NSO Welcomes Five New Musicians for the 2025-2026 Season

Washington, D.C. — The National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts is pleased to announce the addition of five exceptional musicians to its ensemble for the 2025–26 season. Each artist brings a unique blend of talent, experience, and passion for their craft, promising to enrich the ensemble’s dynamic and elevate the artistic caliber of upcoming NSO performances. “We are thrilled to welcome these five remarkable musicians to the National Symphony Orchestra,” said Jean Davidson, Executive Director of the National Symphony Orchestra. “Each brings not only exceptional artistry and technical skill, but also a deep passion for connecting with audiences. Their arrival also reflects our ongoing commitment to making world-class music accessible to all – at the Kennedy Center and through programs that bring the NSO to every corner of our community.” “As I begin my ninth season as Music Director of the NSO, I am delighted to welcome five new artists to our orchestra,” said NSO Music Director Gianandrea Noseda. “I feel a deep responsibility to secure the future of the NSO by bringing in musicians who will help preserve and further develop the orchestra’s unique sound and tradition. The arrival of new members is always a source of excitement, joy, and anticipation for all of us.” As the NSO enters its 95th year, the future of the orchestra remains promising. Audiences will delight in the rich, inspiring performances that lie ahead, marked by artistic growth and the vibrant energy of our newly expanded ensemble. Musician Bios Xiaoxuan Shi – 2nd Assistant Concertmaster Chinese-born violinist Xiaoxuan Shi was appointed Second Assistant Concertmaster of the National Symphony Orchestra by Music Director Gianandrea Noseda in 2025. Prior to this appointment, she was a member of the San Diego Symphony Orchestra. A laureate of numerous competitions, Ms. Shi has received top prizes at the Singapore International Violin Competition, Adelphi Orchestra Young Artist Competition, Vivo International Music Competition in New York, Guangya Invitational Violin Competition, and China National Youth Violin Competition. She has appeared as soloist with the Adelphi Orchestra, MSM Chamber Ensemble, and the Singapore Metropolitan Festival Orchestra. Her festival appearances include prestigious summer programs at Aspen, Tanglewood, Crans-Montana, and Keshet Eilon. Ms. Shi holds Master’s degrees from The Juilliard School and the Yale School of Music, as well as a Bachelor’s degree from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music in Singapore. Her principal teachers include Qian Zhou, Catherine Cho, Hyo Kang, Glenn Dicterow, and Lisa Kim. Dana Kelley – Assistant Principal Viola Praised for her rich and beautiful tone, violist Dana Kelley has been a top prizewinner in the Sphinx Music Competition, the Irving M. Klein International String Competition, the M-Prize Chamber Arts Competition, and the Concert Artists Guild Victor Elmaleh Competition. She is a member of the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra and the Orchestra of St. Luke’s Chamber Ensemble. Dana has also performed as guest principal viola of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra and as a member of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Dana received an Artist Diploma in String Quartet Studies from the Juilliard School, and was a Fellow in Ensemble Connect. She received her Bachelor’s of Music from the Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt University, and completed her Master’s of Music degree as student of Kim Kashkashian at the New England Conservatory. She serves on the viola faculty of the Mannes School of Music at The New School. Raymond Tsai – Assistant Principal Cello Alabama native Raymond Tsai joined the National Symphony Orchestra as Assistant Principal Cello in September 2025. Prior to the NSO, Raymond studied with Richard Aaron and pursued his bachelor's degree at the University of Michigan. Beginning cello studies at eight years old, Raymond aimed for a solo career before discovering his love of orchestra playing during fellowships at the Pacific and Tanglewood music festivals. Raymond has enjoyed working on a number of musical projects such as recordings of the 12 Piatti caprices, as well as premieres in collaboration with rising composers at the University of Michigan. Outside of classical music, Raymond enjoys athletic activities and noodling around on the guitar. Noah Krauss – Cello Noah Krauss joined the cello section of the National Symphony Orchestra in 2025. Prior to his appointment with the NSO, he was assistant principal cello of the Delaware Symphony Orchestra since 2023. Noah graduated from the Juilliard School after studying with Timothy Eddy and serving as co-principal cello of the Juilliard Orchestra. Krauss’s additional teachers and mentors include Irene Sharp, Melissa Kraut, and Dane Johansen. He has attended and performed at the Ravinia Steans Music Institute, Tanglewood Music Center, Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival, Taos School of Music, and has frequently performed with the Cleveland and Metropolitan Opera Orchestras as a substitute. Born in New York City to musical parents, Krauss studied piano and cello via the Suzuki method at the School for Strings and maintains an active life as a chamber musician on both cello and piano. Michail Thompson – Second Trumpet Trumpeter Michail Thompson has made his orchestral debuts with top ensembles including the London Symphony Orchestra, San Francisco Symphony, Opera, and Ballet, and was appointed to the National Symphony Orchestra as 2nd Trumpet by Gianandrea Noseda. Deeply involved in chamber music and solo projects, he has performed with the Canadian Brass, won the Vincent Bach Trumpet Competition, and been a finalist at the National Trumpet Competition. He has spent summers as a fellow at renowned institutions such as the Tanglewood Music Festival, Music Academy of the West, the Aspen Music Festival, and the National Orchestral Institute. He recently joined the Boston Symphony and Leipzig Gewandhaus Orchestra for a summer festival of Shostakovich’s music in Germany. Beyond the trumpet, Thompson is passionate about interdisciplinary collaborations with chefs that merge music with the culinary arts. He has also worked with poets, actors, singers, and visual artists to create concerts and projects that approach music with curiosity. He is a graduate of Rice University where he studied with Barbara Butler and the San Francisco Conservatory of Music as a student of Adam Luftman.