ASO Announces New Concertmaster
The Anchorage Symphony Orchestra has appointed acclaimed Alaskan violinist and educator Dawn Lindsay as its new concertmaster, beginning with the orchestra’s 2026–27 season.
A longtime member of Alaska’s musical community, Lindsay has deep roots with the Anchorage Symphony. She grew up in Anchorage and first joined the orchestra at age 17. Now, she returns to the concertmaster chair as the ASO begins its 81st season.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with Dawn Lindsay and the outstanding musicians joining the Anchorage Symphony this season,” said Elizabeth Schulze, ASO Music Director. “Dawn’s compelling artistry and effective leadership are well known in our community, and as our concertmaster, she will be essential in upholding the ASO’s highest musical aspirations.”
As concertmaster, Lindsay will lead the orchestra’s first violin section and serve in a central artistic leadership role within the ensemble, working closely with Schulze and the musicians of the ASO.
“I truly look forward to serving as the next concertmaster of the Anchorage Symphony Orchestra,” Lindsay said. “It is an honor to lead my hometown orchestra alongside our amazing music director, Elizabeth Schulze, and to make music with my longtime friends and colleagues. We have a phenomenal season of great music, notably, for me, Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4, Beethoven’s Symphony No. 1, and the Silent Film concert. The ASO currently has this incredible energy of growth and excitement, and I am so thrilled to be part of it!”
Lindsay began studying violin at age five and, at age ten, traveled to Matsumoto, Japan, to study with Dr. Shinichi Suzuki. Growing up in Anchorage, she learned from some of Alaska’s leading violinists before joining the Anchorage Symphony as a teenager. She later studied at Indiana University and the University of North Texas. Today, Lindsay maintains an active performing and teaching career across Alaska and has served on the UAA Anchorage violin faculty since 2016.
Her work reflects a longstanding commitment to strengthening music-making throughout Alaska. In addition to the Anchorage Symphony, she performs with Anchorage Opera, Alaska Chamber Singers and Anchorage Concert Chorus and has been a longtime member of the Juneau Symphony Orchestra.
Lindsay assumes the concertmaster role as the Anchorage Symphony begins its 81st season, “Moments That Matter: Milestones and Masterworks.” The season opens Saturday, September 26, at Atwood Concert Hall with Valerie Coleman’s Umoja: Anthem of Unity, Liszt’s Piano Concerto No. 1 featuring Anchorage pianist Tim Smith, and Rachmaninoff’s Symphony No. 2.
