Pacific Symphony announces six new orchestra appointments
Pacific Symphony welcomes six new musicians to its roster for the 2026-27 season, bringing to Orange County accomplished performers with experience performing with leading orchestras and in concert halls and music festivals around the world.
Joining the orchestra are Evan Nicholson and Xi Yang, cello; Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez, principal trombone; Griffin Cutaiar, bass trombone; Benjamin Vargas, principal tuba and Will Howald, principal timpani. The appointments come as Pacific Symphony begins its 2026-27 season under Artistic & Music Director Alexander Shelley, marking a new chapter in the orchestra’s artistic evolution.
“We are thrilled to welcome these six exceptional musicians to Pacific Symphony,” said Alexander Shelley, artistic and music director of Pacific Symphony. “Each brings tremendous artistry, experience and musical excellence to the orchestra. As we begin this exciting new chapter, their talent will further strengthen an already extraordinary ensemble. We look forward to the contributions they will make both on stage and within our community.”
Evan Nicholson, Cello
A native of Atlanta, Georgia, Nicholson began studying cello at age 4 after a brief start on violin. As the result of young artist competitions, he performed the first movement of the Dvořák Cello Concerto with the Emory Youth Symphony Orchestra and Columbus State Symphony Orchestra and the Shostakovich Concerto with the Northwest Florida Symphony.
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Photos courtesy of Pacific Symphony
Xi Yang
Xi Yang, Cello
Born in Guangdong, China, Yang began her musical studies at age 7 and received her early training in Shanghai before attending the Bard Conservatory of Music, where she completed its five-year double-degree program. She later earned her Master of Music degree from the USC Thornton School of Music and was awarded full scholarships at both institutions.
Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez, Principal Trombone
Trombonist, composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist Hiram Sebastian Rodriguez brings a wide-ranging musical background to his role as principal trombone. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music in 2020 and his master’s degree from UCLA in 2022.
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Griffin Cutaiar
Griffin Cutaiar, Bass Trombone
Griffin Cutaiar is originally from Ellicott City, Maryland. Prior to his appointment as bass trombone of Pacific Symphony, he served as acting bass trombone of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
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Benjamin Vargas
Benjamin Vargas, Principal Tuba
Vargas joins Pacific Symphony as principal tuba after performances with the Toronto Symphony, Ann Arbor Symphony and Hamilton Philharmonic. In winter 2025, he toured internationally with film composer Hans Zimmer, performing in the United States and Saudi Arabia. He was also the sole American semifinalist in the 2025 International Tuba Euphonium Competition and a semifinalist in the 2024 Leonard Falcone International Tuba Competition.
Will Howald
Will Howald, Principal Timpani
Howald joins Pacific Symphony as principal timpani after previously serving as principal timpani with the Erie Philharmonic and section percussion with the Spokane Symphony. He has also appeared with the San Francisco Symphony, Oregon Symphony, Las Vegas Philharmonic, The Academy of St. Martin-in-the-Fields and Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra.
