Special Artists this Season
Jon Robertson, conductor
Performances
Maestro Jon Robertson is now in his twenty-sixth season as music director and conductor or the Redlands Symphony Orchestra. The extraordinary quality of this orchestra is attributed to the blend of devotion he has for the musicians and his artistic vision.
Co Nguyen, asst. conductor
Performances
Co Boi Nguyen, an Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Redlands School of Music, was named Assistant Conductor of the Redlands Symphony in July of 2006. Ms. Nguyen serves as the principal conductor of the University of Redlands Orchestra and Opera.
David Cole, cello
Performances
A fourth generation musician, David Cole is a graduate of the Curtis Institute of Music, having studied with his father Orlando Cole. His other teachers were Leonard Rose,and Zara Nelsova.
Valeriya Polunina, piano
Performances
Russian pianist, Valeriya Polunina, was born into an artistic family in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, and began concertizing internationally before she was a teenager. Since making her orchestral debut at the age of 15 with Russia’s renowned BACH Chamber Orchestra, Ms. Polunina has made a graceful transition from child to mature artist, displaying both technical prowess and elegant artistry.
Emily Collins, soprano
Performances
Emily Collins has spent more than half of her young life preparing for this moment. Starting with classical voice lessons at the age of 12 and now at 25, as she prepares for her solo debut with the Redlands Symphony, Emily can’t imagine a life without music: “Whether it be spreading music through teaching or performing, I always plan to make it one of the most prominent aspects of my life,” Emily says.
Christopher Campbell, tenor
Performances
Christopher Campbell in his debut with the Los Angeles Master Chorale created the role of Guajardo in the world premiere of Rio De Sangre an original score by Don Davis the acclaimed composer for such films as the Matrix. He created the title role in another brand new Opera, Tony Caruso’s Final Broadcast presented for the National Opera Association Convention to critical acclaim. As Ricardo in Un ballo in maschera a review by the San Francisco Classical Voice said that “All were definitely up to the daunting task of singing Verdi … with the best work done by Christopher Campbell, a dramatic tenor with excellent high notes”.
Katrina Herrera, soprano
Performances
Katrina Phipps began her training in opera and classical music at the College of the Desert under the direction of Robert E. Brown. She completed a Bachelor of Music degree in vocal performance (2005) at the University of Redlands School of Music under the vocal tutelage of Professor Marco Schindelmann in 2003 and a Master of Music in vocal performance in 2005.
Liang Wang, oboe
Performances
Liang Wang joined the New York Philharmonic in September 2006 as Principal Oboe; in February 2009 he performed The *“EXTASE” Oboe Concerto* by Cheng Qi Gang in Carnegie Hall with his hometown orchestra. In February 2008, he performed the Richard Strauss *Oboe Concerto* with The New York Philharmonic in Hong Kong. Previously, he was principal oboe of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (2005-06), principal oboe of the Santa Fe Opera in 2004-05 season, and principal oboe of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra in the 2003-04 season. He is on the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.