Our Orchestra

This ensemble offers players of differing levels and backgrounds the opportunity to make music together. The Nashville Philharmonic performs a diverse mix of repertoire – different genres and styles anchored in the orchestral tradition. Players in the Nashville Philharmonic collaborate with the Music Director in making repertoire decisions. The orchestra features area soloists and new music by local composers and also sponsors annual concerto and composition competitions.

Learn how to join us as an orchestra member

Chris Norton

Music Director

Christopher Norton was appointed Music Director and Conductor of the Nashville Philharmonic in March 2008. Prior to moving to Tennessee, he held a similar post for nearly a decade in Kentucky with the Bowling Green Western Symphony Orchestra. Dr. Norton has guest conducted the Nashville Symphony, Alabama Symphony, Nashville Chamber Orchestra, Nashville Ballet, ALIAS Chamber Ensemble, Vanderbilt Orchestra, and Blair Chamber Orchestra. Recognized for his work on university campuses, he has conducted various faculty and student ensembles in concerts of symphonic, opera, chamber, pops, ballet, and choral repertoire.

Norton earned his doctorate from Louisiana State University, and his master’s and bachelor’s degrees from the Eastman School of Music. He studied orchestral conducting with David Effron, choral conducting with John MacDonald, and band conducting with Frank Wickes; additional studies were taken from conducting workshops hosted by the American Symphony Orchestra League and the Conductors Guild. Beyond these experiences, Norton credits the educational benefits of performing for thirty years as a percussionist in professional orchestras under a wide array of conductors.

Dr. Norton is Professor of Music and Director of Percussion Studies at Belmont University. Prior to his appointment to Belmont in 2001, he taught fourteen years at Western Kentucky University.

Janet Darnall

Concertmaster

A native of Chicago and a graduate of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, Janet Darnall has had a 37 year career as a professional violinist in her adopted hometown of Nashville. Spanning from the Nashville Symphony early on, to freelance and recording session work in the last few decades, she feels blessed to be part of the thriving musical community here in Nashville and especially enjoys the enthusiasm and love of music NPO members show.

Photo of Leonardo Rosario from shoulders up

Leonardo Rosario

2026-27 Conducting Fellow

Dr. Leonardo Rosario is an emerging conductor, experienced violinist, and college professor, originally from Brazil. As a conductor, Dr. Rosario focuses heavily on inspiring new generations of musicians, leading vibrant and diverse orchestral repertoire and dynamic educational initiatives. He currently serves as Assistant Professor of Strings and Director of the Symphony Orchestra at Lee University, where he conducts the university’s ensemble in a wide range of symphonic repertoire. On the international stage, his recent podium highlights include directing the Berlin Sinfonietta as part of the International Masterclass Berlin under the direction of Professor Johannes Wildner. He is excited to join the Nashville Philharmonic Orchestra as a Conducting Fellow for the upcoming season.

Well-versed as a soloist and orchestral violinist, Dr. Rosario has also performed with ensembles such as the Youth Orchestra of the Americas, the Minas Gerais Philharmonic, the Chattanooga Symphony, the Wichita Symphony, the Spartanburg Philharmonic, and the Fayetteville Symphony. Throughout his career as a performer, he has had the distinct privilege of playing under the baton of legendary maestros, including Kurt Masur, Lorin Maazel, and Gustavo Dudamel. He holds a master’s degree from the Boston Conservatory and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree (DMA) from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro.

Orchestra Members

2025-26 Series IV concerts

First Violin
Janet Darnall, Concertmaster
Jon Parillo, Asst. Concertmaster
Andrew Bates
Luke Gormsen
Heidi Herzog
Erin Holt
Adam Kujawa
Megan O’Roark
Erin Stricklin
Rachel Teukolsky
Alexia Valente
Grace Wagenman
Natalie Wright

Second Violin
Hayden Shaner, Principal
Millie Barron
Sophia Winter Bellile
Wes Charlton
Lindsey George
Kristen Gerhard
Allis Dale Gillmor
Andrew Horton
Tami Hutton
Audrey McAdams
Amanda Rizzari
Gina Ross
Donna Smith

Bass
Mickey Rybiski, Principal
Tim Denbo
Matthew Gibson
Bryan Graves
Tony Thomas

Flute
Elizabeth Jones
Jacob Emerson
Elly Fetters

Piccolo
Elly Fetters, Principal
Jacob Emerson
Lisa Navarro

Oboe
Larry Allen, Principal
Rebecca Teel
Pam Zigler

English Horn
Pam Zigler

Clarinet
Rebecca Williamson
Mary Worrill
Matt Davich
Myranda Shirk

Eb Clarinet
Matt Davich
Myranda Shirk

Bass Clarinet
Matt Davich

Bassoon
Kate Affainie, Principal
Callie Compton
Sarah Strasinger

Contrabassoon
Andy Witherington

French Horn
Greg Haas, Principal
David Rawle
Rebecca Robison
Glen Trew
Walter Everton, Assistant/Utility

Trumpet
Peter Duarte, Principal
Scott Steward
Elias Salazar
Clayton Rego

Trombone
Joseph Awad, Principal
Phil Smith

Bass Trombone
Reid Clagett

Tuba
Mark Tillinger

Timpani
Cameron Terry
Sam Weaver

Percussion
Matthew Love
Adam Mamula
Cameron Terry
Daniel Watter
Sam Weaver

Harp

Piano
Dustin Kovacic
Brendan Jacklin

Librarian
Anna Haas

Viola
Anna Haas, Principal
Marla Albert
Jonathan Bolding
Cristi Burkeen
Olivia Cook
Richard Griggs
Darrell Merryman
Casey Minshall
Brent Rexer
Corey Starks
Yurina Yoshikawa

Cello
Alex Shor, Principal
Jonah Albert
Lauren Anema
Audri Botkin
Evan Breland
Leslie DiNella
Katie Jo Gelasco
Brendan Jacklin
Hannah Koshgarian
Clark Liddell
Bethany Stone
Jessica White

Strings and Percussion listed alphabetically after Principal, all others in seat order