A committed contributor to the Pittsburgh and tri-state area music scene since graduating from Carnegie Mellon University’s Master’s program in 2016, Andrew Symington is a freelance Horn player and private lesson instructor. He is proud to perform regularly with the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra, Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh, River City Brass Band, Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra, Pittsburgh Chamber Brass, Wheeling Symphony Orchestra (WV), and Columbus Symphony Orchestra (OH), among others. 

Andrew loves his private students, who represent at least 10 different greater Pittsburgh school districts. He is a private teacher for the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO) School of Music. Many of Andrew’s students participate in the excellent youth music programs offered by the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra (PYCO), Pittsburgh Youth Philharmonic Orchestra (PYPO), Three Rivers Young Peoples Orchestras (TRYPO), and Pennsylvania Music Educators Association (PMEA).

Andrew authored the blog, “New Symphony Listeners Guide,” which was designed to draw people into the experience of diverse sounds and emotions found in symphonies of lesser popular stature than those in the standard orchestral repertoire. As a published author, his article about composer William Grant Still can be read through the online arts publication, Raft Magazine.

Andrew lives with his wife, Larissa, and their 18-month-old daughter, Anita. They love their church (Vintage Church), spending time outdoors, and playing with their cats, Valkyrie and Fingolfin.

Adam Gillespie is a Pittsburgh-based freelance musician, educator, and software engineer. You can find Adam on stage with area ensembles such as the River City Brass Band, West Virginia and Westmoreland symphonies, Resonance Works | Pittsburgh, and various chamber ensembles. 

Adam most recently was named Academy Director and Philharmonic Conductor at the Westmoreland Symphony Orchestra's Academy of Music. Additionally, Adam has worked as an administrator at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO), appeared as guest conductor with the Pittsburgh Youth Concert Orchestra and The Brass Roots, and has served as assistant director and producer for several PSO Front Row digital concerts.

When not on or around the stage, Adam works as a Software Engineer at The Washington Post and maintains a small private teaching studio out of his home in Forest Hills. 

Adam received degrees from Alderson Broaddus University and Carnegie Mellon University, where his primary teachers included Dr. Timothy DeWitt and Neal Berntsen.

Julia Nainiger is a professional freelance trombonist in the Pittsburgh area. She received a Bachelor of Music in Trombone Performance from Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, OH and a Master of Music in Trombone Performance from Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, PA. Julia has been a substitute trombonist with several regional orchestras including the Canton Symphony, Erie Philharmonic, Youngstown Symphony, and Akron Symphony. She has also been a substitute with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra and the Pittsburgh Opera Orchestra. Along with performing, Julia teaches private lessons and coaches chamber ensembles.

When she is not performing or teaching, Julia enjoys spending time with her husband, David, and their three cats, Sebastian, Gizmo, and Boo Radley.

Jay Villella has been a professional orchestral, chamber music, musical theater, "Swiss Army Knife" of a trumpet player around Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York, and West Virginia since 2013. 

A graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Yale School of Music, he currently holds the position of 2nd trumpet with the orchestras in Akron and Youngstown Ohio. He frequently performs with the Erie Philharmonic, Wheeling Symphony, Canton Symphony, River City Brass Band, Pittsburgh Opera, and the Chamber Orchestra of Pittsburgh where he also serves as a board member. Jay is an adjunct instructor of music at Chatham University in Pittsburgh. 

As a former chamber music fellow at both the Aspen Music Festival and Norfolk Chamber Music Festival, he has always been a big fan of chamber music and is excited to share it with you!

When he's not playing, practicing, or teaching you can find Jay and his wife Elise biking on trails, boating in the rivers, or hiking around the mountains.

Larry Dine is an active tuba player and brass teacher in the Pittsburgh region. A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Dr. Dine is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music, Duquesne University, West Virginia University, and Capital University.

As a performer, Dr. Dine holds the position of Principal Tuba in the Johnstown Symphony, and performs regularly with the Wheeling Symphony, West Virginia Symphony, Westmoreland Symphony, and River City Brass. His playing can be heard on the 2018 Grammy-nominated recording of the National Orchestral Institute Philharmonic, featuring works Ruggles, Stucky, and Harbison. He has also performed in South America and Europe.

As a music teacher, Larry maintains a private studio in Pittsburgh, and is Assistant Director of the West Mifflin Marching Band. He previously was on faculty at Fairmont State University in Fairmont, WV and Sewickley Academy in Sewickley, PA. He has given guest recitals, masterclasses, and clinics across the region, including at Frostburg State University, Miami Univeristy (OH), West Virginia University, and Capital University. He has additionally taught guest masterclasses and sectionals with the West Virginia honor band and Johnstown Symphony Youth Orchestra.