L.A. Chamber Orchestra Concludes 2018 With News Of Principal Viola And Second Trumpet Appointments

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO), one of the nation's premier orchestras as well as a leader in presenting wide-ranging repertoire and adventurous commissions, appoints Erik Rynearson as Principal Viola and Erick Jovel as Second Trumpet, announces LACO's Music Director Designate Jaime Martín. Both musicians are Southern California natives and begin their new posts immediately.

"After screening dozens of exceptional candidates from around the country, it was a pleasure to discover that the winners were based right here in Los Angeles," says Martín. "Just as LACO's artists are celebrated for their virtuosity and individuality, the city has a reputation for having one of the greatest pools of musicians in the world."

Adds LACO Executive Director Scott Harrison, "With Jaime Martín's first appointments to the Orchestra, he builds upon LACO's reputation as a destination ensemble for world-class musicians, and Erik Rynearson and Erick Jovel uphold that tradition. Rynearson, at the top of the list whenever an ensemble needs a section leader or chamber musician, wowed LACO audiences and critics when he tackled the devilishly difficult principal viola part for Ligeti's Violin Concerto in November. Jovel's versatility has taken him from Disney Hall and collaborations with top Latin jazz and pop artists to the South Los Angeles teaching studios of EXPO Center Youth Orchestra."

Rynearson, who holds dual French and U.S. citizenship, has performed across the Americas and Europe. Principal violist of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and Santa Barbara's Symphony and Chamber Orchestra, he also substitutes with the Los Angeles Philharmonic and has been first call substitute with the Detroit and Phoenix symphonies. Previously a member of the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, he has performed with the Charleston and Kansas City symphonies as well. He holds a master's degree with performer's certificate from Indiana University, where he was the teaching assistant for Alan de Veritch. He was a fellow of the New World Symphony in Miami Beach for four years. Musically, Rynearson devoured Beethoven, Brubeck, Haydn and Prokofiev in childhood and savors the sounds of Berg, Berlioz, Cage, Daft Punk and Led Zeppelin. He owes his musical preparedness to his teachers Miwako Watanabe, Henryk Kowalski, Franco Gulli and Alan de Veritch. When not wielding his 1970 Alfio Batelli viola crafted for Jan Hlinka, Rynearson is an avid photographer.

Jovel, an active freelance musician versed in orchestral, jazz and commercial music, has performed with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Malaysian Philharmonic and Pacific Opera Project, among others, and appeared as featured soloist with The Capitol Ensemble, Masters University Wind Ensemble, Symphony Irvine, UCLA Philharmonia and UCLA Symphonic Band. He also performs with numerous international Latin artists, including Andy Montañez, Tony Vega, Yari Moré, Jungle Fire, Sonora Dinamita, Sonora Caliente and Orquesta Tabaco y Ron. Jovel has participated in the Banff All Star Brass Festival, where he performed with such world class musicians as Jens Lindemann, Ryan Anthony, Marty Hackleman, Mark Gould, Phil Snedicor, Alain Trudel, Alastair Kay and Pat Sheridan. He earned a bachelor's degree in music performance from CSUN under the mentorship of Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra Principal Trumpet David Washburn and a Master of Music degree from UCLA under the mentorship of Jens Lindemann. Currently pursuing his Doctoral of Musical Arts at USC's Thornton School of Music under the mentorship of Thomas Hooten, he is Professor of Trumpet at The Masters University and Loyola Marymount University and a Trumpet Teaching Artist for the Youth Orchestra Los Angeles (YOLA)/Harmony Project and the EXPO Center Youth Orchestra. He is the 2013 Kent Concerto Competition Winner.

Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) ranks among the world's top musical ensembles. Beloved by audiences and praised by critics, the Orchestra is known as a champion of contemporary composers, with eight ASCAP Awards for Adventurous Programming, as well as a preeminent interpreter of historical masterworks. Headquartered in the heart of the country's cultural capital, LACO has been proclaimed "America's finest chamber orchestra" (Public Radio International), "LA's most unintimidating chamber music experience" (Los Angeles magazine), "resplendent" (Los Angeles Times) and "one of the world's great chamber orchestras"(KUSC Classical FM). Performing throughout greater Los Angeles, the Orchestra presents orchestral, Baroque and chamber concerts, as well as salon evenings in private spaces and unique experiences that explore classical music's cutting-edge sounds. LACO's long history of educational outreach encompasses programs integral to its mission of nurturing future musicians and composers as well as inspiring a love of classical music. Jaime Martín, praised as "a visionary conductor, discerning and meticulous" (Platea Magazine), is LACO's Music Director Designate and takes the podium as Music Director in the 2019-20 season.

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