Founded in 1991 by Music Director Daniel Spalding, the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra is dedicated to enriching lives through the transformative power of classical music. Our mission is to inspire, uplift, and educate diverse audiences by redefining classical performance. We blend traditional chamber orchestra repertoire with innovative interpretations and lesser-known works.
From our debut in Hightstown, New Jersey, to prestigious venues like New York’s Lincoln Center and Moscow’s Tchaikovsky Hall, we have maintained high artistic standards and a commitment to community engagement. Our performances and recordings, such as the Grammy-nominated Bizet/Shchedrin Carmen Ballet, have garnered international acclaim and numerous accolades.
Today, as we continue our fourth decade, we are proud to have reached over 90,000 people through more than 200 concerts. The Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra remains a vibrant part of the cultural landscape, supported by esteemed institutions such as the National Endowment for the Arts and the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, alongside generous private donors.
As a registered Non-Profit 501(c)(3) organization, we invite you to join us in our mission. Your support ensures that we continue to deliver passionate and innovative musical experiences that captivate and educate our audience.
About the Orchestra
Meet the Orchestra
Daniel Spalding
Music Director
Daniel Spalding is a renowned conductor whose career spans prestigious international and domestic stages. He has led performances at major venues like New York’s Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, Moscow's Tchaikovsky Hall, and the Mariinsky Concert Hall in Saint Petersburg. His collaborations include significant engagements with the London Symphony Orchestra, the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra, and the National Russian Philharmonic, with acclaimed recordings for labels such as Naxos and Ariel Records.
Previously, Spalding served as the Music Director of the Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey. His recordings have earned international accolades, including selections as Gramophone’s “Editor’s Choice” and top CDs of the year by the Chicago Tribune and the London Observer.
Educated at Northwestern University with additional studies at the University of Illinois and abroad, Spalding has held faculty positions and has been active in conducting master classes worldwide. His innovative projects include conducting master classes in Uganda and leading the Global Music Partnership All-Star Orchestra at New York's Carnegie Hall.
Dr. Dennis Krasnokutsky
Managing Director
Principal Viola
A seasoned orchestral and chamber player, Dr. Dennis Krasnokutsky has performed with many orchestras around the nation including Reno Philharmonic, Baton Rouge Symphony, and the Bay-Atlantic Symphony. As a member of the award winning Rowan String Quartet, Mr. Krasnokutsky toured the East Coast. For the past 10 years, he has been performing with the internationally acclaimed Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra with whom he has toured North and South America and Europe. Dennis is also Managing Director of the Philadelphia Virtuosi. His playing has been lauded for its “passion and intensity,” by the New York Times.
Russel Kotcher
Concertmaster
Violinist Russell Kotcher has appeared as soloist in Munich, the Bodensee Festival, and Carnegie Hall. In 2013 he recorded with Naxos as concertmaster and soloist with the Chamber Orchestra of New York where he currently serves as the concertmaster. He is also violinist and pianist of the improvisational trio Murmuration, who recently received a grant from with Philadelphia Composers Forum to record their first album.
Xuan Yao
Principal Second Violin
Violinist Xuan Yao, based in Philadelphia, performs with the Bay-Atlantic Symphony, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, and Symphony in C. She also appears with the Baltimore Symphony, Princeton Symphony, and Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia. Xuan has played at international festivals like Mozarteum Salzburg and iPalpiti LA. Born in Changsha, China, Xuan began violin at age five and studied at the Central Conservatory in Beijing. She earned her Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctorate from Temple University on a full scholarship under Professor Eduard Schmieder. She is now pursuing a Professional Performance Diploma at the Manhattan School of Music with Koichiro Harada and Lucie Robert.
Jennifer Jie Jin
Principal Cello
Ms. Jin has performed in major music capitals across North America, Europe, and Asia, has played with esteemed orchestras like the Houston Symphony and New World Symphony. She's participated in prestigious U.S. festivals such as Aspen, Ravinia and internationally in Europe. As founder of the Tang-gu-la String Quartet, she achieved acclaim, notably in Isaac Stern’s "From Mao to Mozart," and performed for President Bill Clinton. Currently, she is the cellist of the Pyxis Piano Trio, Copeland String Quartet, and Delaware Symphony. Passionate about music education, Ms. Jin directs the Pennsylvania Youth Orchestra, honored with the Ovation Award for her leadership. She holds degrees from the Cleveland Institute of Music, Rice University, and Shanghai Conservatory of Music.
Taisiya Losmakova
Violin
Born in Brest, Belarus, Taisiya started playing violin at age 4. She studied at the Belarusian State Academy of Music, becoming a laureate of competitions and performing with the Belarusian State Philharmonic. She served as Principal Second Violin of the Academy's Chamber Orchestra and joined "Classic-Avantgarde." In 2019, she joined the Presidential Orchestra of Belarus, becoming Concertmaster in 2020.
In 2021, Taisiya moved to the USA to study with Professor Eduard Schmieder at Temple University, earning her MM in Performance in 2024. She collaborates with ensembles like Manhattan Opera Studio and Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra and has performed at Lincoln Center and Kimmel Center. She was featured on Nina Siniakova's album "Frozen Reflections."
Olga Turkina
Violin
Olga Turkina is an Eastman School of Music Graduate in Violin performance and has competed internationally and won numerous awards. Olga grew up in a musical family in Mexico where she began to play violin when she was 8 and by the time she was 12 she was already performing as a soloist with numerous orchestras.
She has participated in numerous festivals throughout Europe and USA. Currently Olga resides on Long Island, NY, where she is an active concert violinist, teacher, and member of various orchestras throughout the Tri-State area and PA.
NY Music Entertainment and Olga’s performances leave her clients fulfilled and with unforgettable memories.
Robert Peterson
Principal Bass
In June 1973, Bob began studying double bass under Big Band Bassist Howard (Cookie) Cook. He holds degrees in performing and education from the University of the Arts, Philadelphia. Bob is Principal Bass for Bohéme Opera of New Jersey, Capital Philharmonic of New Jersey, and has performed with the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra. He also serves as Assistant Principal Bass for Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea and previously with the American Ballet Orchestra. Bob's mentors include Robert Cerulli, Neil Courtney, Homer Mensch, George Vance, and François Rabbath. He has toured globally with orchestras, visiting Australia (1981), UK (1983), China and Hong Kong (1985), Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil (1987), Czech Republic, Austria (2003, 2018), South Korea (2007), Germany, Netherlands (2013), and Italy (2014).
Michael Stanley
Viola
A native of Philadelphia, studied viola performance at the Cleveland Institute of Music. He has played with many ensembles across the Greater Philadelphia and Northeast Ohio regions, including The Philadelphia Orchestra, the No Name Pops, Symphony in C, the New Brunswick Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Opera Theater, and the Canton (OH) and Akron (OH) Symphony Orchestras. His main instructors include Renard Edwards, Stanley Konopka, and Kerri Ryan.
Sergei Panov
Violin
Violinist, author, and educator Sergei Panov wishes to instill a love of music, self-expression, and self-realization through his performance and education. Serving as the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra, Sergei has traveled extensively on tours as a violinist and has published books on violin and string education, selling worldwide. He earned his Bachelor of Music degree in violin performance at Temple University under the late Helen Kwalwasser's guidance and served as the concertmaster of the Philadelphia Youth Orchestra under the late Joseph Primavera.
Sendi Vartanovi
Violin
Armenian/Georgian violinist based in Philadelphia, PA, and a winner of numerous prestigious national and international awards. She performs as a solo and chamber violinist at notable venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts, the Academy of Music Ballroom, and Opera America. Since 2021, she has been a member of the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra.
Jeffry Jacob
Composer in Residence
Described by the Warsaw Music Journal as “unquestionably one of the greatest performers of 20th century music,” and the New York Times as “an artist of intense concentration and conviction,” Jeffrey Jacob, educated at Juilliard (MM) and Peabody (Doctorate), debuted with the London Philharmonic and has soloed with over 25 orchestras. He has composed five symphonies, three piano concertos, and numerous chamber works. His Symphony: Winter Lightning premiered by Raymond Leppard, and the London Symphony recorded his Symphony No. 3.