Musicians
An Award-Winning Orchestra
The Western Piedmont Symphony Orchestra is the professional orchestra of the western foothills of North Carolina and is comprised of talented acclaimed musicians from across North Carolina. WPS is led by music director Matthew Troy.
ORCHESTRA MUSICIANS
of the 2026-2027 Season
VIOLINS
Dan Skidmore, Concertmaster
Nathan Southwick, Principal Second Violin
Emmeline MacMillan, Associate Principal Second Violin
Molly Barrett, Assistant Principal Second Violin
Melissa Alderman
Angela Allen
Ada Icduygu
Galina Johnson
Wilson Pace
Elizabeth Russell
Sierra Sims-Smith
Jonathan Sullivan
Tabitha Metz
Mary Ellen Watson
RJ Wohlman
Siana Wong
(Violins listed in alphabetical order; seating varies by concert.)
Viola
David Phillips, Principal
Timothy Gudger, Associate Principal
Logan Strawn
Dean Burgos
Maria Kindt
Eric Koontz
Kathy Estes
Cello
Samuel Magill, Principal
Dr. Gary Macdougal Chair
J. Alexandra Johnston, Associate Principal
Daniel Lail
Allison Bormuth
Sarah Rocco Ross
Emily Grissing
Alexis DePaolo
Double Bass
Aaron Craven, Principal
Michael DiTrolio, Associate Principal
Tonya Steward
Earl Anderson
Carter Callison*
Flute
Laura D. Stevens, Principal
Abigail Simoneau
Piccolo
Jennifer Dior
Oboe
Anna Morris, Principal
Matthew Covington
English Horn
Matthew Covington
Clarinet
David Allen, Principal
Kenneth Graves
BASS CLARINET
Matthew Libera
Bassoon
Christopher Allpress, Principal
Second Bassoon - Open
Contrabassoon
Rebecca Libera
Horn
Timothy Papenbrock, Principal
Melanie Watson Christopher Griffin
Dakota Corbliss
Trumpet
Luke Boudreault, Principal
Samuel Santiago
Wyatt Martinez
Trombone
Dave Newcomb, Principal Mark Stephens
Bass Trombone
Aleksandr Witt
Tuba
Samuel Ambrose, Acting Principal
TIMPANI
Charles Smith, Principal
Adam Neilly Family Chair
Percussion
Brady Spitz, Principal
Nathan Tingler
Harp
Helen Rifas, Principal
Keyboard
Ashley Clasen, Principal
Orchestra Librarian
RJ Wohlman
Personnel Manager
David Allen
* On Leave 2026-2027
Carter Callison