ASO appoints Tallie Brunfelt as Concertmaster
The Akron Symphony Orchestra and Music Director Christopher Wilkins are pleased to announce the appointment of Tallie Brunfelt as Concertmaster.
Tallie will officially begin as Concertmaster at the Symphony’s season opening concert on Sept. 23. She succeeds Alan Bodman, who retired from the Symphony following the 2015-16 season after 30 years of service, including 22 years as Concertmaster.
“Tallie’s audition showed what an altogether superb musician she is. Her sound, musicality, and understanding of musical styles all stood out,” Wilkins said. “She was especially impressive during her ‘trial weeks’ this past spring when she led two programs: Cirque de la Symphonie and Elijah. Her leadership was utterly natural and convincing.
“The concertmaster plays a critical role within an orchestra. That person’s musicianship and leadership skills have a profound impact on the sound of the whole orchestra. I don’t fully understand why this is true, but I know it is. Virtuosity, experience as a performer, verbal and non-verbal communication, and superb preparation all come together in an effective concertmaster. We are thrilled to welcome Tallie to the orchestra as a ‘first among equals’ – the Akron Symphony’s new concertmaster.”
A native of Minnesota, Tallie enjoys regular appearances with the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra, Harrisburg (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra, Reading (Pa.) Symphony Orchestra and Delaware Symphony Orchestra. She also maintains an active freelance career in the Northeastern United States.
“I’m honored to be joining the Akron Symphony Orchestra as Concertmaster,” she said, “and I’m looking forward to a fantastic 2017-18 season.”
Recent engagements include Miss Saigon, Hello Dolly!, Something Rotten!, and War Paint on Broadway, and the New York and Christmas Spectaculars at Radio City Music Hall. In addition to serving as Concertmaster for recent national tours of Fiddler on the Roof and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Tallie has performed in major concert halls around the world, including Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Semperoper in Dresden, Auditorio Nacional in Mexico City, and Carnegie Hall in New York.
She can be heard on recent motion picture soundtracks including A Dog’s Purpose, Keeping Up with the Joneses, and Collateral Beauty.
Tallie is also an avid teacher, presenting interactive music appreciation concerts to a variety of young and adult audiences, as well as private and group lessons for primary and secondary school students in and around New York City.
Tallie lives in Manhattan with her fiancé, Bryan, and dog, Belle.