Three New Fellows Join the VSO for the 26-27 Season this Fall.
The VSO Professional Development for Early-Career, Underrepresented Musicians Fellowship is now in its fifth year.
HAMPTON ROADS, VA [August 13, 2026] The Virginia Symphony Orchestra is proud to welcome its fifth class of Fellows, Cellist Miguel Fuentes, Violinist Manuel Mendes, and Flutist Rafael Méndez, for the VSO Fellowship Program: Professional Development for Early-Career, Underrepresented Musicians. The program is one of only 20 across the country dedicated to nurturing and developing emerging musicians from underrepresented backgrounds and is an extension of the VSO’s continued efforts to advance the goal of increased diversity of orchestral musicians nationwide.
“The VSO Fellowship program is now in its fifth season, and I am excited to welcome our newest cohort of Fellows,” says Director of Education and Staff Conductor Helen Martell. “They bring an exceptional level of professionalism, artistry, and unique life experiences to the Virginia Symphony and the Hampton Roads community.”
The VSO is proud to continue their partnership with Old Dominion University for the fellowship program. While performing with the VSO, fellows continue their education by taking university-level course credits at ODU that can be applied to their degree. In the fall, fellows will produce educational chamber music shows to perform in elementary schools and other public spaces across the region in the spring. They will mentor local students while participating in the VSO’s School/Orchestra Artistic Residencies (SOAR) program and produce a capstone project for the community. The fellows will also receive several professional development opportunities, including private instrument instruction, mock auditions, and mentorship with VSO musicians to help them succeed in their careers as performers and educators.
“This year’s class is truly international,” says Martell, “Our cellist, Miquel Fuentes, studied in Spain and was a semifinalist in this year’s Sphinx Competition. Our violinist, Manuel Mendes, was born in Venezuela and began his musical journey through the renowned El Sistema program. Our flutist, Rafael Méndez, began his flute studies in the Dominican Republic and is currently participating in the Aspen Music Festival. — Together, these remarkable musicians represent the diversity, talent, and dedication that define the VSO Fellowship program. We look forward to the artistry they will share with our audiences and the connections they will build throughout our community”.
Miquel Fuentes is a cellist who just graduated in May 2026 with his Master’s degree at Northwestern University, studying with Hans Jensen. He is a finalist for Sphinx SOPA competition, semifinalist of the 28th Sphinx Competition and a first prize winner of the X Concurso de Cordas “Cidade de Vigo.” Fuentes made his solo debut with Antoni Ros Marbà at L’Auditori de Barcelona performing Montsalvatge’s El Cant dels Ocells, and has been recognized as a Pau Casals International Award Finalist with an honorary distinction. He has performed internationally including the Mahler Chamber Orchestra Academy, Saline Royal Academy with Frans Helmerson.
Manuel Mendes is a violinist whose artistry has been forged by two worlds, deeply human experiences, and a career-long pursuit of music as a force for connection. Born in Caracas, Venezuela, Manuel began his musical journey through El Sistema, taking up the violin at four and developing his craft within that tradition for over a decade. In 2013, Manuel was selected as a member of the National Children’s Symphony Orchestra of Venezuela for a performance at the Salzburg Festival, conducted by Sir Simon Rattle. He has also performed with the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, and served as Concertmaster of the Conductor’s Institute of South Carolina in 2025. Manuel earned his Master of Music in Violin Performance from the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University, studying with Herbert Greenberg, and his Bachelor of Music from Lynn University, where he studied with Elmar Oliveira.
Rafael Méndez began his flute studies in Barahona, Dominican Republic, and soon after continued his training under the guidance of Alaima González at the Conservatorio Nacional de Música in Santo Domingo. He later continued his education at the Frost School of Music in Miami, Florida, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 2024, studying with Jennifer Grim. He recently completed his Master of Music degree at the Yale School of Music under the mentorship of Tara O’Connor. Rafael has received numerous awards, including First Prize in the NYFC Young Artist Competition (2026) and First Prize in the FFA Nancy Clew Ellert Young Artist Competition (2026). He is also a recipient of the Graduate Presser Award (2025), the Burkart Resona Piccolo Award (2022), and the Gemeinhardt Galway Crusader Silver Flute Award at the Galway Flute Festival (2019). In 2024, he was a semifinalist in the prestigious Young Concert Artists Competition, and in 2026 he was selected as a quarterfinalist in the National Flute Association Young Artist Competition.
The program’s fifth season is funded by the Hampton Roads Community Foundation, the Goode Family Foundation, and an Old Dominion University grant through the state of Virginia. Previous fellows have accepted positions and additional fellowships at numerous organizations, including the Philharmonic Orchestra of the National Autonomous University of Mexico, Virginia Symphony Orchestra, The Orchestra Now, New World Symphony, and Billings Symphony. The third class of fellows were also highlighted in the 2025 WHRO Documentary, Virginia Symphony Orchestra Fellows: Orchestrating Change, currently streaming on PBS and WHRO+.
Applications for the 2027-2028 fellowship program will open this November. More information can be found at www.virginiasymphony.org/fellowship.
