Michael Rusinek

Michael Rusinek joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as principal clarinet in 1998. He holds the Mr. & Mrs. Aaron Silberman Chair. Born in Toronto, Canada, his early studies were with Avrahm Galper at the Royal Conservatory of Music and he later attended the Curtis Institute of Music, studying with Donald Montanaro. Upon graduation, Rusinek served as assistant principal clarinet with the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. In addition to his position with the Pittsburgh Symphony, he has performed as principal clarinet with the orchestras of Philadelphia, St. Louis, The Royal Concertgebouw in Amsterdam, and The National Arts Center in Ottawa, Canada.

Michael Rusinek has performed as a recitalist across Canada, the United States, and Israel, as well as concerto soloist with many orchestras including appearances with the Czech Philharmonic, Concerto Classic Wien, Toronto Symphony, Belgrade Philharmonic, Grand Teton Music Festival Orchestra, Aspen Chamber Symphony, and the Symphony Orchestra of the Curtis Institute of Music. He has additionally been featured as a soloist with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra many times and, in May 2008, premiered a new concerto by composer Alan Fletcher that was commissioned for him by the orchestra. That performance was recorded and is available on the Exton label.

Rusinek has participated in numerous music festivals around the world including Internationale Wolfegger Konzerte (Germany), Instrumenta Verano (Mexico), Bay Chamber, Music in the Vineyards, New York's 92nd St. Y, and returns regularly to the Grand Teton, Santa Fe Chamber, and Marlboro music festivals. He has toured with the acclaimed "Musicians from Marlboro," and was featured on the Sony label celebrating Marlboro's 50th anniversary. In summer 2000, he performed as principal clarinet in the Super World Orchestra, an ensemble comprised of musicians from orchestras around the world. Dedicated to teaching, Michael Rusinek is a member of the faculties of Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, and the Aspen Music Festival and School in Aspen, Colorado. He has led master classes at some of the leading institutions around the world, including the Colburn Music School, the Manhattan School of Music, and the Conservatories in Toronto, Paris, Beijing, Shanghai, and Tianjin. He is a frequent guest at the New World Symphony in Miami, Florida and has served on the faculty of the Canton International Summer Music Academy in Canton, China, returning regularly to China to teach and perform. He often adjudicates competitions and appeared on the jury for the inaugural Jacques Lancelot International Clarinet Competition in Rouen France.

When he is not performing or teaching, you may often find him riding his bike, on the golf course or playing hockey in a non-contact league.

Nancy Goeres

Principal Bassoonist Nancy Goeres joined the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra in 1984. Prior to coming to Pittsburgh, Goeres held similar positions with the Florida Orchestra, the Caracas Philharmonic and the Cincinnati Symphony.

Goeres also serves on the faculties of Carnegie Mellon University and Boston University, and the music festivals of Aspen and Sarasota. In addition to her appearances with the Pittsburgh Symphony, Nancy Goeres has been a member of the All Star Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Schwartz, which produced a multi-disc set of recordings of major orchestral repertoire. She has also performed at leading festivals around the country including Tanglewood, Marlboro, La Jolla and Mainly Mozart festivals, New York's 92nd Street Y Series, Santa Fe Chamber Music Festival, Music in The Vineyards (CA) Philharmonic of the Americas, (Mexico City) Instrumental Verano, (Puebla, Mexico) and the Internationale Wolfegger Konzerte (Germany) Germany. She has also toured with Musicians from Marlboro.

Alan Fletcher's Concerto for Bassoon and Orchestra, commissioned by the Pittsburgh Symphony, was premiered by Goeres and conducted by Manfred Honeck in 2011. She subsequently performed the concerto with the Aspen Chamber Symphony in summer 2012. Also written for her, was Andre Previn's "Sonata for Bassoon", and premiered by her with the composer at the 92nd Street Y in New York. With Lorin Maazel and the Pittsburgh Symphony, Nancy Goeres premiered Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Bassoon Concerto, commissioned for her by the Pittsburgh Symphony. In addition to recording the Zwilich Concerto with the Pittsburgh Symphony and Lorin Maazel on the New World label, she has subsequently performed it with the Chamber Symphony of the Aspen Music Festival, with the Greenwich Village Orchestra, and at a conference of the International Double Reed Society. In 2004, she also performed the concerto and conducted master classes in Cuba with the Havana Symphony. Other concerto performances with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra include: Music from the Floating World, by David Ludwig, Haydn's Sinfonia concertante, John Williams' bassoon concerto, The Five Sacred Trees, and Mozart, Vivaldi and Rossini Bassoon Concertos.

An active teacher, Nancy Goeres has given master classes and recitals in Europe, Canada, Mexico, South America and returns frequently to China. In the United States, she often works with the students of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach, and, among others, has given classes at The Juilliard School, the Curtis Institute of Music, the Manhattan School of Music, Northwestern University, University of Michigan, Fresno State University, and has served as an adjudicator for the Meg Quigley Vivaldi and the IDRS Gillet Competitions.

A native of Lodi, Wisconsin, Goeres's principal teachers were Sherman Walt and Richard Lottridge. Goeres holds the Pittsburgh Symphony's Mr. & Mrs. William Genge and Mr. & Mrs. James E. Lee Principal Bassoon Chair. She has been a member of the board of directors of the Aspen Music Festival and also the Woodlands Foundation, whose mission is to enrich the lives of children and adults with disabilities.