Bozeman Symphony Welcomes Five New Musicians

Left to right: Michael Dolin, Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Jihye Sung, Lina Saleh, and Chelsea Lind

Bozeman, Mont. – The Bozeman Symphony and Music Director Norman Huynh is excited to welcome five talented new section musicians for its 2024-25 concert season, Music that moves us.

Following national auditions held this spring, Jodi Allison-Bunnell, Viola; Michael Dolin, Associate Principal/2nd Trombone; Chelsea Lind, Violin; Lina Saleh, Principal Second Violin; and Jihye Sung, Violin; have been selected to join the symphony.

“We are thrilled to welcome these musicians to the Bozeman Symphony,” said Huynh. “I look forward to making music with all our musicians this fall, as I begin my fifth season as Music Director. Our musicians are at the center of our organization, they define the Symphony and our work.”

Violist Allison-Bunnell of Bozeman is the Head of Archives and Special Collections at Montana State University Library. True to her profession, she has programs for every concert she has played or attended since 1984. In 2022, she was named a Distinguished Fellow of the Society of American Archivists, the highest honor in the Society. Allison-Bunnell completed a dual degree program in library and information science and American history at the University of Maryland College Park and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English summa cum laude with a minor in music from Whitman College. The violist also played in the Missoula Symphony for 23 years. She, her husband, Steven, and their child Wren enjoy Bozeman's outdoors by hiking and cross-country skiing. They also enjoy reading funny things to one another, cooking good food, spoiling their cats, and listening to various podcasts.

Dolin is a trombonist based in Santa Barbara, Calif. He is also a member of The San Luis Obispo Symphony and South Dakota Symphony Orchestra. His previous orchestral experience includes the American Youth Symphony and Debut Chamber Orchestra, both in Los Angeles. When not in the orchestra, Michael can be found playing with the Santa Barbara Trombone Society, or on the drum set with his band, SoLuna, in Carpinteria.

A Bozeman native, Lind, who has been enchanting audiences with the Symphony since January 2024, is officially joining the violin section. This season, she’s excited to perform Korngold’s Violin Concerto featuring the talented Will Hagen. A recent graduate of Brigham Young University with a bachelor’s degree in Violin Performance, Lind’s musical journey is as diverse as it is impressive. From Ballet and Opera to Baroque Ensembles and private teaching, her experiences have shaped her into a versatile and passionate musician. Notably, she served as Concertmaster for three years at Montana All-State, earned the All-Northwest honor, and led the Montana Youth Symphony as Concertmaster in 2023. Her tours in Europe in 2018 and 2022, along with her work as a contract violinist with the Great Falls and Glacier symphonies, highlight her dedication and skill. Lind’s love for music started early, inspired by her mother, Principal Cellist Chandra Lind. She fondly remembers her early days begging to play the “baby cello.” When she’s not performing, the violinist explores her artistic side as a professional artist and enjoys nurturing her collection of houseplants.

Saleh of Los Angeles is a committed violinist with a deep appreciation for orchestral performance. From her early days in youth orchestras to her current roles in professional ensembles, Saleh has always been drawn to the unique energy and collaboration found in orchestral settings. She has had the privilege of performing with a wide range of ensembles, including the Santa Monica Symphony, the California Young Artists Symphony where she has served as Assistant Concertmaster, and the California State University-Northridge Symphony Orchestra & Operas where she led as Concertmaster. Saleh began studying the violin at the age of 12. Over the years, she has played with the American Youth Symphony, San Luis Obispo Symphony, San Fernando Valley Symphony, and several other orchestras. The violinist holds a Master of Music in Violin Performance from California State University at Northridge and a Bachelor of Music from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Saleh currently manages a private studio of over 20 students, as well as 15 students at Lauren Deutsch’s studio. She enjoys her cat Leo, being outside, live music, reading, and trying new restaurants.

Sung of Bozeman performs regularly with the Montana Chamber Music Society and String Orchestra of the Rockies. She served as an instructor of violin, viola, and chamber music at Montana State University. Jihye was previously a Bozeman Symphony sectional violinist, principal second violinist, and guest associate concertmaster. Now an official member of the Symphony, she is especially looking forward to working with fellow musicians and sharing musical experiences with the Bozeman community. Originally from South Korea, Jihye was introduced to the violin by her parents at age six. Her musical training began at the Sunhwa Art School in Seoul and continued through her high school years in Sydney, Australia. Jihye earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the Manhattan School of Music in New York. Outside of the music world, Jihye devotes her time to her two daughters, Eunice and Esther, and her husband Wonki who teaches classical saxophone at MSU. 

“We are always thrilled to welcome exceptional new musicians to our orchestra,” said Jacob Blaser, Executive Director of the Bozeman Symphony. “Their contributions not only elevate the quality of our performances on stage but also enable us to bring meaningful and transformative musical experiences to our entire community.”

The 2024-25 season opens the weekend of September 21 with Rachmaninoff’s Concerto No. 3. Individual tickets are available at www.bozemansymphony.org or by calling 406-585-9774. Tickets at the door are based on availability. Adult tickets start as low as $29 and student-discounted tickets are available.

August 26, 2024
Contact: Peggy Stebbins
Office: 406.585.9774
peggy@bozemansymphony.org