Annapolis Symphony Orchestra Appoints Six New Musicians

The Annapolis Symphony Orchestra (ASO) has appointed six new string musicians, whose artistry will deepen the ASO’s vibrant sound and strengthen its role as a cultural leader in the region. The new musicians include principal harp Katherine Ventura; violinists Zoe Kushubar, Anna Luebke, Madalyn Navis and Glen Kuenzi; and violist Kunjing Dai.

Katherine Ventura joins the ASO after three seasons as acting principal harp with the Kansas City Symphony, with frequent appearances at the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, including on recordings and international tours. She will serve as acting principal harp of the Pittsburgh Symphony during the 2025–2026 season.

The new violin and viola appointments bring an impressive range of experience:

• Zoe Kushubar (violin) is pursuing her Doctor of Musical Arts at the University of Maryland and has performed internationally, with solo appearances across the eastern U.S. and Europe.
• Anna Luebke (violin) holds positions with the Des Moines Metro Opera Orchestra, Maryland Symphony Orchestra, and Sarasota Opera Orchestra, and has held fellowships at Tanglewood and Spoleto USA.
• Madalyn Navis (violin) performed with Virginia Symphony Orchestra and regularly performs with the Baltimore Chamber Orchestra and Richmond Symphony.
• Glen Kuenzi (violin) performs with the Great Falls Philharmonic. He is a former concertmaster of the National Orchestral Institute + Festival (NOI+F) and an Eastern Music Festival fellow.
• Kunjing Dai (viola), a graduate of Juilliard and Rice, has performed with the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Colorado Symphony, and Ying Quartet, and serves on the faculty of the Boston University Tanglewood Institute.

“These musicians embody the artistic depth, talent and professionalism we strive to bring to the stage,” said ASO’s artistic director and conductor, José-Luis Novo. “At the ASO, we are committed to presenting concerts that are both emotionally engaging and conceptually appealing. By welcoming these new colleagues, we reaffirm our mission to share music as a living art form — one that reflects the diversity, resilience, and imagination of the human spirit, and serves as a powerful means for bringing people together.”

Under Novo’s leadership, many ASO musicians have chosen to make Annapolis their artistic home for decades. The shared joy of performing together — both at their home in Maryland Hall and on stages across the region — fosters a sense of camaraderie and artistic dedication that defines the ASO’s sound.

ASO Executive Director Erica Bondarev Rapach added, “Our musicians are the heart of everything we do. These appointments ensure that the ASO can continue offering extraordinary performances while deepening our connections with the community. We are especially proud that violinist Glen Kuenzi also teaches at the Annapolis Symphony Academy, where ASO professional musicians — all union-represented — mentor young students in lessons, ensembles and the Orion Youth Orchestra. This connection between the symphony and the academy is central to our mission: inspiring audiences today and nurturing the musicians of tomorrow. We are thrilled to welcome these new colleagues, and I know our patrons will give them a warm Annapolis welcome.”