Strings Department Celebrates Celebrate Prestigious Symphony Wins from Alumni
Zhenwei Shi is now the Principal Violist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Isabel Tannenbaum Assistant Principal Viola of the Phoenix Symphony, and Daniel Tan moved up in the Auckland Philharmonia.
From left: Daniel Tan, Isabel Tannenbaum, and Zhenwei Shi.
SFCM's Strings Department has a hat trick of talented alumni job wins this spring.
2019 graduate Zhenwei Shi, a student of Dimitri Murrath, is the new Principal Violist of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra (PSO). PSO is a world-renowned, GRAMMY-winning ensemble with over 120 years of history, currently led by Music Director Manfred Honeck. Known for artistic excellence, the 101-member orchestra performs classical, popular, and film-score concerts, championing both new American works and traditional repertoire. Shi also serves as Principal Violist of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, and joins SFCM violin grad Vivian Ling ('22) and English horn grad Tim Daniels ('18) in Pittsburgh.
Shining bright in the valley of the sun is graduate Isabel Tannenbaum who has joined the Phoenix Symphony. Winning her role as Assistant Principal Viola was one of her last in a string of auditions, she explained. "I approached it like I did any of the others: lots of deliberate practice, mental preparation, and absolutely no expectation," she said, making her win "the most pleasant surprise!" 2017 grad Harry Gonzalez (Associate Principal Trombone) is already representing the Conservatory in Phoenix as well.
At SFCM, Tannenbaum's musical journey was unique: She graduated in 2023 with a Master of Music in Violin and went on to earn an Artist Diploma in String and Piano Chamber Music in 2025, concentrating on viola. "SFCM absolutely gave me a supportive environment of colleagues and teachers whether I was getting those flawed runs out of my system or playing at my peak," Tannenbaum said. At SFCM she studied with Murrath and Simon James and adds, "I owe much of my audition success to the environment and mentors that I had at SFCM."
Four faculty members and about 20 students make up SFCM's Viola department. Studio sizes are kept small, ensuring performance opportunities and tailored instruction for every student.
@sfconservmusic 👏 Bravo to viola student @itannenbaum622, a 2023 SFCM concerto competition winner #classicalmusic #orchestra #violin #viola #violist #violinist ♬ original sound - SFCM
Meanwhile, Daniel Tan wasted no time after his graduation in 2025, winning the position of Rotating Tutti Violin with the Auckland Philharmonia in August and starting in October. He wasted even less time moving up in the ensemble, auditioning for Sub-Principal Second Violin (4th Chair) in November, a few weeks after his start date, and, having won that, will begin his new role in April. While at SFCM, Tan studied with Kay Stern and Cordula Merks.
For Tannenbaum, stepping into a symphony spot so soon after graduation has been an exciting challenge. "One of my favorite parts of this job is how involved the symphony is in community service. Nearly every week I get to perform chamber music for those around Phoenix and the valley, oftentimes with fellow SFCM alum Bridget Pasker! That work is incredibly meaningful and rewarding."
Tannenbaum's advice for current students hones in on preparation. "Auditions are really a game against yourself. There are so many factors that are out of our control, but how you prepare, show up, and perform is absolutely not one of them," Tannenbaum said. "As long as there is something to be learned and taken forward, no audition is truly a loss."
Learn more about studying strings, woodwinds, or String and Piano Chamber Music at SFCM.