Three New Musicians will be joining the VSO for the 25/26 Season in the Professional Development for Early-Career, Underrepresented Musicians Fellowship Program.
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [July 14, 2025] The Virginia Symphony Orchestra will welcome its fourth class of Fellows for the VSO Fellowship Program: Professional Development for Early-Career, Underrepresented Musicians this fall. New Fellows: Alyssa Estrella, clarinet; Carlos Lozano, viola; and Jalayne Mitchell, cello will join the VSO for its 2025-2026 Season and perform across the Hampton Roads region.
“We are so excited about our new Fellows, Alyssa, Jalayne and Carlos! Not only are they fabulous musicians, but they exude positive energy and excitement for learning and performing” says VSO Director of Education and Staff Conductor Helen Martell. “The Fellowship provides the opportunity for early career musicians to be embraced by a professional orchestra. The collaboration with ODU and the activities in our schools and throughout our community also has long term impact. Elementary and middle school students as well as ODU music students are inspired by chamber music performances, residency coaching, and sectionals that they provide as part of their fellowship. It is a winning program in many ways, and we welcome Alyssa, Jalayne, and Carlos into the Virginia Symphony Orchestra!”
Partnered with Old Dominion University, the fellowship is a continuation of the VSO’s commitment to creating extraordinary musical experiences with and for their entire community. The Fellows produce chamber shows, mentor local school kids, and host a Capstone project for the community. The Fellows also participate in small ensemble educational concerts for elementary school students, various community concerts, and an assortment of media appearances to help them succeed in their careers as performers and educators.
In addition to performing and teaching, while in Virginia the Fellows will have several professional development opportunities, including private instrument instruction, mock auditions, and mentorship with VSO musicians.
“Looking back, it was truly one of the most enriching experiences of my life” says 24/25 Fellow Jafet Díaz Martin. “From the very beginning, it was a major challenge. I was navigating personal difficulties, far from home in Panama, and even dealing with an unexpected acne flare-up at 26 that made playing my instrument physically and mentally difficult at times. But despite the discomfort, I pushed through and did my best to fulfill my responsibilities. For that, I’m incredibly grateful…Virginia welcomed me with open arms. I met amazing people, shared music with inspiring musicians, and lived the dream of sitting in a professional U.S. orchestra for a full year. The lessons I’ve learned and the personal growth I’ve experienced are truly beyond words.”
Learn more about the VSO Fellowship Program at https://virginiasymphony.org/about-the-fellowship/
—
Alyssa Estrella will be joining the VSO having just graduated with a master’s degree from Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music. She previously earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Music from the prestigious Eastman School of Music in 2023. Alyssa has extensive audition and performance experience, having served as a substitute musician with the New World Symphony since 2022. Ms. Estrella has also participated in chamber music concerts with the Society for Chamber Music in Rochester. A dedicated and recognized performer, Alyssa was awarded the Most Outstanding Instrumentalist in the Sphinx Orchestral Partners Auditions (SOPA) competition in 2025. Her early achievements include winning 3rd place in the International Clarinet Association’s High School Solo Competition in 2019 and being a finalist in the Eastman School of Music’s Concerto Competition the same year.
Carlos Lozano, born in Veracruz, Mexico, started violin lessons at a young age. He attended Andrews University in Michigan completing a B.M. in Violin Performance and started viola lessons with Claudio Gonzalez while in attendance. Carlos went on to Western Michigan University, where he completed a Masters in Viola Performance, studying under Igor Fedotov. He recently completed a Masters and Performance Certificate in Orchestral Studies at Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts. Carlos has been a substitute with the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, and has performed with the Artosphere Festival Orchestra. Carlos is a member of the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra, West Michigan Symphony and most recently the Northwest Indiana Symphony Orchestra.
Jalayne Mitchell is a dynamic American cellist whose work spans performance, pedagogy, and advocacy, uniting artistic excellence with a deep commitment to social impact. Currently pursuing her Master’s degree in Cello Performance at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University under the mentorship of renowned pedagogue Norman Fischer, she previously earned her bachelor’s degree with honors from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, where she was recognized with the prestigious Principal’s Award of Excellence in 2022. Jalayne’s orchestral experience includes performances with leading ensembles such as the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and Glasgow Barons Chamber Orchestra. She also served as principal cellist of the COP26 Climate Conference Symphony Orchestra, a landmark cultural event aligning music with global sustainability efforts.
###
As the region’s most celebrated musical, educational, and entrepreneurial arts organization, the Virginia Symphony Orchestra continues to challenge expectations and push the boundaries of what an American orchestra can be. Innovation and excellence are at the heart of the VSO’s narrative. The VSO has received national attention for its unique mission serving a home area of 1.7 million across the diverse communities of southeastern Virginia. Through appearances at the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall and its commitment to adventurous programming, the VSO and its musicians have been highlighted in the media including The New York Times, The Washington Post, National Public Radio, and BBC Worldwide News.
As the largest performing arts organization in southeastern Virginia, the VSO and VSO Chorus present more than 150 concerts and events annually for more than 100,000 residents and visitors. Since 2019, the VSO has been recognized nationally for striving to reflect the region’s ethnic and racial diversity in its members, programming, and leadership. The Virginia Symphony Orchestra’s Fellowship Program for up to 4 early-career, underrepresented orchestral musicians work to advance the goal of increased diversity of orchestral musicians nationwide. This initiative is a continuation of the VSO’s commitment to creating extraordinary musical experiences with and for our entire community.
Celebrating his fifth year, Music Director Eric Jacobsen, The Macon and Joan Brock Chair, continues to expand the VSO’s vision to attract wider and larger audiences with engaging concert experiences and creative and relevant programming. Rounding out the artistic leadership team is Norfolk native Thomas Wilkins in the role of Principal Guest Conductor, reflecting the VSO’s commitment to tell its community’s stories and advance the important conversations that will promote understanding and belonging among all residents.
