The Cleveland Orchestra has appointed five new musicians to its string sections, the organization announced March 3, 2026. The new positions span the violin and viola ranks and include several leadership roles.
Violinist Elizabeth Fayette joins as First Associate Concertmaster starting in May, and Zhan Shu has been named Assistant Concertmaster. Philip Marten will assume the role of Associate Concertmaster beginning in August. Dustin Wilkes-Kim joins the second violin section in May, and Gabriel Napoli joins the viola section. The five appointments follow an audition process standard to major American orchestras.
The additions strengthen the string core of an ensemble widely regarded as one of the world’s leading orchestras. The new hires join as the Cleveland Orchestra prepares for its 2026 summer season at Blossom Music Center and the final season of Music Director Franz Welser-Möst, who has led the organization since 2002.
Source: The Violin Channel