Our Musicians
Stefan Sanders
Music Director

Acclaimed conductor, audience builder, communicator and arts advocate, Stefan Sanders is thrilled to begin his fourth season as the Music Director for the Central Texas Philharmonic. He also embarks on his 6th season as the Music Director for the Fayetteville
Symphony Orchestra in North Carolina. Having collaborated with an array of distinguished orchestras and guest artists, Stefan’s recent guest conducting appearances include the San Antonio Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de Yucatán (Mérida, MX), Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba (Havana, Cuba), Sarasota Orchestra, Rochester Philharmonic, Virginia Symphony, Naples Philharmonic, Stockton Symphony, Tuscaloosa Symphony, Orquesta Sinfónica de Guayaquil (Ecuador), Filharmonia Warminsko-Mazurska (Poland), Filharomonia Podcarpacka (Poland), Symphoria (Syracuse, NY), Austin Symphony Orchestra, Austin Opera, and the Round Top International Festival Institute. Since 2017 Stefan has also served as an assistant conductor for the New York Philharmonic. This season, Stefan’s guest conducting engagements include return visits to the San Antonio Philharmonic, Filharmonia Warminsko-Mazurska (Poland), and the Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional de Cuba (Havana, Cuba).
From 2014-2018 Stefan served as the Associate and Resident Conductor for the Buffalo Philharmonic, where he lead the orchestra in over 200 performances on all of the orchestra’s series. In 2016, Stefan was one of 5 featured conductors at the League of American Orchestras “Bruno Walter National Conductor Preview.” This prestigious conductor showcase is designed to feature talented young conductors poised for music directorships with American Orchestras and was hosted by Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero and the Nashville Symphony.
Prior to a career as a conductor, Stefan was an internationally renowned trombonist, having performed as a soloist in North America, Asia and Europe. His performance of Eric Ewazen’s Concerto for Bass Trombone and Orchestra, with the Czech Philharmonic can be heard on the Albany Records label. Mr. Sanders was a member of the Buffalo Philharmonic’s trombone section for seven seasons and has performed with several orchestras including the New York Philharmonic, Seattle Symphony Orchestra, the Florida Orchestra, and the Seattle Opera’s 2001 production of Wagner’s Ring Cycle.
Stefan was a fellow at the American Academy of Conducting at Aspen under the tutelage of maestros, Larry Rachleff, Robert Spano, and Hugh Wolff. He is a graduate of the Juilliard School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Interlochen Arts Academy.
Musicians
2022/2023 Season
FLUTE
Adrienne Inglis, Principal
Nicholas Goodwin
Heather Havens
OBOE
Amy Burgus, Principal
Rebecca Haskins
Jennifer Bernard, English Horn
CLARINET
Winnie Fan Shih-Wen, Principal
Rebecca Berinsky
Nicholas Councilor, Bass Clarinet
BASSOON
Julia Littleton, Principal
Alexander Onieal
Shawn Karson, Contrabassoon
HORN
Paul Blackstone, Principal
Esteban Garcia
Sarah Au
Michael Woodard
TRUMPET
Michael Arnold, Principal
Michael Piccione
Ron Ledbetter
TROMBONE
Tyler Vahldick, Principal
Billy Gayman, Bass Trombone
TUBA
David Hummel, Principal
TIMPANI
Arlo Shultis, Principal
PERCUSSION
Tim Mabrey, Principal
Lisandro Atencio
PIANO
Karl Logue, Principal
VIOLIN I
Patrice Calixte, Concertmaster
Daniela de Espinoza, Associate Concertmaster
Michael Hilton
Michael Badillo
Greg Zychowski
Jeff Elliott
Jenny Yang
VIOLIN II
Steve Merson, Principal
Milena Georgieva
Allison Sargent
Sherri Marcus
Beverly Mintz
Svetlana Clifft
Barbara Hughston
VIOLA
Karoline Leal
Haley Ulfson (Clinton)
Nate Smith
Rohan Joshi
Jason Elinoff
CELLO
Tsz To Wong, Principal
Eunhie Lim
ChiHui Kao
Kristin Mills
Ilia De La Rosa
BASS
CJ Johnson, Principal
Andrea Beyer
Scott Davis