Bozeman Symphony Welcomes Six New Musicians for the 2026-27 Season
Top, left to right: Edith Samuelsson and Nicole Smith
Bottom, left to right: Sarah Francis and Sam Spottiswoode
Bozeman, Mont. – The Bozeman Symphony and Music Director Norman Huynh are pleased to welcome six outstanding musicians to the orchestra for its 2026–27 season, Music that Moves Us . . . Near and Far.
Following a national audition process, Elizabeth Overweg has been appointed Associate Concertmaster. Also selected from the national audition process are violinists Sarah Francis, Beckett Koch, and Edith Samuelsson; violist Nicole Smith; and cellist Sam Spottiswoode.
"We are delighted to welcome these exceptional musicians to the Bozeman Symphony," said Music Director Norman Huynh. "Their talents will strengthen our orchestra and help us create inspiring performances that connect audiences through the power of live music."
Overweg, of Bozeman, performs with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and has appeared with orchestras across the country. An accomplished soloist, educator, and award-winning violinist, she earned a Master of Music in Performance from the University of Nevada, Reno.
Francis, of Ogden, Utah, previously performed as a substitute violinist with the Bozeman Symphony and has also appeared with the University of Utah Philharmonic Orchestra and the Salt Lake Choral Artists. Her performance experience spans opera, chamber music, and summer music festivals. She earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Utah.
Koch, of Billings, has been a tenured violinist with the Billings Symphony Orchestra since 2015. His career also includes teaching violin in Connecticut and Maine and performing as a section violinist with orchestras in Connecticut and Michigan. He earned a bachelor's degree in Violin Performance from the University of Hartford in West Hartford, Connecticut.
Samuelsson, of Chicago, serves as ensembles assistant at DePaul University and as an account manager and instrument technician for StringWorks. She performed with the DePaul University Symphony Orchestra, DePaul Concert Orchestra, and the Wheaton College Symphony Orchestra. Samuelsson earned a Master of Music degree in Violin Performance from DePaul University.
Smith, of Ogden, Utah, previously performed as a substitute violist with the Bozeman Symphony and served as a section violist with the Helena Symphony. She has also toured and performed with orchestras throughout the western United States. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Music Education from the College of Idaho.
Spottiswoode, of Bozeman, serves as assistant principal cello of the Montana State University Symphony Orchestra and has performed with the Bozeman Symphony, Opera Montana, and the MSU String Quartet. He is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Music at Montana State University and expects to graduate in 2027.
The Bozeman Symphony opens its 2026–27 season on September 12 and 13 with Revolution & Revelry: Shostakovich 5. Tickets are available at bozemansymphony.org or by calling 406-585-9774. Adult tickets start at $30, with discounted pricing available for students. Tickets purchased at the door are subject to availability.
August 10, 2026
Contact: Peggy Stebbins
Office: 406.585.9774
peggy@bozemansymphony.org