Sebastian Stöger, Guanliang Zong, and Caleb Edwards join the VSO.
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [September 3, 2025] Three New Musicians have joined the Virginia Symphony Orchestra starting in their 25/26 Season. New Principal Cello Sebastian Stöger, New Assistant Principal Viola Guanliang Zong and Section Bass Caleb Edwards. Also, as previously announced in March, this will be new Concertmaster Grace Park’s first full season with the VSO. All four will have their first performance at The VSO’s Opening Weekend, Tchaikovsky’s Fifth Symphony + Cellist Jan Vogler.
“We are thrilled to welcome Guanliang, Sebastian, and Caleb to the VSO family this season”, say Music Director Eric Jacobsen, The Macon and Joan Brock Chair. “Each of them brings not only extraordinary artistry but also a fresh perspective that will enrich the sound and spirit of our orchestra. I can’t wait for you to get to know them. And it’s also a joy to have Grace with us for her first full season; her presence alongside these new wonderful members makes this a particularly exciting year for the VSO!”
A native New Yorker, Sebastian Stöger, the new Elise Nusbaum Hofheimer Principal Cello Chair, made his solo debut at Seiji Ozawa Hall with the Empire State Youth Symphony, premiering Fabrizio Cassol Concerto for Solo Cello, Electronics, and Orchestra. He has performed the Dvorak Concerto with conductor Stephen Czarkowsky and the Central Pennsylvania Symphony, performed for President Biden at The White House as part of the St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon in March 2024, and in David Geffen Hall at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic. In the summer of 2024, he served as principal cellist of the League of Composers Orchestra in New York City and became a member of the Verbier Festival Orchestra in Switzerland. Other festival credits include the Pacific Music Festival in Sapporo, Japan, where he performed with members of the Vienna Philharmonic and Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, and the Kneisel Hall Chamber Music Festival in Blue Hill, Maine. Sebastian currently plays on a Gaetano Sgarabotto cello, generously loaned to him by Curtis Bryant Fine Cellos.
Guanliang Zong, a native of China, was the previous Assistant Principal Viola with the Lexington Philharmonic. Guanliang has also been a fellow at Aspen Music Festival and School and the Tanglewood Music Center, sitting alongside members from Boston Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, and Czech Philharmonic. An avid chamber musician, Guanliang is the founder and violist of the Eurus String Quartet. The ensemble garnered critical acclaim as the winner of the 2018 Beethoven Haus Competition and was appointed resident quartet at Indiana University in 2019. They were also invited as Featured Artists at the 2019 Chelsea Music Festival in New York City and earned recognition as semifinalists in the 2020 Fischoff National Chamber Music Competition. Further cementing their international presence, the quartet was invited for a residency at the Beethoven Haus in Bonn, Germany.
Caleb Edwards is an orchestral double bassist from Birmingham, Alabama, whose performances span distinguished ensembles and diverse musical genres. He began studying double bass at age nine through the Music Opportunity Program and later attended the Alabama School of Fine Arts, laying a strong foundation for his career. Caleb has performed with the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra as part of its prestigious fellowship program, the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, and the Columbus–Indiana Philharmonic.Caleb has participated in renowned festivals such as Domaine Forget, the Wabass Institute, Texas Music Festival, Brevard Music Center, and the National Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Music Institute, working closely with leading performers and pedagogues.
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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 Connie and Marc Jacobson Music Director Laureate JoAnn Falletta and 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.
