2025-26 Board

President

Alex Lin

East Setauket, NY

Cello

Computer Science & Math, Minor in Biology

(School of Engineering, '26)

"Outside of playing the cello, I enjoy working out, listening to new music, and exploring Nashville with my friends!”

Favorite Composers: Dvorak, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich

Vice President

Julia Laforet

Avon, OH

Violin

Computer Science & Math, Minor in Data Science

(School of Engineering, ‘27)

“Outside of VCO, I love to express myself through painting, cooking, and fashion. I also enjoy reading, long walks, and making Pinterest boards."

Favorite Composers: Ravel, Tchaikovsky, Rachmaninoff

Secretary

Julie Qi

Nashville, TN

Cello

Molecular Cellular Biology & Medicine, Health, and Society,

Minor in Chemistry

(College of Arts & Sciences, '26)

"Outside of playing the cello, I love drawing, watching new TV shows, and going cafe hopping with friends. On campus, I am also involved in Vandy RAM, VSVS, and gene therapy research in addition to VCO and other music-related clubs.”

Favorite Composers: Saint-Saëns, Tchaikovsky, Chopin

Treasurer

Lauren Lee

Los Angeles, CA

Flute

Medicine, Health, and Society, Minor in Cognitive Studies

(College of Arts & Sciences, '26)

"Along with performing in our orchestra and other musical clubs, some of my hobbies are hanging out with my friends, watching shows, or thrifting in my free time. When I'm not lounging around or studying, you can find me out for a hike or a run!"

Favorite Composers: Rachmaninoff, Tchaikovsky, Mahler

Treasurer

Joseph Sung

Rowland Heights, CA

Cello

Neuroscience & Music as a Second Major

(College of Arts & Sciences, '27)

"Hi yall! I love VCO but outside of it I am part of organizations such as HFTE and Interaxon! I also am part of a research lab that does research on alzheimer’s disease. In my free time I love eating out with my friends and ranking all the places we go, and overall just spending time having conversation with the people that are important to me <3"

Favorite Composers: Rachmaninoff, Piccioni, Tchaikovsky, Hisaishi

Chamber Coordinator

Jonas Rosenman

San Francisco, CA

Cello

Math & Economics

(College of Arts & Science, '28)

"I enjoy skiing and playing tennis when I'm not practicing or studying."

Favorite Composers: Shostakovich

Chamber Coordinator

Kevin Ou

Nashville, TN

Violin

Computer Science & Math

Minors in Music Composition & Violin Performance

(School of Engineering, '27)

"Outside of my musical interests of violin, piano, and composing, I also enjoy drawing and language learning! I love spending my time creating and consuming art, whether musical or otherwise."

Favorite Composers: Kapustin, Debussy, Yu-Peng Chen

Social Chair

Nolan Boerner

Racine, WI

Cello

Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Music Performance

(School of Engineering, '27)

"I have always loved music. Before I could play the cello, I’d poorly dance my way through songs and listen to iTunes over and over again. Outside of music, I am a passionate sports fan and gym goer. Many of my weekends are spent watching games on television or checking the ESPN app. When I’m not following a sporting match or practicing the cello, you can find me hanging out with my friends or procrastinating my homework."

Favorite Composers: Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, Dvorak

Visual Designer

Sally Choi

Nashville, TN

Violin

Cognitive Studies & MHS, Minor in Anthropology

(Peabody College, '26)

“I like drawing and making music (makes sense, right?). I also love filming videos, visiting museums, exploring new places, and trying new foods and hobbies! I'm involved in VUcept and Katie's Art Project, and I work in the Stress and Coping Lab. Feel free to wave hello when I walk around campus with my headphones on!"

Favorite Composers: Tchaikovsky, Zimmer, Hisaishi

Publicity Chair

Olivia Bisesi

Port Orange, FL

Flute

Mechanical Engineering, Minor in Digital Fabrication

(School of Engineering, '28)

"Hi, my name is Olivia Bisesi, and outside of VCO, I serve as the Recruitment Chair for Tikkun Olam Makers and am an active member in the Society of Women Engineers, Motorsports Club, and my sorority, Chi Omega. In my free time, I enjoy staying active, spending time outdoors, and going to the beach!"

Favorite Composer: Delius

Music Librarian

Ned Henneman

Savannah, GA

Viola

Piano Performance & Biology

(Blair School of Music, '27)

"Outside of VCO, I am a member of Harmonies for the Elderly where I play piano at retirement homes in Nashville. I spend my free time hanging out with friends, running, and playing board games."

Favorite Composer: Brahms

Concertmaster

Aiden Min

Atlanta, GA

Violin

Computer Science & Math,

(School of Engineering, '27)

"Outside of VCO, I enjoy cooking, watching anti-hero shows, and window shopping."

Favorite Composer: Beethoven

Music Director

Isabella Nichols

Oconomowoc, WI

Violin + Piano

Music Composition & Sociology

Concentration in Conducting

(Blair School of Music, ‘26)

"Isabella Nichols (Class of 2026) is a student at the Blair School of Music pursuing a Bachelor of Musical Arts degree in Music Composition and Sociology with a Concentration in Conducting. She studies conducting with Professor Ernesto Estigarribia Mussi at Vanderbilt, and has studied with Professor Margery Deutsch at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee in the past. She also studied with Dr. Miguel Harth-Bedoya at The Conducting Institute’s programs of spring 2024 and summer 2025. She is currently a composition student of Professor Michael Slayton, a piano student of Derek Hartman, and violinist in the Vanderbilt University Orchestra. Isabella was a three-time John Downey Creation Project Fellow with the Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra (MYSO), and in 2022 she conducted the MYSO Senior Symphony in the premiere of her piece, Swan Song. Her compositions have also been performed by the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Community Orchestra and various ensembles at the Interlochen Arts Academy. A number of her pieces have been published by label Modus Operandi for Universal Music Productions and appear in several PBS television shows."

Favorite Composer: Brahms, Tchaikovsky, Montgomery, Ravel

Associate Conductor

Paxson Amy

Conway, AR

Horn

Music: Integrated Studies

Concentration in Musicology

(Blair School of Music, '26)

"Paxson Amy is a fourth-year student at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music studying conducting with Dr. Ernesto Estigarribia and horn with Professor Leslie Norton. Paxson serves as associate conductor of the Vanderbilt Commodore Orchestra and was an apprentice conductor at Prague Summer Nights opera festival in 2024. On campus, he has conducted performances with Vanderbilt Ballet, Vanderbilt Opera Theatre, and members of Vanderbilt Off Broadway. He will open the Vanderbilt University Orchestra’s 2025-26 concert season conducting Mozart’s Die Zauberflöte Overture and will later lead the Vanderbilt Wind Symphony in Shostakovich’s Festive Overture. Outside of classical music, he plays guitar in the alternative rock band Salon Blonde. Paxson enjoys bodybuilding and is a published poet."

Favorite Composer: Mozart

Assistant Conductor

Trevor Hyun

Honolulu, HI

Piano + Viola

Piano Performance, Minor in Viola Performance

(Blair School of Music, '27)

”Trevor Hyun is a third-year student at the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance with a minor in Viola Performance. He studies piano with Professor Amy Dorfman, viola with Professor David Samuel, and conducting with Dr. Ernesto Estigarribia Mussi, and has previously studied with Professors Karen Ann Krieger and Kathryn Plummer. Trevor joins the Vanderbilt Commodore Orchestra’s conducting team as Assistant Conductor after two years performing with the ensemble as a violist, previously serving as Principal and Librarian. As a dedicated performer, Trevor has appeared in prestigious venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, and the Neil S. Blaisdell Concert Hall, among others across the U.S. He has participated in the Bowdoin International Music Festival, Brevard Music Center Summer Institute, and Hawaii Chamber Music Festival, working with esteemed artists and faculty. At Blair, Trevor has served as Principal for both viola and keyboard in the Vanderbilt University Orchestra, premiered and recorded contemporary works, and actively champions chamber music and interdisciplinary collaboration. Outside of music, he enjoys cooking, thrifting, and drinking coffee whenever it’s available.

Favorite Composers: Scriabin, Rachmaninoff, Shostakovich

Faculty Advisor

Jeremy Wilson

Trombonist Jeremy Wilson is acclaimed for the versatility and lyricism of his playing as well as his insight and commitment as a teacher. Currently Professor of Trombone at Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, Wilson is something of a legend in trombone circles for winning his first-ever audition to become a member of the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra and its sister organization, the orchestra of the Vienna State Opera. At the time, he was the orchestras’ only American full-time member, splitting his time between second trombone, first trombone, euphonium, and bass trumpet. During his tenure in Vienna (2007-2012), Wilson performed hundreds of orchestral concerts at home and in 28 countries around the globe under the batons of the world’s leading conductors. At the Vienna State Opera, he played over 550 performances of 85 different operas and ballets, including five complete Wagner “Ring” cycles. His artistry is documented on numerous recordings, and his versatility extends to solo and chamber music performances as well. The winner of numerous awards, Wilson has also played with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra, the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and the Saito Kinen Orchestra at the special invitation of Maestro Seiji Ozawa. A native of Tennessee, Wilson returned to his home state in 2012 to devote more time to his young family and fulfill his long-time passion for teaching. He is highly sought as a teacher and clinician, and in addition to his full-time position at Vanderbilt, he has been a featured guest artist and given master classes and lectures throughout the United States.

Faculty Advisor

Ernesto Estigarribia
Mussi

Paraguayan conductor Ernesto Estigarribia Mussi is highly regarded for his versatility and effervescent style on and off the podium. Hailed for his “expert direction” by Fanfare magazine, he is music director of the Sheboygan Symphony Orchestra and the Mankato Symphony Orchestra, becoming the first Paraguayan to be music director of a professional orchestra abroad. He holds the position of assistant professor of conducting at Vanderbilt University Blair School of Music and has previously served as associate conductor of the Quad City Symphony Orchestra.

Estigarribia Mussi has guest conducted the Minnesota Orchestra, La Crosse Symphony, Dubuque Symphony, St. Cloud Symphony, Rochester Symphony, Orquesta de Cámara del Centro del Conocimiento (Argentina), Orquesta Sinfónica Nacional-Paraguay, and is the most frequent guest conductor of the Orquesta Sinfónica del Congreso Nacional (Paraguay). In addition to symphonic performances, Ernesto has led numerous opera productions including Puccini's Gianni Schicchi, Mozart's Idomeneo, Britten's Albert Herring, Zimmermann's Weisse Rose, and Jake Heggie’s Two Remain.

He holds degrees from Pittsburg State University (BM) and the University of Minnesota (MM and DMA), where he studied conducting with Mark Russell Smith. In his free time he enjoys cooking vegan recipes with his wife Sabrina.