Adriana Ransom, cello

Adriana La Rosa Ransom is Professor and Director of the School of Music at Illinois State University where she taught cello for fourteen years. As a faculty member, she was awarded the University Outstanding Teacher Award and the University Outstanding Service Award; she is also a recipient of the Illinois American String Teachers Association Distinguished Service Award. Dr. Ransom received performance degrees from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Minnesota.  Currently Principal Cellist of the Peoria Symphony Orchestra, she formerly was a member of the Minnesota Opera Orchestra, the St. Cloud Symphony (MN), the European Musical Festival Orchestra (Germany), and the Sinfonia da Camera (IL).

Andrew Port, oboe

New York native Andrew Port is a Second Year Fellow with the Civic Orchestra of Chicago for the 2023-2024 season. In the past year, he has performed regularly as Second Oboe with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, and appeared as Guest Principal Oboe with the Peoria Symphony. Prior to moving to Chicago, Andrew appeared as a regular substitute with the San Francisco Symphony, both as Principal Oboe and Second Oboe during their 2021-2022 season, and has also performed alongside the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood on Parade. Throughout his career, Andrew has collaborated alongside artists such as Emanuel Ax, Yo-Yo Ma, Midori Gotō, John Williams, and more.

Sarah Carrillo, trumpet

Sarah Carrillo, a native of Massachusetts, spent much of her early life studying with members of the Boston Symphony, both in Boston and at Tanglewood.  Upon completion of her bachelors degree from Boston University where she studied with the legendary Roger Voisin, she came to Chicago to attend Northwestern University, from which she received her masters degree. Sarah has performed with many groups in the Chicago area, including: Chicago Symphony, Peoria Symphony, Northbrook Symphony, The Chicago Arts Orchestra, Elmhurst Symphony, Brass Works Brass Quintet, Northside Brass, International Chamber Artists, Chicago Symphonietta, South Bend Symphony, Highland Park Strings, and Northwest Indiana Symphony.  She has also performed with the Gulbenkian Funducao Orchestra of Lisbon, Portugal, the Boston Symphony, and the New World Symphony.  She and her husband Oto Carrillo, a member of the Chicago Symphony’s fabulous french horn section, have two children who also play trumpet and french horn.

David Nakazono, trumpet

David Nakazono is a sought-after musician and teacher in Chicago and beyond. The opportunity to study with Mark Ridenour (Chicago Symphony), Neal Berntsen (Pittsburgh Symphony), and Esteban Batallán (Chicago Symphony) at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University convinced David to abandon life in beautiful Santa Barbara, California and trek across the country to the City by the Lake, Chicago. Since graduating with his Masters of Music in Orchestral Studies from Roosevelt University in 2019, David Nakazono has won positions with the Peoria Symphony, Wisconsin Philharmonic, Lakeview Orchestra, South Loop Symphony Orchestra, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago. He performs with several local and national ensembles including the Illinois Symphony, Fort Wayne Philharmonic, National Repertory Orchestra, Connexion Band, and is a substitute with the Chicago Philharmonic, Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and the Lyric Opera of Chicago.

Concert Sponsors & Underwriters

Sid & Flo Banwart

The Meredith Foundation

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.