The PSIPC Festival Orchestra is comprised of top-tier professional musicians from the Pacific Symphony and surrounding areas. Their commitment to supporting the next generation of pianists is evident in their extraordinary performances, showcasing the high level of professionalism that defines PSIPC.
Together, their contribution elevates both the competition and the musical community at large.
Peter Wilson is an engaging and multifaceted violinist, conductor, arranger, and composer, whose artistry has been noted as “first-class” by The Washington Post. He is the former senior enlisted music advisor to The White House, where he led countless ensembles and performed as a Marine violinist for 30 years in direct support of five Presidents.
Peter currently serves as Music Director of the Richmond Philharmonic and The American Prize-winning Waynesboro Symphony Orchestras in Virginia as well as Artistic Director and Conductor of the American Festival Pops Orchestra in the National Capital Region. He began his career as Concertmaster of the Walt Disney World Orchestra, has conducted the National Symphony and National Gallery of Art Orchestras, and holds degrees from Northwestern and Catholic University, where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts. Peter has soloed in unique venues including the Presidential Retreat at Camp David, the Vatican, and Carnegie Hall.
He has appeared as soloist with legends Rosemary Clooney, Renée Fleming, and Bernadette Peters and performed the Theme from “Schindler’s List” at The Kennedy Center under the baton of Academy Award-winning film composer John Williams, who hailed Peter as “a brilliant musical artist.” A Cleveland native, he began studying violin at age two, later moving to Morgantown, West Virginia, where he became the first musician ever to receive the Governor’s Award for Exceptional Achievement in the Arts. Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia national music fraternity honored Peter with its prestigious “Signature Sinfonian” award for his “outstanding commitment and dedication to the performing arts while serving as a successful role model.” The Strad magazine encapsulated his performances best, stating “[Wilson] made music that had the stamp of quality.”
For further information, visit PeterWilsonMusician.com.
Remarked in the Boston Globe for his mesmerizing performance, Canadian pianist Dr. Barry Tan serves as Assistant Professor of Piano, Theory, and Chamber Music at Pepperdine University, Seaver College in Malibu California, and enjoys a multifaceted career as an active soloist, collaborative artist, and educator based in Los Angeles.
He has performed as a soloist with the Vancouver Metropolitan Orchestra, the University of Southern California Symphony Orchestra, and has had collaborative performances alongside members of the LA Phil, LA Opera Orchestra, and LA Master Chorale. Barry has performed at notable venues such as Weill Recital Hall at Carnegie Hall, the Tanglewood Music Center, the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco, the Chan Center for the Performing Arts in Vancouver, BC, in addition to numerous chamber music and festival appearances throughout Southern California. His featured performances include appearances on IPR Radio WIAA 98.7FM, the BSO-Now streaming, as well as the Violin Channel.
In previous years, Barry has served as an official pianist for two editions of the Primrose International Viola Competition held at the Colburn School, where he continues to serve throughout the school year as a staff pianist. He earned graduate degrees from the University of Southern California and McGill University.
