With poise and precision, more than a dozen young SFCM musicians danced into the spotlight alongside the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra.

It was all part of the concerto competition winner's concert featuring the SF Ballet Orchestra, under the baton of the orchestra’s leader Martin West on May 16 at SFCM. The orchestra is internationally recognized as one of the foremost ballet orchestras in the world.

Students rehearse with SFBO at SFCM.

The performance featured three soloists, all winners of SFCM concerto competitions: Anqi Zhou (oboe), Alex Liu (cello), and Ezekiel (Zeke) Sokoloff (violin). Concerto competitions are an opportunity for students to showcase their abilities and win the opportunity to perform as a soloist with the SFCM orchestra or with the SF Ballet Orchestra conducted by West.

For Anqi Zhou it was her first time soloing with an orchestra.  “I've always dreamed of standing in the spotlight, and actually experiencing it was incredible,” Zhou said. “Everything felt different in the moment: coordinating with the orchestra, capturing the audience’s attention, and delivering a true audio-visual experience. The adrenaline kicked in and carried me through, and I truly loved every second of the performance.” Zhou is a student of Eugene Izotov at SFCM. 

Martin West conducts at SFCM.

Soloist Zeke Sokoloff’s favorite part was the invaluable experience onstage performing with his peers and the famed orchestra. “I learned how to manage both conductor and orchestra while playing live,” Sokoloff, who studies with Simon James at SFCM said. “This experience taught me how to be clear with the conductor, but also to interact directly with the orchestra members if needed, so that I never feel ‘alone’ on stage and always have something to connect my listening to if needed.”

Students performed under West, conductor and music director of the SF Ballet Orchestra since 2005, in the Caroline H. Hume Concert Hall. “Working with Martin West was a great experience.” Sokoloff said. “He’s a true professional and knows how to get the orchestra sounding their best in the shortest possible amount of time. At the same time I felt like I had enough room to express myself musically, and he taught me valuable things about pacing.” 

Cellist Alex Liu works with SFBO conductor Martin West.

The concert featured works by Mozart, Tchaikovsky, and Shostakovich. “Maestro West was an incredible collaborator.” Zhou added. “His refined taste brought the orchestra to reach the essence of the classical style, which is always one of the most challenging but fascinating parts of performing Mozart,” Zhou continued. “We worked a lot on phrasing and balance, which laid the foundation for the successful performance.”

The SFCM Orchestra presents several performances a year that prominently feature student soloists. Participation also includes public orchestral workshops with distinguished guest conductors.

Faculty member Cordula Merks is also concertmaster of the SFBO.

“I learned so much,” Zhou said. “How to communicate and coordinate with the orchestra, how to listen, respond, and most importantly, how to enjoy the process. It also gave me a fresh perspective on how to better support a soloist when I’m playing in the orchestra in the future.”

Learn more about the SFCM Orchestra.