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Top Gun: Maverick in Concert

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THE DONALD J. TRUMP AND JOHN F. KENNEDY CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

MAY 20 & 21, 2026 AT 7 P.M. | CONCERT HALL

Top Gun: Maverick in Concert

A Royal Albert Hall production. With thanks to esk film.

THANK YOU TO OUR SEASON SPONSOR

Patrons are requested to turn off cell phones and other electronic devices during the performance. Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

From the Music Director

Cari amici,

It is with immense joy and anticipation that I welcome you to the National Symphony Orchestra’s 95th anniversary season. This moment is more than a milestone—it is a celebration of our deep musical legacy and a renewed commitment to bringing powerful, moving performances to our community and beyond. This is only the beginning. The 95th season is filled with musical discovery, celebrated artists, and unforgettable experiences.

This season features iconic works that have stood the test of time, from classic masterpieces to thrilling contemporary music. The NSO also has the opportunity to share the stage with an exceptional lineup of guest artists and conductors—beloved icons and rising stars alike. Performing new music is something the NSO truly believes in. Make history with us as we present innovative new works, including five world premieres.

I am deeply grateful to share this journey with you. Your presence in the Concert Hall is what brings our music fully to life. Thank you for being a part of the NSO family—for your passion, your applause, and your unwavering support.

Con tutto il cuore,

Gianandrea Noseda Music

Gianandrea Noseda

Director, National Symphony Orchestra

Music Director, National Symphony Orchestra

Che la musica vi porti gioia e ispirazione—may music bring you joy and inspiration.

Meet the Artists

Steven Reineke, conductor

Steven Reineke is one of North America’s leading conductors of popular music and is in his second decade as Music Director of the New York Pops at Carnegie Hall. Additionally, he is Principal Conductor and Artistic Advisor of the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) and Principal Pops Conductor of the Houston Symphony and Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Reineke is a frequent guest conductor and can be seen on the podium with the Chicago, Dallas, and Detroit Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Philadelphia Orchestra.

On stage, Mr. Reineke creates and collaborates with a range of leading artists from the worlds of hip hop, R&B, Broadway, television, and rock, including Killer Mike, Maxwell, Common, Kendrick Lamar, Nas, NeYo, Bob Weir, Trey Anastasio, Barry Manilow, Cynthia Erivo, Ben Rector, Cody Fry, Sutton Foster, Amos Lee, Dispatch, Jason Mraz, and Ben Folds, among others. In 2024, he led the NSO on PBS’s Next at the Kennedy Center featuring Ben Folds’ DECLASSIFIED® with Jacob Collier, Laufey, and dodie. He was previously seen with the NSO on PBS on Great Performances with hiphop legend Nas performing his seminal album, Illmatic.

In 2017, he was featured on National Public Radio’s All Things Considered, leading the NSO—in a first for the show’s history—performing live music excerpts in between news segments.

As the creator of hundreds of orchestral arrangements, Reineke’s work is performed worldwide and can be heard on numerous Cincinnati Pops

Orchestra recordings. His symphonic works Celebration Fanfare, Legend of Sleepy Hollow, and Casey at the Bat are performed frequently in North America, including performances by the New York Philharmonic and Los Angeles Philharmonic. His Sun Valley Festival Fanfare was used to commemorate the Sun Valley Summer Symphony’s pavilion, and his Festival Te Deum and Swan’s Island Sojourn were debuted by the Cincinnati Symphony and Cincinnati Pops Orchestras. His numerous wind ensemble compositions are published by the C. L. Barnhouse Company and are performed by concert bands perennially.

A native of Ohio, Mr. Reineke is a graduate of Miami University of Ohio (2020 Alumnus Distinguished Achievement Medal), where he earned Bachelor of Music degrees with honors in both trumpet performance and music composition. He currently resides in New York City with his husband, Eric Gabbard.

Symphony

Loud and Clear

Terms to know in the Concert Hall, loosely defined.

An extended work with multiple sections—typically four movements.

A “symphonic” piece is a long piece with multiple interpretations of a musical idea. A repeated, transformed musical idea is called a theme.

Orchestra

A group of musicians who play together.

In the Western European tradition, an orchestra often includes the four major instrument families—brass, woodwinds, strings, and percussion. An especially large orchestra is called a symphony orchestra. A smaller orchestra is called a chamber orchestra

Movement

A section of a musical work. Movements are often separated by silences, and they typically differ in tempo—speed.

Opera

A musical play with singers who perform a staged version of the dramatic text—the libretto.

Sonata

Originally, a musical composition played on instruments. In modern usage, “sonata” can mean a piece for a soloist or an ensemble, often with two to four movements.

If a work or a movement is written in sonata form, it is structured in three sections: exposition, development, and recapitulation.

Concerto

A piece pairing a technically advanced soloist with the support of an orchestra, usually in three movements. Though there may be multiple soloists, the contrast between a larger ensemble and a soloing group defines a concerto.

Tone poem

An orchestral piece meant to convey a non-musical subject such as an art piece, landscape, story, or mood.

Rhapsody

A one-movement composition without a strict formal structure. Rhapsodies often include improvisation and evocative contrasts.

Counterpoint

The interaction of multiple melodies to create a larger musical product.

Tempo Markings

Adagio - slow, at ease

Andante - moderately slow, walking pace

Moderato - moderate

Allegretto - slightly slower than allegro

Allegro - fast, bright

Vivace - fast, lively

Additional Markings

Non tanto - not as much

Ma non troppo - but not too much

Molto - very

Con delicatezza - with delicacy

Cantabile - in a singing style

Scherzo - a fast, playful section

National Symphony Orchestra

GIANANDREA NOSEDA , MUSIC DIRECTOR

The Roger Sant and Congresswoman Doris Matsui Chair

STEVEN REINEKE , PRINCIPAL CONDUCTOR AND ARTISTIC ADVISOR

VIOLINS

Nurit Bar-Josef, Concertmaster

Ying Fu, Associate Concertmaster, The Jeanne Weaver Ruesch Chair

Ricardo Cyncynates, Assistant Concertmaster

Xiaoxuan Shi, Second Assistant Concertmaster

Jane Bowyer Stewart

Heather LeDoux Green

Lisa-Beth Lambert

Jing Qiao

Marina Aikawa

Peiming Lin

Derek Powell

Regino Madrid**

Meredith Riley**

Susan Midkiff**

Marissa Regni, Principal

Dayna Hepler, Assistant Principal

Cynthia R. Finks

Deanna Lee Bien

Glenn Donnellan

Natasha Bogachek

Carole Tafoya Evans

Jae-Yeon Kim

Wanzhen Li

Hanna Lee

Benjamin Scott

Malorie Blake Shin

Angelia Cho

Kei Sugiyama**

VIOLAS

Daniel Foster, Principal, The Mrs. John Dimick Chair

Dana Kelley, Assistant Principal

Nancy Thomas

Jennifer Mondie

Tsuna Sakamoto

Ruth Wicker

Mahoko Eguchi

Abigail Evans Kreuzer

Rebecca Epperson

Jacob Shack

Johanna Nowik

Chiara Dieguez**

CELLOS

David Hardy, Principal, The Hans Kindler Chair, The Strong Family and the Hattie M. Strong Foundation

Raymond Tsai, Assistant Principal

David Teie

Rachel Young

Mark Evans

Eugena Chang Riley

Loewi Lin

Britton Riley

Noah Krauss

BASSES

Robert Oppelt, Principal

Richard Barber, Assistant Principal

Jeffrey Weisner

Ira Gold

Paul DeNola

Charles Nilles

Alexander Jacobsen

Michael Marks

HARP

Adriana Horne, Principal

FLUTES

Aaron Goldman, Principal

Leah Arsenault Barrick, Assistant Principal

Matthew Ross

Carole Bean, Piccolo

OBOES

Nicholas Stovall, Principal, The Volunteer Council Chair

Jamie Roberts, Assistant Principal

Harrison Linsey***

Kathryn Meany Wilson***, English Horn

CLARINETS

Lin Ma, Principal

Eugene Mondie, Assistant Principal

Paul Cigan

Peter Cain, Bass Clarinet

BASSOONS

Sue Heineman, Principal

David Young, Assistant Principal

Steven Wilson

Sean Gordon, Contrabassoon

HORNS

Abel Pereira, Principal, The National Trustees’ Chair

James Nickel, Acting Associate Principal

Markus Osterlund***

Scott Fearing

Robert Rearden

Geoffrey Pilkington**

TRUMPETS

William Gerlach, Principal, The Howard Mitchell Chair, The Strong Family and the Hattie M. Strong Foundation

Michael Harper, Assistant Principal

Michail Thompson

Tom Cupples

TROMBONES

Craig Mulcahy, Principal

Evan Williams, Assistant Principal

David Murray

Matthew Guilford, Bass Trombone

TUBA

Seth Cook**, Acting Principal

TIMPANI

Jauvon Gilliam, Principal, The Marion E. Glover Chair

Scott Christian, Assistant Principal

PERCUSSION

Eric Shin, Principal, The Hechinger Foundation Chair

Erin Dowrey, Assistant Principal

Scott Christian

Jason Niehoff*

KEYBOARD

Lisa Emenheiser*

ORGAN

William Neil*

LIBRARIANS

Elizabeth Cusato Schnobrick, Principal

Zen Stokdyk, Associate

Karen Lee, Assistant

PERSONNEL

Karyn Garvin, Director

Brooke Bartolome, Manager

Sufyan Naaman**, Coordinator

STAGE MANAGERS

David Langrell, Manager

N. Christian Bottorff, Assistant Manager

The National Symphony Orchestra uses a system of revolving strings. In each string section, untitled members are listed in order of length of service.

*Regularly Engaged Extra Musician

** Temporary Position

***Leave of Absence

National Symphony Orchestra Staff

EXECUTIVE TEAM

Nigel Boon, Vice President, Artistic Planning & Co-interim Executive Director

John Roloff, Vice President, Operations & Co-interim Executive Director

Kasama Apfelbaum, Vice President, Financial Planning & Analysis

Sabryn McDonald, Executive Assistant

ARTISTIC PLANNING

Justin Ellis, Senior Producing Director

Ana Vashakmadze, Artistic Administrator

DEVELOPMENT

Laney Pleasanton, Manager of Individual Giving

Pamela Wardell, Senior Director of Development

EDUCATION

Vanessa Thomas, Director of Education Activation & Engagements

FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION

Eric Rubio, Director of Finance & Administration

HUMAN RESOURCES

Tony Amato, Director, Total Rewards

Chanel Kemp, Talent Acquisition Manager

Patrice McNeill, Director, HR Operations

Lisa Motti, HRIS Coordinator

Ericka Parham, Benefits Analyst

John Sanford, Senior Business Partner

MARKETING & ADVERTISING

Michael Granados, Marketing Manager, NSO, Fortas & New Music

Lily Maroni, Senior Manager, Advertising Communications

Ada Morrison, Director, Marketing & Sales Analytics

Derek Younger, Director, Sales & Ticketing Service

ORCHESTRA OPERATIONS & CONCERT PRODUCTION

Brooke Bartolome, Orchestra Personnel and Operations Manager

Joseph Benitez, Media & OPAS Support Coordinator

N. Christian Bottorff, Assistant Stage Manager

Cayley Carroll, Director, Production & Orchestra Operations

Karyn Garvin, Director of Orchestra Personnel

David Langrell, Stage Manager

Sufyan Naaman, Operations and Auditions Coordinator

Ava Yap, Operations Assistan

PUBLIC RELATIONS

Amanda Fischer, Deputy Director of Public Relations

Kennedy Center Staff

Trump Kennedy Center Staff

KENNEDY CENTER EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

TRUMP KENNEDY CENTER EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

KENNEDY CENTER EXECUTIVE LEADERSHIP

President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing

Ambassador Richard Grenell

President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Ambassador Richard Grenell

President, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

Chief Operating Officer and Executive Director

Ambassador Richard Grenell

Chief Financial Officer

Donna Arduin

Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer Donna Arduin

Donna Arduin

Chief Financial Officer Donna Arduin

Ambassador Richard Grenell Financial Officer Donna Arduin

General Counsel

Elliot Berke

General Counsel Elliot Berke

Elliot Berke

Senior Vice President, Development

Lisa Dale

Senior Vice President, Development Lisa Dale

Vice

Senior Vice President, Marketing Robin Osborne

Senior Vice President, Marketing

Senior Vice President, Marketing Robin Osborne

Senior Vice President, Marketing�� Robin

Robin Osborne

Senior Vice President, Marketing Robin Osborne

Senior Vice President, Special Events

Senior Vice President, Special Events Bronagh Donlon

Bronagh Donlon

Senior Vice President, Special Events Bronagh Donlon

Vice President, Public Relations Roma Daravi

Senior Vice President, Special Events Bronagh Donlon Vice President, Human Resources��

Vice President, Human Resources��

Vice President, Human Resources Ta’Sha Bowens

Vice President, Human Resources�� Ta’Sha Bowens

Vice President, Human Resources Ta’Sha Bowens

Senior Vice President, Special Events Bronagh Donlon

Vice President, Operations

Matt Floca

Vice President, Operations Matt Floca

Vice President, Education Jordan LaSalle

Vice President, Education

Vice President, Education Jordan LaSalle

Chief Information Officer

Jordan LaSalle

Vice President, Education Jordan LaSalle

Vice President, Public Relations

Vice President, Public Relations Roma Daravi

Roma Daravi

Vice President, Public Relations

Roma Daravi

Vice President, Public Relations Roma Daravi

Chief Information Officer

Bob Sellappan

Chief Information Officer Bob Sellappan

Executive

Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra

Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra Jean Davidson

Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra

Jean Davidson

Executive Director, National Symphony Orchestra Jean Davidson

General

General Director, Washington National Opera Timothy O’Leary

General Director, Washington National Opera

General Director, Washington National Opera Timothy O’Leary

Timothy O’Leary

Concert Hall Staff

Theater Manager

Allen V. McCallum Jr.

Theater Manager Allen V. McCallum Jr.

Theater Manager

Allen V. McCallum Jr.

Theater Manager Allen V. McCallum Jr.

Box Office Treasurer

Box Office Treasurer Deborah Glover

Allen V. McCallum Jr. Box Office Treasurer

Deborah Glover

Box Office Treasurer

Deborah Glover

Box Office Treasurer Deborah Glover

Head Usher

Head Usher Cathy Crocker

Head Usher

Stage Crew

Cathy Crocker

Head Usher Cathy Crocker

Cathy Crocker

Head Usher Cathy Crocker

Stage Crew Zach Boutilier, Michael Buchman, Paul Johannes, April King, John Ottaviano, and Arielle Qorb

Zach Boutilier, Michael Buchman, Paul Johannes, April King, John Ottaviano, and Arielle Qorb

Stage Crew Zach Boutilier, Michael Buchman, Paul Johannes, April King, John Ottaviano, and Arielle Qorb

Stage Crew Zach Boutilier, Chandler Bryant, Michael Buchman, Paul Johannes, April King, John Ottaviano

*Represented by ATPAM, the Association of Theatrical Press Agents and Managers.

Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center.

Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Trump Kennedy Center.

Steinway Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center.

The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E.

The technicians at the Trump Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E.

The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E.

AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.

The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E. AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.

AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.

The technicians at the Kennedy Center are represented by Local #22, Local #772, and Local #798 I.A.T.S.E. AFL-CIO-CLC, the professional union of theatrical technicians.

Steinway Piano Gallery is the exclusive area representative of Steinway & Sons and Boston pianos, the official pianos of the Kennedy Center. The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.

The American Guild of Musical Artists, the union of professional singers, dancers and production personnel in opera, ballet and concert, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents the Artists and Staging Staff for the purposes of collective bargaining.

The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.

The box office at the Trump Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.

The box office at the Kennedy Center is represented by I.A.T.S.E, Local #868.

The American Guild Musical Artists, the union of professional singers, dancers and production personnel in opera, ballet and concert, affiliated with the AFL-CIO, represents the and Staging Staff for the purposes of collective bargaining.

National Symphony Orchestra musicians are represented by the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Federation of Musicians, AFM Local 161-710.

National Symphony Orchestra musicians are represented by the Metropolitan Washington, D.C. Federation of Musicians, Local 161-710.

National Symphony Orchestra musicians are represented by the Metropolitan Washington,

Thank You to Our Supporters

National Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors

Officers

Joan Bialek, Chair

Ashley Davis, Vice Chair

Stanley Pierre-Louis, Treasurer

Brian Boyle, Secretary

Executive Committee

Carl Bergeron, Chair, Pension Committee

Brian Boyle, Co-Chair, Development Committee

Ashley Davis, Chair, Nominating and Governance Committee

Shannon McCormick Davis, Co-Chair, Development Committee

Ronald D. Abramson

Anne K. Altman

Michael F. Brewer

Jean Davidson, ex officio

Barbara H. Franklin

Directors

Ernest Abbott

Andrita J. Andreas

Katherine Armstrong

Jane Lipton Cafritz

Ronya Corey

Pierre de Lucy

Debbie Driesman

Larry Driver

William Finnerty

Brian L. Gevry

David Ginsberg

Cindy Green

Thomas C. Green

Kathryn Jones

Christina Co Mather

Michael Mayton

Richard Moxley

Stephanie Guyett

Dana Hearn

Daniel Heider

Helen Jackson

Ann D. Jordan, Lifetime Dir.

Vlad Khomenko

Gerald L. Kohlenberger, ex officio

Michael Lipsitz

Jan M. Lodal

Timothy R. Lowery

Katherine Marshall

Heidi Narang

Michael Salzberg

Roger W. Sant

Susan Silverstein Scott

Tina B. Small

David B. Novy

Cathy McCulloch

Sarah Mills

Jeanne Weaver Ruesch

Sheryl Schwartz

Jeffrey M. Senger

Jeff Shockey

Raghu Srinivasan

Courtney Straus

Meaghan VerGow

Stuart Winston

National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees

Officers

Gerald L. Kohlenberger, VA, Chairman

Ross Ain, DC, Vice Chairman

Ken Leibowitz, DC, Vice President of Membership

Purvi Patel Albers, TX, Vice President of Development

Jeannette J. Segel, AZ, Vice President of Special Events & Meetings

Members

Susan Ain, FL

Ralph Baxter, WV

Jeri Crawford, NV

Nancy Jean Davis, FL

Gail Charnley Elliott, CT

Glenn Finch, VA

Mary Galvin, IL

Larry Kellogg, FL

Ex-Officio Positions

Michael Mayton, AR, Past Chairman

Jessine Monaghan, DC, Past Chairman

Mary K. Abercrombie, ID, Past Chairman

Laura Kerr-Engstrom, OK

Tom Mims, FL

The Rostropovich Legacy Guild

Theresa Thompson, VA

James Ward, NM

John Wohlstetter, SC

Stephen T. Young, GA

Members of the Rostropovich Legacy Guild have designated future gifts to support the National Symphony Orchestra’s artistic, educational, and community programs. The Guild honors cellist and former Music Director Mstislav Rostropovich, whose legacy continues to inspire the NSO.

Anonymous (4)

Patty Perkins Andringa

Rebecca J. Ault Trust

Mavis A. Walters and Thomas A. Baxter†

Michael D. Bolden

Dr. and Mrs. William P. Brose

John Cahill

Julia A. Carr

James M. Compton, Col USA (Ret)†

Mrs. Jane L. Donaghy

Christine M. Feinthel

Eleanor and Thomas W. Fina

Mrs. Nancy M. Folger

George† and Duffy† Ftikas

Olga M. Gazda

Mr. and Mrs. Jeffrey A. Gorman

Mrs. Susan D. Hamburger

Rodney† and Anne Haugh

Dana A. Hearn and Kevin J. McCloskey

Maria C. Higgins

Carla H. Jones-Batka

Maria and Stephen Lans

Virginia Cretella Mars

Catherine H. and Michael R. Mayton

Dr. and Dr. Omar Mazzoni

Patricia Morton†

Mrs. William E. Naylor, Jr.†

Phylliscity and John Oliff

Mr. Theodore C. Panglao

William and Cathy Pastor

Mr. W. Larz Pearson

Steven C. Price

Francis H. Rasmus

Ms. Jennifer Renner

Helen I. Rickels†

Mrs. George W. Riesz

Dr. Ann H. Rose

Carol Ruppel

Rita Shapiro and Edward F. Maclary

Peggy M. Siegel

Margaret Stehman

Elena Thompson

Mr. Rick Trevino

Stella Boyle Smith Trust

Mr. Dennis L. Stout and Mr. Daniel Studnicky

Rafael E. Urrutia and Joanne H. Urrutia Trust

Jenny Craig Wallace

Mr. Glenn D. White, Jr.

Drs. Robert and Gail† Wilensky

Mr. and Mrs.† Rance R. Willis

Thank You to Our Donors

Individual, Foundation, and Corporate Donors

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AARP

Sandy and Bud Drutz

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Anonymous

Mrs. Byrle M. Abbin

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Agnieszka and Witold Balaban

Boeing

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$50,000–99,999

Ernest and Catherine Abbott

The Andreas Family Foundation

Maria Bartiromo

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$25,000–49,999

Anonymous

Mary K. Abercrombie

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Bender Foundation, Inc.

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BVLGARI

CityCenterDC

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$15,000–24,999

Anonymous (2)

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$10,000–14,999

Anonymous (4)

Jeffrey S. Abramson

In Honor of Joan Bialek

Boyd Watterson Asset Management LLC

Ms. Nadine Cohodas

Paul Dans and Mary Helen Bowers

Betsy and Robert Feinberg Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences

Dr. Gary Mather† and Ms. Christina Co Mather

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Thank You to Our Donors

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$4,000–5,999

Anonymous (2)

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$1,800–3,999

Anonymous (4)

Anja Allen

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MG (Ret) and Mrs. Alan B. Salisbury

Steven and Donna Shriver

Dr. Barbara S. and Dr. Howard D. Stowe

Marilyn Walz Taylor

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Gloria M. Weissberg, PhD

Dr. Linda E. Wetzel

Mr. Christopher Wolf and Mr. James L. Beller, Jr.

David Worby

The Honorable Chris Wright and Mrs. Liz Wright

George and Virginia Potts

Jane Evans Ramsay

William Reed

In Memory of Jane Reese

Henry & Anne Reich Family Foundation, Lee G. Rubenstein, Co-President

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Evelyn A. Sweet

Kathy Szot

Eileen and Michael Tanner

Kathleen M. Thies

Pauline Labbé Thompson

Kenneth Timmer

Steven and Prudence Traut

Raya Bakalov Treiser and Max Johnson

Capt. and Mrs. Eric Vanderpoel II, USN, Ret.

Mr. and Mrs. James G. Vaughter

Dr. Jean Vike

Laura and Kirk Wade

Pearl Y. Wang

Judy Ann and Richard Webster

Judith Weintraub

Ms. Rebecca Welch

Lawrence Wilkerson

Al Wilson

Dr. Ursula R. Wolfman

Robert Woodward and Elsa Walsh

Clinton B. Wright

Daniel Zak

Orchestrated Lives

Each month, the National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) spotlights a different musician. For this program, bass player Alex Jacobsen discusses orchestral compromises, the future of the NSO, and his love for out-of-the-box arrangements.

Name: Alex Jacobsen

Hometown: Albuquerque, New Mexico

Instrument: Bass

Years with the NSO: 13

How did you find your way into the world of the professional bass? I come from a musical family. My dad’s side is a lot of lawyers, geologists, and historians, but my mom’s side is basically all musicians. I started playing piano when I was in first grade, and then I started cello in fifth grade. In middle school, I wanted to play jazz and funk, so I switched to electric bass, and, by the time I got to high school, I had sort of combined those into upright bass. I just took to it like a fish to water. Orchestra really got exciting when I started being able to play in really good orchestras, which sometimes takes a long time.

What do you think makes the NSO special as an orchestra? I joined 13 years ago, and I really didn’t know anything except how to play bass. Right away, I found that there are so many people in this group that are selfless by instinct—very, very generous. There’s a strong tradition of friendliness at the NSO that I really value. Being a good orchestra is not just about attracting the best talent; it’s also about having a will to play together. There’s an emotional cost to the compromises; you want to feel seen and appreciated, and so does the person to your right, and so does the person to your left. One thing I really love about this orchestra—and the bass section especially—is that we have a lot of different ways we like to play, but we also really like playing together. We’re committed to it.

Was composition something that you became interested in as you were picking up instruments, or did that come later in life? I definitely became interested in composition while playing jazz as a kid. You learn more about music theory and harmony from playing jazz than by taking every music harmony class in college, because you have to compose if you play jazz. You must improvise.

I do a lot more arranging now, taking a melody that already exists. I have a lot of friends in the woodwind section, but there are not a lot of pieces for, for example, woodwind and bass quartets. I like to arrange well-known pieces for strange ensembles with my friends. Balance and blend are almost always the biggest issues, but it’s worth it because I like doing stuff that other people haven’t done before. I find that, if you do popular pieces, even if it’s a bad arrangement, people will usually enjoy it because it’s sort of like karaoke. Worst-case scenario, it’s just fun.

Do you have a favorite or most surprising, on-stage or off-stage NSO memory? One of the things that I’ve learned about being a professional musician is that it takes so much of my concentration in any given week to play the music that, by the time I get to the next week, I have forgotten all about the previous week. It’s nice when things are not surprising, though, which is why the next two years are going to be a special challenge—everything’s going to be surprising. I’d rather not move out of the Center, but moving out doesn’t mean that we can’t continue to fulfill our mission. Our job is to bring beauty into the world, and we can still do that if we’re not here.

If you could say anything else to NSO audiences, what would it be? It’s impossible to overstate how much we appreciate every single person who makes the decision to come listen to us. We struggle to fill halls ordinarily, and a lot of folks have been staying away over the last year, which has been especially challenging. There was a moment a few months ago when the audience was not very big, but we stood up at the end of the show, and someone in the balcony took out a sign that said: “WE LOVE NSO.” I just started crying—I was so grateful. And that’s such a small thing, but every single person coming to see us means that much to us.

Support your ORCHESTRA

The mission of the National Symphony Orchestra is to engage audiences locally, across the country, and around the world through excellence in performance and education. Each year, the NSO offers approximately 150 concerts as well as some of the country’s most extensive community and educational programming. It regularly participates in events of national and international importance, including performances for state occasions, highlevel government events, and regularly televised holiday appearances for Capitol Concerts and local radio broadcasts on WETA, making the NSO one of the most-heard orchestras in the country.

Give your support in this 95th season by becoming a Member, joining the NSO Circles, or pledging a Legacy Gift. Visit tkc.co/SupportNSO or scan the QR code.

Thank You to Our Supporters

The Trump Kennedy Center Board of Trustees

National Symphony Orchestra Board of Directors

The Trump Kennedy Center President’s Council

The Trump Kennedy Center International Committee on the Arts

President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts

National Committee for the Performing Arts

National Symphony Orchestra National Trustees

The Trump Kennedy Center Circles Board

The Trump Kennedy Center Community Advisory Board

The Trump Kennedy Center Corporate Fund Board

The Trump Kennedy Center 50th Anniversary Committee

Corporate Donors

Individual and Foundation Donors

Endowment Gifts, Bequests, and Legacy Donors

Building the Future Campaign Donors

Visit tkc.co/Support for a full listing of donors and to learn how you can join us by becoming a Member.

Andrew Geraci

More Concerts this Season!

Appalachian Spring & Mahler’s First

Charles Ives’ Three Places in New England paints an evocative portrait of history and memory. Aaron Copland’s Appalachian Spring Suite follows—a radiant work of optimism crowned by its iconic “Shaker” melody. Conductor James Gaffigan closes the evening with Mahler’s Symphony No. 1, charting a youthful “Wayfarer’s” journey through darkness to a triumphant, heroic climax.

April 29 & 30, 2026 at 8 p.m.

Porgy

and Bess & Coleman Piano Concerto

Michelle Cann returns to perform a world premiere by Valerie Coleman. Conductor Kellen Gray frames the evening with works reflecting the breadth of our nation’s story: Dvořák’s American Suite, inspired by his time in the U.S., and the Catfish Row suite from Gershwin’s Porgy and Bess.

June 5 & 6, 2026 at 8 p.m.

An American in Paris & Barber Violin Concerto

Karen Kamensek conducts Schoenberg’s American Symphony, Copland’s Lincoln Portrait, and Barber’s lyrical Violin Concerto featuring Johan Dalene in his NSO debut. The program culminates with Gershwin’s enormously popular An American in Paris—a vibrant, jazz-tinged celebration of city life through the eyes of an American abroad.

June 12 & 13, 2026 at 8 p.m.

2025–2026 CLASSICAL SEASON PERFORMANCE CALENDAR

Appalachian Spring & Mahler’s First

Fri., May 29, 2026 at 8 p.m.

Sat., May 30, 2026 at 8 p.m.

Kennedy Center Chamber

Players: Spring Concert

Mon., May 31, 2026 at 2 p.m.

*Full orchestra does not perform.

Porgy and Bess & Coleman Piano Concerto

Fri., June 5, 2026 at 8 p.m.

Sat., June 6, 2026 at 8 p.m.

An American in Paris & Barber Violin Concerto

Fri., June 12, 2026 at 8 p.m.

Sat., June 13, 2026 at 8 p.m.

*Please note: The National Symphony Orchestra does not perform in these concerts.

For 250 years, America’s story has been told through the voices of its artists, the rhythm of its music, the words of its writers, and the movement of its dancers. It is a story of resilience and reinvention, of dreams daring enough to redefine what was possible, and of creativity that has not only shaped a nation, but the world.

As the nation marks 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the Center invites Americans everywhere to take part in 250 Years of US, a yearlong exploration of who we are, where we’ve been, and where we’re going. Through music, theater, dance, and visual art, 250 Years of US celebrates the boundless imagination of a people united by creativity.

SHARE THE JOY of the ARTS

A toast before the show. A meal with a view. A selfie in the foyer. At the Trump Kennedy Center, it’s not just about the performance, it’s the moments you share before and after the curtain rises.

Here, you’ll find joy and awe, surprise and wonder. When you come for a performance, you’ll leave with something more. Because what you feel—and who you feel it with— becomes the memory you both carry.