Federico Cortese, Music Director

Jae Won Lee and Sun Whi Lee Music Director, endowed in perpetuity

Orchestra members

Cycle 4 Rotating Seating

Season 217 coming soon!

Violin

Matthew Ho

Matthew is a senior violinist native to Lowell House. He is concentrating in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a secondary in economics. He would explain why he’s chosen this concentration, but saying the name again would push him past the word count. Besides ironically playing Sul G in rehearsal and checking the HRO insta, Matthew enjoys doing biology research at MGH (making his cell lines light up like a rave party), collecting plastic silverware (just in case, ya know?), and microwaving rice till just before it explodes.

Kevin Miura

Kevin is a senior violinist hailing from Pfoho (#quadlife). He is concentrating in Chemistry and is competing with his roommate for the worst schedule the Pfoho resident dean has ever seen. Kevin’s harshest critic is his cockatiel, who will only chirp if he plays in tune. When he is not playing violin for HRO or his bird, Kevin enjoys making drip coffee in his room, riding to every possible stop on the T, and explaining why every piece of stationery he owns is absolutely necessary for his academic success. Kevin would appreciate any advice for fixing his sleep schedule (it’s gotten worse).

Concertmasters

Ethan Chaves

Ethan is a junior violinist in Winthrop House concentrating in Philosophy and Music. He is also a composer in the Harvard-NEC program.

Asst. Concertmaster

Dacha Thurber

Dacha is a Senior violinist in Quincy House studying Music and Computer Science. Aside from HRO, he is Music Director of the Harvard College Opera. He is a chocolate taster for Lindt & Sprüngli and has never won an Olympic gold medal or Nobel Peace Prize.

Principal Second

The Brian Koh ‘96 & Catherine Shih ‘96 Principal Second Violin,

In Perpetuity

Ayaan Ahmad

Ayaan, a first-year violinist living in Pennypacker, leads a life of perpetual motion, juggling the demands of Economics and a dual degree in Violin Performance at the New England Conservatory. Always on the run, he’s constantly fearful that time is slipping through his fingers, his practice schedule never quite matching the demands of his academic ambitions. Torn between the worlds of theory and artistry, Ayaan’s life is a delicate dance of deadlines and duets, balancing the calculus of economic models with the intricacies of Bach. His greatest challenge? Not letting the race against time overtake the music he so passionately plays.

Cal Alexander

Cal is a sophomore violinist in Adams House concentrating in Comparative Literature and Music while also studying Violin Performance at the New England Conservatory. On campus, Cal directs PBHA’s Harmony program, performs with the Harvard College Opera, and writes for the Crimson. He also serves as a Peer Advising Fellow for Wigg C! He enjoys London Fogs, fruit, and — most of all — milk and cookies.

The Seung Sik & Myung Hi Koh Chair,

In Perpetuity

Avinashi Bhandari

Avinashi is a junior violinist in Mather House studying Physics and Chemistry. When she isn’t playing violin, she likes playing with molecules (doing research), singing in Collegium, and sight reading full Byrd masses with friends that she definitely didn’t bribe to sing with her. She enjoys making her roommates incredibly happy by practicing the certifiably least annoying combination of violin concertos and soprano arias. Her favorite late night activities include haunting the physics library and speaking very passionately about molecular magnets. She is a big Shostakovich fan and enjoys drinking tea.

Kevin Cho

Kevin is a junior violinist in Winthrop House studying Neuroscience. Aside from HRO, he is a part of the Harvard Crimson, the Fencing Club, and the Canada Club. If he isn’t chowing down on strawberry cheesecake ice cream or playing Pokemon GO, he is most likely playing with his dog, Toto.

Bianca Ciubancan

Bianca is a freshman violinist living in Pennypacker, studying Economics and Music. When she’s not in rehearsal or eating green apples, she loves to sleep. She loves to sleep so much that she might actually fall asleep soon and finish writ-

Feodora Douplitsky-Lunati

Feodora is a first year living at Matthews and she plays the violin. When she's not speaking English, she can be found speaking French or Russian. Allez comprendre, elle aime manger des croissants.

Stephanie Dragoi

Stephanie is a freshman violinist from Maryland. In her free time, she enjoys ballet, exploring Boston in search of the best clam chowder, and trying new teas.

Noemi Gilbert

Noemi is a sophomore violinist from Sweden, studying English. She lives in Dunster and loves late-night practice sessions. Her favorite thing to do is sight reading with friends. Outside of HRO, Noemi can be found hunting for new elderflower drinks or snacking on Goji berries, mint Milano cookies, and plain rice.

Luzy Guanuna

Luzy is a senior violinist in Pfoho stuying Economics. Outside of HRO she does consulting, works out, and sleeps. She's a Welch's fruit snacks and peach lemonade enthusiast!

Sophiette Hong

Sophiette is a sophomore violinist in Adams concentrating in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology with a secondary in Global Health and Health Policy. Aside from HRO, Sophiette enjoys volunteering with PBHA’s BRYE and CHAP, conducting melanoma research off-campus, binging K-Dramas, and trying every matcha iteration at Blank Street. Her highlight of college is waking up to violinist Ella Kim’s 15 alarms.

Lizzy Huang

As Operations Director, Lizzy was too busy setting up for rehearsal to write a bio.

Henry Jackson

Henry Jackson is a sophomore in Eliot house studying Applied Math and Economics. Outside of music and academics, Henry enjoys basketball, or any other sports, chess, poker, and investing.

Chrissy Jung

Chrissy is a freshman violinist living in Stoughton planning on concentrating in Applied Math. She LOVES ice cream. Loves. Has-two-ice creams-a-day kind of loves. She also loves looking at the New York skyline at night. And eating ice cream. And eating icecream while looking at the New York skyline at night. When she is not eating ice cream or looking at the New York skyline, you can find Chrissy studying at a cute cafe.

Eddy Kang

Eddy is a first-year violinist in Matthews, hoping to concentrate in Chemical and Physical Biology. When not in HRO, he enjoys watching YouTube, sleeping, eating KitKats and jalapeño chips, and drinking jasmine green tea boba. His favorite composer is Dvorak.

Ella Kim

Ella is a sophomore violinist in Adams concentrating in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and is considering a secondary in Chemistry because she loves drawing hexagons. Outside of HRO, she can be found sampling new Celsius flavors to add to her tierlist, trying to communicate with the zebrafish she researches, and sleeping through her 15 alarms set at 5-minute intervals (ask violinist Sophiette Hong about her earplug collection).

John Kim

John is a first-year violinist in Canaday, interested in the social sciences. When he is not playing in HRO, you may see him walking along the Charles, hopping around different libraries, and taking selfies with friends.

Joylyn Kim

Joylyn (aka Lyn) is a first-year violinist in Holworthy, planning on concentrating in Molecular & Cellular Biology. There is a high chance you can catch her going on an HMart run to stock up on Calpico (specifically white peach), Buldak, and shrimp chips. She enjoys engaging in weird late night conversations, which usually results in her sleeping through all 12 of her alarms (spread out with five minute intervals over an hour). Outside of HRO, she is on AAA social committee.

Julia Kim

Julia is a first-year living in Weld. She is thinking of studying Neuroscience and pursuing medical school post-college. When she’s not playing the violin in HRO, she can be found cooking different cultural foods or reading with a cozy blanket with a cup of hot milk tea.

Enoch Li

Enoch is a junior violinist in Kirkland House studying Mathematics, and he is the assistant conductor of the HRO. When he isn’t sight reading chamber music with friends or taking photos for the Harvard Krokodiloes, you may find him looking for good Chinese restaurants in Boston (still looking), engaging in heinous drink-mixing in the dining hall, or aggressively cringing at insects and any and all romance scenes on TV. Enoch sometimes snacks on spoonfuls of ketchup and/or chicken bouillon powder (when he’s feeling spicy).

Brooke Liao

Brooke is a first-year in Wigglesworth, and violinist in HRO. She is thinking of concentrating in Biology and Computer Science. When not in HRO, you can catch her sipping an iced matcha (with oatmilk), enjoying tennis, sourcing for Harvard’s Venture Capital Group or snacking on popcorn.

Ozioma Obi

Ozioma is a sophomore violinist from Greenville, North Carolina planning to concentrate in Neuroscience and (potentially) Music. He lives in Cabot House, which he deserves for spending so much time in Cabot library last year. Outside of HRO, Ozioma is on board for Harvard Nigerian Student Association.

Olivia Oh

Olivia is a sophomore violinist living in Leverett, concentrating in Psychology. Between her daily afternoon naps and late-night DJing, Olivia is an avid foodie: she can make a delectable dhall latte and enjoys Diet Coke, Sour Patch Kids, and much more – check out her food Instagram (@oliolioli_eats!)

Serin Park

Serin is a junior violinist from New York living in Winthrop. She is a WHRBie, celsius-stan, and ice-lover, concentrating in Neuroscience.

Catherine Previn

Bio: Catherine is a sophomore violinist concentrating in Government and Economics. From New York, New York, Catherine can often be found in Harvard Square during her late-night CVS and Jefe’s runs. Her favorite piece is Mahler’s 3rd Symphony, and her favorite foods include Cheerios, Fage Greek yogurt, and dried mangoes.

Andrew Sima

Andrew Sima is a senior violinist in Winthrop studying Computer Science. He enjoys late night drives to Shostakovich 6th Symphony, which is a dangerous habit he really needs to reconsider.

Paloma So

Paloma is a sophomore violinist in Pfoho studying Economics and Music. She is a fan of watermelon juice, Prokofiev, cram practicing, and will eat anything Asian. She is also a member of the Brattle Street Chamber Players and in the NEC Dual Degree program (she has given up on the 1 bus)

The Dr. Duen Shung & Mrs. Mei-Lin Shih Chair,

In Perpetuity

Michelle Stern

Michelle is a senior violinist living in Mather House and concentrating in Mathematics and Government. Outside of HRO, she is a member of the Brattle Street Chamber Players, HUFPI, and HFAC. When she isn’t running around campus carrying a million things (most notably random unnecessary bags and her violin), she can be found writing poetry/journaling, attempting to cook, hating on seltzer, or having deep philosophical conversations with friends in lieu of sleeping.

Audrey Sun

Audrey is a first-year violinist residing in Mass Hall. She is confused about what to concentrate in but possibly Physics or English or Comp lit or Music or Robots or Stars. When not playing in HRO, you can catch her snacking on fruits (likely a peach), sipping tea, walking 🏃, sleeping 😴, or playing chamber music and sight reading with friends.

Krystal Sun

Krystal is a first-year violinist originally from New Jersey now living in Pennypacker. She plans to concentrate in Neurobiology and is also pursuing a dual degree in Violin Performance at the New England Conservatory. In her free time, she enjoys trying new coffee varieties after setting 8 alarms and snoozing them all.

Iris Sung

Iris is a sophomore living in Lowell House, concentrating in mathematics. Outside of HRO, she is a co-president of the Harvard University Society of Physics Students and can also be found at the Herbaria working with dried dead plants.

Moshi Tang

Moshi is a sophomore violinist in Currier studying physics and music and pursuing a dual-degree in violin performance at the New England Conservatory. Outside of music, he enjoys eating, playing soccer, and staying up late to watch UFC.

Catie Thai

Catie is a senior violinist in Quincy House. She is concentrating in Chemistry because she likes drawing hexagons and shooting lasers at the crystals she makes for her research. When she is not running around Sanders taking photos of HRO, she can be found bringing her tiger plushie everywhere she goes, drawing cats on every white/chalkboard she sees, and taking detours by the GSD and Prescotts in the hopes of finding Remy the Harvard Cat (please let her know if you see him).

Sava Thurber

Sava is a sophomore violinist from Exeter, New Hampshire now living in Leverett. When he isn't frolicking in the dewy meadows at sunrise or tending to his indoor shrimp farm at night, he can be found trying to realize his lifelong dream of becoming the greatest supervillain of all time. Sava also manages the HCO orchestra, works as a professional taste-tester for Lindt, and studies Environmental Engineering.

Mana Tsuruta

Mana is a first-year violinist from Wigglesworth. Her favorite composer is Debussy, and outside of playing in HRO and writing for the Crimson, she can perhaps be found sipping on a cafe latte while reading and annotating C.S. Lewis’ The Screwtape letters. If it’s earlier in the day, Mana enjoys calling her mom in Japan and seeing her dog through the phone.

Lea Wang

Lea is a junior in Kirkland studying Applied Math and Social Studies. Originally from Bucks County, PA, her hobbies include listening to Spotify's pre-made playlists, searching for a less clunky formulation of her Harvard intro, and Flyby Lorna Doone thievery.

Matthew Yar

Matthew is a freshman in Thayer. Matthew is a stage manager with absolutely perfect attendance :D

Alex Yin

Alex is a junior violinist living in Kirkland House, concentrating in Applied Mathematics. He's an avid golfer, spikeball player, and top 0.5% Laufey listener on Spotify.

Nicholas Yoo

Nicholas is a freshman violinist living in Holworthy Hall and plans to concentrate in the History of Science (he doesn’t know if he likes history, science or both). Besides spending his time at HRO, Nicholas can be found watching "Modern Family" (he's watched the show 7 times), going on runs across the Charles, ranking restaurants on Belli, or coxing the Men’s Heavyweight Rowing team.

Stephanie Yoshida

Stephanie is a senior violinist in Quincy House concentrating in Astrophysics. Outside of HRO, Stephanie enjoys exploring exoplanets, Galactic dust maps, and all things baseball. When avoiding school or work, she enjoys baking, going shopping, and watching movies with friends.

Sheerea Yu

Sheerea is a sophomore violinist from Nashville now living in Currier. An avid midnight snacker, her food passions include chocolate covered plantain chips and matcha lattes with oat milk. She has a soft spot for Beethoven (sad Heiligenstädter letters), Tchaikovsky (Violin Concerto, of course), and Dvorak (Humoresque memories).

Sophie Zeng

Sophie is a first-year violinist living in Matthews, thinking to concentrate in Applied Math and Computer Science. She loves listening to Brahms and Rachmaninoff on her walks to get Boba, where she will always order a Passionfruit green tea with 50% sugar, less ice, and a pearl. Don’t forget the pearl.

Grace Zhou

Grace is a sophomore violinist in Adams concentrating in Computer Science and Physics. Despite being an avid Celsius enthusiast, Grace has a talent for sleep: she can sleep standing up, sitting down, lying down, on stairs, on concrete, in class, and with her eyes open. Please keep an eye out for her during concerts.

Kerrie Zhu

Kerrie is a first-year violinist in Canaday, hoping to study Psychology. Outside of rehearsal, she can be found taking pictures on her digital camera, or actively avoiding sweets for her sweets-free challenge for the fall semester. If you bring her sweets, she will force you to partake in a cursed psychological experiment.

Viola

Sidney Lee

Sidney is a junior violist living in Leverett concentrating in Applied Math and Econ. When she is not drinking cappuccinos, she is looking for cappuccinos. Outside of Sanders Theatre, you can find her at 14 Plympton Street writing on The Crimson’s News Board, or admiring the fine arts at the Signet Society clubhouse.

Principal

Katherine Avery

Katherine is a sophomore violist living in Leverett and a bona fide morning person. You can find her having really long conversations in the dining halls or engrossed in a library book when she should be studying.

Ian Chung

Ian is a freshman violist in Hollis, planning to concentrate in Economics and Government. You won’t be able to find him easily, as he is currently in an ongoing game of tag with violist Graham Lee. Graham got him today, but he doesn’t know what’s coming for him tomorrow.

Esther Clayton

Esther is a sophomore violist in Eliot House and PAF for Hollis North (HN on top!). A Molecular and Cellular Biology concentrator, she has resigned herself to a future of PSET misery. She is also actively preparing for retirement and can be seen at any time of day or night with a set of yarn and needles either in her hands or close nearby.

Isabel Dean

Isabel Dean sailed to HRO on a raft from: Turramurra, Sydney, NSW, Australia, Oceania, Earth. (Universe)

Peirce Ellis

Peirce is a senior violist in Kirkland House from Pennsylvania concentrating in Applied Mathematics.

Ben Fortuin

Ben is a sophomore violist in Winthrop House studying as much engineering as he can for Physics and Philosophy. Part of the Harvard Pops, AADT, and WHRB, his magnum opus as HRO’s Creative Director will be the glorious destruction of his sleep schedule. Now that he’s stopped drinking coffee, Ben wakes up to solve puzzles, speedwalk to class, and take care of his plants.

Mercer Greenwald

Mercer is a violist pursuing a PhD in Germanic Languages and Literatures. Her favorite piece is Daphnis et Chloe, and she also enjoys salsa and chips, ice cream, petting dogs, and coffee.

Joshua Halberstadt

Joshua is a senior violist in Kirkland House studying mechanical engineering and music. An aficionado of all things mechanical, he also participates in the Harvard Satellite Team and Harvard Organ Society (as he can tell you, organs can be viewed as a complex piece of machinery in addition to a musical instrument). As Tour Director Emeritus of HRO's 2024 Korea tour, we hope he gets some rest.

Sabrina Hu

Sabrina is a junior violist from College Station, Texas in Leverett House studying Computer Science and Statistics. Outside of HRO, she plays on the club volleyball team and is a member of HDAG and T4SG. When she isn’t performing or sleeping, she can likely be found several coffee cups in, psetting late into the night.

Ana Isabel Cardona Izquiel

Ana is a first-year violist in Matthews considering concentrating in English. Hailing from Venezuela, she enjoys journaling, sleeping into the afternoon, and an unhealthy addiction to Pure Leaf Lemon Tea. Ask her for book suggestions!

Juhee Kim

Juhee is a first-year violist in Canaday, planning to concentrate on Government and East Asian Studies. Outside of HRO, she spends her time looking for Remy the Harvard cat and wishing that the Brookside chocolate from CVS wasn’t so overpriced.

Brendon Lau

Brendon is a junior violist living in Winthrop House, concentrating in Music and Economics. He is HRO’s Vice President, and aside from HRO, he is a member of Brattle Street Chamber Players and Harvard Undergraduate Capital Partners. He enjoys binge-watching movies, playing the bass on the side, and sightreading with his roommate Ethan Chaves. If he isn’t sleeping, practicing, or at rehearsal, he’s probably at Hemenway gym with HRO oboist John Russell.

Graham Lee

Graham is a first-year violist in Straus, originally from Boston. He is hoping to concentrate in History, though is also interested in the Classics and ancient things in general. His favorite song outside the genre of classical music is “Michelle” by the Beatles. In his free time, he loves to sprint across the Yard at 2 am, religiously attend brain breaks, and lose his HUID.

Jane Oh

Jane Oh is a senior violist in the best house, Pfoho. She studies History and Literature with a secondary in Government and is currently thesising (cry). During her gap year, she taught at an elementary school for English Secondary Language learners and learned many cuss words in Spanish. Passionate about community building and empathy, she has served as Co-Chair of her House Committee, the Secretary of the (now abolished) Undergraduate Council, and currently serves as the Public Relations Director for a nonprofit, CovEducation.

Lily Peng

Lily is a first-year in Wigglesworth studying Economics. Post-college, she hopes to pursue law school. When not playing the viola in HRO or working for Harvard’s Consulting on Business and the Environment, she can be found eating ramen on late nights or Trader Joe’s Takis at any point in the day.

Claire Xu

Claire is a sophomore violist in Adams studying Statistics and Computer Science. She has evolved to become a morning person and can no longer stay up past 1am. In fact, she is probably already sleepy at 4pm. Please give her a coffee before HRO rehearsal.

Masako Yang

Masako is a sophomore in Adams studying environmental or mechanical engineering. Outside of HRO, she enjoys being outside and karate. If you find her, you'll likewise find crunchy morsels from Trader Joe's.

April Zhang

April is a freshman violist living in Weld concentrating in Computer Science and Social Studies. She is a frequent apple juice enjoyer and can normally be found searching stores for Martinelli’s while pretending flannels are apt substitutes for jackets.

Eric Zhu

Eric is a first-year violist living in Wigglesworth planning to concentrate in Applied Math and Economics. When he’s not pretending to be productive, you can find him playing tennis, watching movies, or attempting to convince himself that nature walks count as cardio. When he’s being productive, it’s probably because he’s sleeping.

Cello

Eugene Ye

Eugene is a senior cellist living in Mather concentrating in Applied Math. Aside from HRO, he is a member of BDC, CRGF, and other letters of the alphabet; otherwise, you can find him with the Signet Society, listening to Ravel, or sleeping.

Principal

The Anonymous Endowed Principal Cello Chair,

In Perpetuity

Jack Damon

Jack is a freshman on the fifth floor of Matthews Hall (no elevator by the way) studying some combination of music, math, physics, and linguistics. He is also a dual-degree student studying Composition at NEC. To his surprise, he has never had a single bad experience with the 1 Bus, a statement which he knows will not age well (note - it's been six weeks since I wrote that, and yes, the statement did not age well). When he’s not busy studying his good pals Hugo Riemann and Bernhard Riemann (who are actually not related) or playing in HRO (/BachSoc/Brattle/WHRB/Gilbert and Sullivan/whatever else he naively decides to overload his schedule with), he can be found guessing the Mahler or Sibelius symphony from one note, annoying people with perfect pitch, adding too many parentheticals in his essays (as you can tell), and conducting the non-stop music in his head when walking across the yard.

Nicole Fang

Nicole is a junior cellist in Kirkland House concentrating in Applied Math-Econ and Computer Science. Outside of HRO, she loves to dance, paint, and spend late nights at the library.

Caleb Graupera

Caleb is a freshman cellist living in Thayer, possibly planning on concentrating in Government and History. He is HRO’s Publicity Director and is additionally involved in the JFK Jr. Forum and is on the Business Board for the Harvard Crimson. His favorite early morning activity is leaving Thayer at 10:19am, which leaves just enough time to grab cereal at Berg before Ec10 (talk about optimization!). He loves cereal.

Sol Gutierrez-Lara

Sol is a junior cellist in Eliot House concentrating in Physics and Math with a secondary in Astrophysics. In addition to HRO, she is also involved in the Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra. Sol loves listening to music, sitting down for a coffee and a good talk with friends or family, and cashew squares from Costco. She also loves the outdoors and being surrounded by nature, with a special place in her heart for bicycle touring, camping, and the open road that calls.

Elizabeth Jones

Elizabeth is a sophomore cellist in Eliot House concentrating in History of Art and Architecture (Renaissance art specifically) with a secondary in Mind, Brain, and Behavior. She’s also studying Cello Performance at the New England Conservatory. You’ll either a) catch her staring at paintings in the Art Museum or b) never see her because she’s always practicing. She NEEDS to know, does observing Federico Cortese during HRO rehearsals fulfill her “appreciating Italian artists” requirement?

Meena Karimi

Meena Karimi is a first-year student living in Lionel, originally from Afghanistan. She plans to concentrate in Government and is on the pre-law track, with a focus on immigration law and policymaking. Outside of her academic pursuits, she is a member of the Harvard Debate Team and the Student Survey Advisory Group, where she shares ideas on designing and implementing surveys to encourage student participation, fostering dialogue and leadership to influence decisions and set priorities within the College.

Elizabeth Norris

Elizabeth Norris is a sophomore in Quincy studying Music and Neuroscience MBB. A Rochester, NY native, it is important to her that people know she is NOT from New York City. Outside of HRO, she is involved in Brattle Street Chamber Players, PBHA, and auditory neuroscience research. Has she mentioned she has Canadian and British citizenship yet?

Kobby Owusu

Kobby is a sophomore cellist in Kirkland concentrating in Molecular and Cellular Biology and Music and is also HRO’s Social Director. Outside of HRO, he is a member of the Brattle Street Chamber Players and Omo Naija x Wahala Boys dance troupe. A premed student, Kobby plans to work in urgent care which is ironic considering he has no sense of urgency whatsoever.

Justin Shaw

Justin is a sophomore cellist in Leverett House concentrating in Human Evolutionary Biology. Besides being HRO’s Tour Director, he conducts research on campus, runs by the Charles (training for the 2025 Boston Marathon!), and loves all foods matcha or blueberry.

Sean Yu

Sean is a junior cellist in Cabot House studying Applied Math in Economics. Outside of HRO, he’s a part of Charles River Growth Fund, MIR Investment Group, and the Signet Society. He enjoys late night drives, cashews, and Mahler.

Jiin Yun

Jiin is a first-year cellist in Thayer, hoping to concentrate in either Environmental Science and Engineering or Environmental Science and Public Policy. She hopes to attend law school post-graduation. When not playing in HRO, you can find her late at night at Lamont, staring at the Lamont Cafe menu and deciding what she wants to eat…but ending up not buying the food. Jiin is also involved in the Asian American Dance Troupe, Consulting on Business and the Environment, and radio broadcasting, WHRB.

Bass

Ben Witzel

Ben is a sophomore double bassist living in Winthrop and concentrating in Computer Science. He loves Cheez-its, thin mints, coffee, and rewatching How I Met Your Mother.

Principal

Zachary Rho

Zach is a first-year double bassist in Greenough concentrating in Economics and Statistics. When he’s not coxxing for the Men’s Rowing team or leaving Lamont at 11pm after “locking in,” he can be found drinking water, playing poker, or listening to Schubert.

Flute

Amy Hwang

Amy is a junior flutist in Eliot concentrating in Government and pursuing a dual degree in Music at the New England Conservatory. In addition to HRO, Amy is also part of the Harvard Consulting for Business and the Environment and the Harvard Institute of Politics Policy Program. In her free time, Amy enjoys eating tteokbokki, making vlogs, and buying little treats to reward herself for studying.

Carolyn Lau

Carolyn is a sophomore flutist living in Lowell and concentrating in Economics and Government! She loves eating Asian food (which doesn't exist in HUDS) and coffee. If you’re ever looking for her, you can probably find her in Lowell underground, at a boba shop watching Dance Moms, or hopefully going to the gym.

Ariel Wang
‍

Ariel is a senior flutist in Mather House studying Neuroscience, Economics, and Women, Gender, and Sexuality. Aside from HRO, she is additionally involved in CBE, Harvard Alternative Investment, and Smart Women Securities. Ariel is also a pianist and loves Ravel and Shostakovich – when she’s not switching between instruments, she can be found doing early-morning hot yoga or snacking on jasmine and sea salt ganache ice cream from Honeycomb.

Principals

Yiding Chen

Yiding is a flautist pursuing graduate studies in Human Development and Education. She is passionate about Piazzolla, Oreos (Fun fact: Oreo is also her cat’s name!), and Dear Evan Hansen, which, as she will tell you, is the best musical ever made.

Elizabeth Li

Liz is a senior flautist in Quincy House studying Computer Science and Statistics with a secondary in Economics. During daylight hours, her favorite drink is Tatte's iced vanilla latte with less ice and almond milk. (Sadly, she lacks lactase. Yes, she is upset about it.) During non-daylight hours, she prefers a vodka sour from Felipe's. Liz unfortunately has not yet acquired a taste for unleaded gasoline, but she's open to exploration and vows to get there one day.

Jack Zhang

Jack is a first-year flautist in Greenough. He loves to sing Karaoke with his two dogs and two cats, and wash it all down with a glass of Pineapple juice after.

Oboe

Anna Choi

Anna is a senior in Kirkland house pursuing a dual-degree in Human Developmental and Regenerative Biology and oboe performance at the New England Conservatory. She enjoys lifting in early mornings to Bach.

Ashley Gong

Ashley is a senior oboist in Eliot House concentrating in Computer Science and Classics. Aside from HRO, she is involved in Tech for Social Good, the Harvard Open Data Project, the Mozart Society Orchestra, and Datamatch. Her favorite orchestral work is Beethoven’s Seventh Symphony, and she loves to snack on anything sweet that comes her way.

Principals

Kaitlyn Choi

Kaitlyn is a first-year in Pennypacker concentrating in Economics and History. This gummy bear and lemonade lover plays the oboe and is dabbling with the idea of law school post-graduation. If it’s a late night, Kaitlyn loves watching movies, and if it’s early in the a.m.s, you can find her on serene walks.

Thomas Juhasz

Thomas is a junior oboist from the greater Boston area and currently residing in Eliot House. When he is not practicing oboe in his room or rehearsing with his fellow oboists, he can be found going on morning runs, reading texts in Ancient Greek, and sleepily debating philosophical topics with his roommate at 2 am.

Liv Oster

Liv is a senior oboist living in Eliot House and concentrating in English. Aside from HRO, she is also a tutor at the writing center. She loves taking walks by the Charles and curling up in pjs with a good book, chai tea, and a fuzzy blanket. When she isn’t taking shots of reed water, you may find her trying to learn the recorder or dabbling in swing dancing. Before developing these quirky interests, she was (perhaps understandably) a child who went to circus camp. And yes, she can ride a unicycle.

John Russell

John is a junior oboist living in Dunster House and concentrating in Statistics. He is a tour guide, a bassist in a rock band, and a member of Product Lab. Outside of HRO, his evenings are spent at stat110 office hours or at the gym with his good friend HRO violist Brendon Lau. In his free time, he also enjoys bowling, reading, and sampling various desserts.

Puyuan Ye
‍
‍
‍‍

Puyuan is a sophomore oboist from Shanghai, China now living in Leverett thinking of studying Computer Science. His favorite composer is Antonio Pasculli, and is thus referred to as "the Pasculli kid" by his oboe teacher. The Pasculli kid is additionally passionate about soccer, badminton, sleeping, video games, and lemonade.

Clarinet

Louis Auxenfans
‍
‍
‍

Louis is a sophomore clarinetist in Currier studying Economics and Statistics and is also HRO’s Treasurer. He loves drinking copious amounts of earl gray tea with milk, hanging out with friends and following the markets like a finance bro. He has dreams of someday becoming a conductor a lá Bernstein, but they’re not as fantastical as his eternal optimism that his soccer team, Tottenham Hotspur, will finally win a trophy.

Veronica Li

Veronica is a junior clarinetist in Winthrop House studying Psychology and Music and pursuing a dual degree in Clarinet at the New England Conservatory. She is HRO’s President, and when she isn’t in HRO or listening to Brahms, she is likely eating a Felipe’s burrito or drinking a Panera mango smoothie (and actively adding restaurant ratings to Beli).

Principals

In Memory of Prof. Norman L. Letvin,

In Perpetuity

Cadee Lee

Cadee is a sophomore clarinetist in Leverett with a joint concentration in Neuroscience and Music. Outside of HRO, she loves cafe hopping and filling her camera roll with too many photos for her storage to handle.

Evan Liu

Evan is a junior clarinetist in Dunster, concentrating in Applied Math and Economics. At night, he enjoys consuming beverages and being in bed by 1am. So responsible! While he isn’t carefully counting his measures of rest during rehearsal (real world applied math application!), he enjoys working out and listening to Orbits by Joseph Norman. Outside of HRO, he is part of Charles River Growth Fund, Harvard Glee Club, HUGEM, and a 1010A CA.

Bassoon

Zachary Piesner

Zach is a first-year bassoon player in Grays considering med school. If you enjoy sleeping until a 4am game of Geoguessr like him, he recommends a combination of oat milk and Joe’s pizza on the side.

Principal

Rahul Prasad

Rahul is a junior bassoonist (very rare) in Cabot House studying Computer Science (very common) and Music. Rahul enjoys designing posters for HRO, biking to Boston every week, and working as a barista at Cabot Café.

Horn

Roshen Chatwal

Roshen is a junior french horn player in Kirkland House studying Applied Math and Economics and pursuing a dual degree in Music at the New England Conservatory. He is also an Eagle Scout and was the Kirkland Boar at opening ceremonies. That suit was very hot.

Isabelle Lee

Isabelle Lee is a sophomore horn player in Quincy House studying Human Developmental Regenerative Development Regenerativable Something More Science Words Biology with a secondary in. She plays the French Horn ok. Yeah she’s ok at it. She also enjoys hanging out with baby zebrafish and pretending to research them.

Principals

The Anonymous Endowed Principal Horn Chair,

In Perpetuity

Nick Lee

Nick is a French Horn player and a senior in Quincy House studying economics (and government). As President Emeritus, he performs secretive and unspecified duties for HRO’s extensive deep state apparatus. He can often be found reading (5% for class, 95% other), eating anywhere besides Quincy Dhall (send recs!), and contemplating the Forms.

Keneil Soni

Keneil is a junior french horn player in Lowell House majoring in Neuroscience. Outside of HRO, he enjoys sports, hanging out with friends, and sleeping.

Finn Tondro

Finn is a first-year hornist in Grays, hoping to concentrate in History. While not in HRO, he enjoys touching grass (mountaineering and going on trips with HOC) and rock climbing. Beyond his musical and athletic endeavors, he enjoys listening to Mahler, hanging out with friends, and consuming root beer and goldfish.

Tony Xu

Tony is a horn player pursuing a PhD in Applied Math. Outside of rehearsal, he can be found waiting for a rack at Hemenway, and he loves every Mahler symphony.

Trumpet

Harry Epstein

Harry is a senior in Quincy House studying Psychology and Music. The high-pressure rehearsal environment of the HRO provides him with ample opportunity to put his Psychology teachings into practice. During breaks, he can often be seen polling the other musicians about their relationships with their parents, asking them how Federico Cortese makes them FEEL, or placing electrodes on Thomas Gustafson's head for an EEG because what even goes on in a trombone player's head???

Ben Lyczkowski

Ben is a first-year trumpet player in Canaday, but don’t be fooled: Ben has been playing under Fed’s baton for longer than any HRO senior. Hailing from the distant lands of Concord, MA, Ben is a trumpet player. As a trumpet player, during rehearsal, he can be found causing a ruckus in the brass section, in which he plays the trumpet. Ben Lyczkowski plays the instrument formally known as the trumpet. Also, trumpet is an instrument played by Benjamin Aaron Lyczkowski.

Principals

The Anonymous Endowed Principal Trumpet Chair,

In Perpetuity

Ian Lee

Ian is a freshman trumpet player in Thayer, hoping to concentrate in Applied Math and Economics. Outside of applying math to economics, Ian is passionate about applying his trumpet to Thayer. You can hear him playing in the Thayer basement, in the shower, in your room, while you’re writing this…

Catherine Li

Catherine is a sophomore trumpetist originally from Ann Arbor, Michigan now living in Kirkland and concentrating in Electrical Engineering. Her favorite weather is 65 degrees and sunny, and she loves country music, the outdoors, as well as types of potato chip and seltzer. Catherine is also a member of Harvard’s varsity sailing team, and if you look close enough, you might find her on the verge of capsizing into the Charles.

James McAffrey

James is a junior trumpet player in Leverett House studying Government with a joint in History. He originally hails from Oklahoma City, and besides music, he is also the Staff Director for the Harvard Political Review, a rock climber, a rower, and a baker.

Trombone

Thomas Gustafson

Thomas is a junior trombonist studying Social Studies with a secondary in Statistics. Outside of HRO, he plays trombone in the Hasty Pudding Theatricals Pit Orchestra and is on the Harvard Red Line Ultimate Frisbee Team.

Principal

Bobby Burns

Bobby is a trombone player from Harvard Law School. His ideal day includes sleeping in, perusing the Harvard Journal of Law & Technology to Mahler 2, and grabbing late-night quesadillas at Felipe’s.

Tuba

Ben Arthurs

Ben Arthurs is a sophomore living in powerful Pfoho House. Getting his tuba from there to rehearsal three times per week is quite possibly his greatest struggle in life. When he's not sitting silently onstage counting measures, you can find Ben singing around the world with the Din & Tonics or talking about exoplanets.

Harp

Allison Mi

Allison is a sophomore in Winthrop, concentrating in Economics. When not playing in HRO, you can find her exploring cafes and restaurants in the Square with friends, studying to some Debussy and Bizet playlists, or FaceTiming home to say hi to her pride and joy: her cats!

Timpani

Joshua Qin

Joshua is a sophomore percussionist in Dunster planning to concentrate in Staistics and Computer Science. Outside of HRO, Joshua is additionally involved in AADT. When he’s not playing basketball, visiting art museums, or going on late-night hikes with friends, he can most definitely be found in DeWolfe with a matcha latte in hand.

Principal

The Richard B. & Karensue Dobrow Chair,

In Perpetuity

Percussion

William Xu

William is a junior percussionist in Kirkland House concentrating in Neurobiology with a secondary in Computer Science. Aside from HRO, he is also a part of AACF (Asian American Christian Fellowship) and PBHA (Phillips Brooks House Association). When he isn’t jumping from instrument to instrument, he is likely sleeping in Cabot with a Felipe’s burrito in hand.

Principal

The Jay R. Girotto Chair,

In Perpetuity

Ryan Lopez

Ryan is a freshman percussionist living in Holworthy, hoping to concentrate in Government and Neuroscience. During rehearsal, he likes to munch on honey butter chips and daydream of a day when Fed will decide to program Stravinsky.

Kyler Rno

Kyler is a freshman percussionist living in Canaday. He is a fervent advocate for ice coffee, which helps him stay awake during loooooong rests in rehearsal.

Easton Singer

Easton is a junior percussionist in Kirkland House studying Mathematics and Computer Science. In addition to HRO, he also plays piano or percussion in the pit orchestra of many student musical productions. When not in a rehearsal or solving a math problem, you can probably find him playing board games with friends.

Yizhe Sun

Yizhe is a senior in Lowell House studying Physics and Music. He was a former assistant conductor of the orchestra and now is a percussionist. Yes, he got relegated to the last row of the orchestra. Karma.

Student
Conductor

Enoch Li

The Brian Koh ’96 &
Catherine Shih ’96 Chair,

In Perpetuity

Federico Cortese, Music Director

Orchestra members

Season 217 coming soon!

Violin

Viola

Cello

Bass

Flute

Oboe

Clarinet

Bassoon

Horn

Trumpet

Trombone

Tuba

Harp

Timpani

Percussion

StudentConductor

Student
Conductor