Messiaen Ensemble and the Taller Atlántico, among others. Currently she is a founding member of the Íkaro String Quartet on the island of Tenerife where she is based.

Kathleen Balfe can be heard on Verso, Bis y RCA Records as a member of different groups.

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Website: https://cellobalfe.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cellobalfe/

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Johanna Borenstein, principal flute

Johanna Borenstein is an active orchestral and studio musician in Los Angeles and Principal Flute of the Modesto Symphony. She frequently plays with LA Opera, Pasadena Symphony, Pacific Symphony, Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony and Long Beach Symphony. As a studio musician she has been on movies such as Star Wars IX, Call of the Wild, The Mandalorian, Spies in Disguise, The Grinch, The Greatest Showman, Family Guy among many others. Johanna holds degrees from The Hartt School of Music, San Francisco Conservatory and The Colburn School. She has studied with John Wion, Tim Day and Jim Walker. Since the pandemic Johanna has started a small business making one of a kind Suncatchers, her store Crystal Dracorium is on Etsy. 

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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johanna-borenstein-69257a15

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Performances

Katy Juneau, viola

Katy Juneau is Principal Viola of the Fremont Symphony, Lamplighter’s Theatre Orchestra and West Edge Opera Festival.  Katy is a member of Modesto Symphony & California Symphony. She also plays with Oakland Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Marin Symphony, & Sacramento Philharmonic on a regular basis.

Katy’s most exciting passion project these days is being a member of the FSQ string quartet. In 2018 the Fremont Symphony & Quartet won a Zellerbach family foundation grant for their Lost Voices program. She also enjoys playing with Contra Costa Musical Theatre, and the Island Opera Company. Katy plays chamber music with various smaller ensembles throughout the Bay Area. Since 2013 she has volunteered as a coordinator and player for chamber music programs at Oakland Heights Pacifica Senior Living. Katy has fun playing a variety of musical genres and has been in backup groups accompanying all sorts from Wynton Marsalis, Peidmont Community Church, KISS, Bonnie Raitt, Synchronicity Strings, Kevin Spacey, Storm Large, and Josh Groban to playing in the World Classic Baseball Orchestra on the field at AT&T Park. Katy graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music.

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Performances

Adam Wolf, horn

As a freelance hornist in Los Angeles, Adam Wolf has had a variety of opportunities, including chamber music, orchestral playing, recording work, contemporary music, and solo appearances.

Adam has recorded and performed with many artists and composers, including Miley Cyrus, Will.I.Am, Pete Townsend, Billy Idol, John Debney, Arturo Sandoval, Mark Isham, Jeff Russo, Pinar Toprak, and many more.

As an orchestral player, Adam has had the privilege to perform with the San Diego Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic, Omaha Symphony, and Long Beach Symphony to name a few. He is also Principal Horn of the Redlands Symphony and Third Horn of the Modesto Symphony. In addition to performing, Adam is an accomplished composer whom’s music has been performed on five continents. He is commissioned regularly for concert music and is also the hornist, composer, and founder of Rock Horn Project- a multi-genre fusion band.

In 2017 Adam joined the faculty at the University of Redlands where he serves at the Artist Teacher of Horn and maintains a thriving studio. He is a Performing Artist for Conn-Selmer, and has a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Composition and Performance from California Institute of the Arts.

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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCC9W1p5Ux_OovNo3htPqtZA/featured
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adam.wolf.horn/?hl=en
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/adamwolf777
Pathways (Podcast): https://pathways.libsyn.com/

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Performances

Hiram Rodriguez, trombone

Trombonist, composer, arranger, and multi-instrumentalist, Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez is known for his versatility as well as his enthusiasm for all genres of music. As an instrumentalist, Hiram has been recognized for his expression, engaging programming, and musical creativity. His recital programming often juxtaposes disparate styles including works from the Classical era, the avant-garde, Romanticism, jazz, and commercial. 

An experienced orchestral musician, Hiram currently holds positions as principal trombonist of the New West Symphony and second trombonist of the Modesto Symphony. He has also played with esteemed groups such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Nashville Symphony Orchestra, Santa Barbara Symphony, Santa Monica Symphony, and the Civic Orchestra of Los Angeles. Regarding solo work, Hiram was the winner of the Aspen Music Festival’s Concerto Competition in 2022, alternate for the International Trombone Festival’s 2021 and 2022 Frank Smith Competitions, and received a full-ride scholarship to the Alessia Seminar Asia in 2019 where he was a finalist in its solo competition. Hiram was a recipient of the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship program at UCLA for his master’s degree from 2020 to 2022 and attended Vanderbilt University from 2016 to 2020. Hiram is also a dedicated jazz and commercial musician in the Los Angeles area and was one of eight jazz musicians chosen to perform for the SEC Jazz Septet for the 2018 SEC Football Championship.

As a composer and a performer, Hiram is a dedicated advocate of contemporary music. Hiram commissioned Lila Meretzky for a piece for trombone and electronics entitled Tennessee Air. As a composer, Hiram was commissioned by Rachel Miles Oboe Quintet for oboe and string quartet, and Shapes of a Daughter for soprano and piano with text by poet-soprano Isabella Bruzzese.

On the days when his schedule isn’t packed with music Hiram enjoys reading, watching films, and is a poet/writer.

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Samuel Wamhoff, principal trombone

A native of Fresno, California, Samuel Wamhoff grew up in a musical family, with his father serving as a dedicated music teacher. This early exposure to the arts laid the foundation for a lifelong passion for music. Samuel earned his Bachelor of Music Education degree from San Jose State University in 2016, where he honed his craft as a trombonist under the guidance of distinguished mentors.

Samuel’s professional journey began as the Acting Second Trombone of the San Diego Symphony during the 2017–2018 season. This role showcased his exceptional talent and led to an opportunity to serve as a Trombonist in the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West from 2018 to 2023. During his time with the USAF Band, Samuel performed across the country, captivating audiences with his artistry and precision while representing the Air Force’s proud musical tradition.

In 2022, Samuel joined the Stockton Symphony as Second Trombone, where his skill and dedication earned him a reputation as a cornerstone of the orchestra’s low brass section. In 2024, he was appointed Principal Trombone of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra, a role that highlights his commitment to artistic excellence and leadership within the ensemble. The very next day, Samuel also became Second Trombone of the San Francisco Opera, where he contributes to one of the nation’s premier opera companies, performing in critically acclaimed productions.

In addition to his orchestral work, Samuel has extensive experience performing with renowned ensembles, including the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and other symphonies throughout California. His versatility as a performer spans classical masterworks, contemporary compositions, and chamber music, making him a sought-after collaborator and educator.

Outside of the concert hall, Samuel builds custom trombones, combining his craftsmanship with his deep understanding of brass performance. He is also an active mountain biker, enjoying the thrill of exploring rugged trails and staying connected to nature. Samuel is passionate about inspiring the next generation of musicians and draws from his father’s legacy as a music teacher to cultivate creativity and dedication in his students.

Samuel is honored to serve as Principal Trombone of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and Second Trombone of the San Francisco Opera, dedicating his artistry to both organizations’ rich legacies of musical excellence.

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Ilana Blumberg Thomas, violin

The Violin Player who Does it All...

Whether onstage at Davies Hall or playing to sold-out arena crowds, Ilana Blumberg Thomas has been at home performing for diverse audiences since she was a child. Following her solo debut with the San Francisco Symphony at age 16 for a celebration of renowned violinist Yehudi Menuhin’s historic debut, she embarked on a career that has spanned the worlds of classical and popular music, taken her across several continents and, most importantly, allowed her to share her craft with hundreds of thousands of eager concert-goers along the way.

Appreciating the vibrant variety and forward-thinking energy of the San Francisco Bay Area, Ilana currently lives in the East Bay, balancing a schedule that incorporates symphonic and classical violin concerts, chamber music and recording projects, appearances as an acoustic and electric violinist at prestigious private events, a busy teaching studio, and regular appearances as a popular violinist with an exciting array of celebrated artists. Recent past years have found her onstage supporting major acts including Andrea Bocelli, Michael Bublé, Gregory Porter, Chuck Prophet, Il Divo, Warren Haynes and Josh Groban, to name a few. With electronic duo ODESZA, she was featured in performances on NYE in San Francisco, at their inaugural music festival in Riviera Maya, Mexico, and at their tour finale shows in Stanford and Los Angeles, all of which received rave reviews and helped her satisfy her passion for electric violin music.

On classical violin, Ilana regularly appears with area orchestras from San Jose to Sacramento, including the Oakland Symphony, Santa Rosa Symphony, Berkeley Symphony, Symphony Silicon Valley, and the Modesto Symphony, where she serves as Associate Concertmaster. Other regular collaborations include the Left Coast Chamber Ensemble, West Edge Opera, Earplay, Opera Parallele and guest appearances with many other established groups. She also treasures her role as a wedding violinist, helping innumerable couples seal their vows and celebrate their happiest of days with everything from Ed Sheeran songs to R&B hits to traditional favorites like the Pachelbel Canon. 

Before her return to her native Bay Area, Ilana lived in New York City, where she performed as a popular violinist, in renowned chamber orchestras such as Philharmonia Virtuosi, and in various Broadway productions, including Elton John’s Aida and the Tony Award-winning Producers. Her Broadway affiliations have continued on the West Coast with ‘The Unreachable Stars’, featuring Phantom of the Opera lead Jeremy Stolle, and supporting the recent SF production of Anastasia. She also has appeared at all the major American music festivals, including Aspen, Marlboro, Santa Fe Chamber Music, and Tanglewood, where she participated in recording a series of videos with Wynton Marsalis. Her other recordings can be heard on the Deutsche Grammophon, Argo, and Albany labels.

When not performing, Ilana devotes herself to nurturing her varied group of students, ranging in age from 3 to ‘not willing to admit their age’, and her two sons. Never one to do anything halfway, she balances her love of distance running with a marginally unhealthy obsession with cookbooks.

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Website: https://www.sfweddingviolinist.com/

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Upcoming Performances

Don Grishaw, MSYO Concert Orchestra Conductor

Donald Grishaw began piano and violin lessons at an early age. His interest in music flourished throughout his high school years. He attended San Jose State University, graduating in 1979 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Performance in violin and piano and a minor in Spanish. While attending SJSU, he studied the violin with the late Dr. Lauren Jakey and also with Daniel Kobialka of the San Francisco Symphony. Upon graduation, Mr. Grishaw pursued Single Subject and Multiple Subject teaching credentials and taught in the Turlock Unified School District for 37 years. He recently retired from Pitman High School where he taught Concert Orchestra and Chamber Orchestra as well as Spanish 2 and AP Spanish Literature. With the opening of Pitman High School in 2002, Mr. Grishaw founded the Pitman High School Orchestra which now includes over 80 students, and has received accolades both locally and in Southern California where they continue to perform each year while on tour. Mr. Grishaw performs regularly throughout the surrounding communities on the violin, the viola, and the piano. He is a longstanding member of the violin section of the Modesto Symphony Orchestra and also freelances with other local orchestras and string quartets. Mr. Grishaw and his wife, Angelica, play regularly for Sunday Masses, quinceañeras, and weddings at Sacred Heart Church in Turlock. Mr. Grishaw joined the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra faculty in 2014. Under Mr. Grishaw’s direction the Concert Orchestara Division has continued to expand and prepare additional young string, wind, brass, and percussion musicians for the Modesto Symphony Youth Orchestra Symphony Orchestra Division. Mr. Grishaw is an active member of A.S.T.A. (American String Teachers Association) and A.F.M. (American Federation of Musicians).