The Shepherd School of Music at Rice University is entering an exciting new chapter, welcoming seven exceptional full-time faculty members in fall 2025, along with one distinguished visiting artist. From orchestral leaders to celebrated soloists and visionary educators, these new appointments represent the school’s commitment to excellence in music education, performance, and innovation. Each of these distinguished artists brings a unique background and a wealth of experience that will further elevate Shepherd’s national and international profile.
David Chan – Professor of Violin
Renowned violinist David Chan joins the Shepherd School as Professor of Violin after an illustrious 25-year tenure as concertmaster of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra. A distinguished pedagogue, Chan previously served on the faculties of The Juilliard School and Manhattan School of Music, where he led the Orchestral Performance program.
Chan was also recently named Artistic Director of the Taipei Music Academy and Festival, one of the world's preeminent educational festivals. At Shepherd, Chan will lead a full violin studio, teach orchestral repertoire, coach chamber music, and help lead creative labs. Read more about David Chan’s appointment.
Elizabeth Freimuth – Professor of Horn
Shepherd alumna Elizabeth Freimuth (’98) joins the faculty as Professor of Horn after nearly two decades as Principal Horn of the Cincinnati Symphony and Pops orchestras. Freimuth takes on the role after serving in a guest teaching artist capacity at Shepherd during the 24-25 academic year.
In her over 25 years of experience as an orchestral musician, Freimuth served as principal horn of the San Francisco Ballet Orchestra and Kansas City Symphony, and as a guest performer with the New York Philharmonic, Philadelphia Orchestra and the KBS Symphony in South Korea. A sought-after educator, Freimuth has taught at the University of Cincinnati, Indiana University, New World Symphony, and University of Missouri-Kansas City. Read more about Elizabeth Freimuth’s appointment.
Erin Hannigan – Professor of Oboe
Erin Hannigan, currently Principal Oboe of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, will join the Shepherd School as Professor of Oboe. She succeeds faculty member Robert Atherholt, who retires after over four decades of teaching.
Throughout her distinguished career, Hannigan frequently performed as a concerto soloist for DSO and as guest principal oboist with the New York Philharmonic, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Philharmonic, and the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra. An in-demand pedagogue, Hannigan previously taught at Southern Methodist University, Eastman School of Music, National Orchestral Institute, National Repertory Orchestra, and National Youth Orchestra. Read more about Erin Hannigan’s appointment.
Miguel Harth-Bedoya – Distinguished Resident Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting
Acclaimed conductor Miguel Harth-Bedoya joins the Shepherd School as Distinguished Resident Director of Orchestras and Professor of Conducting. An Emmy award winner and Grammy-nominated artist, Harth-Bedoya has led ensembles worldwide, including the Norwegian Radio Orchestra and the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra, where he remains music director laureate.
In his new role, Harth-Bedoya will lead the orchestral program and train the next generation of conductors, continuing the legacy of the late Larry Rachleff. With a fervent commitment to nurturing young artistry and a track record of impactful leadership roles worldwide, Harth-Bedoya brings a unique and internationally recognized artistic vision and pedagogy to the institution. He joins the Shepherd School faculty after serving as Director of Orchestral Studies at Baylor University. Read more about Miguel Harth-Bedoya’s appointment.
Allegra Lilly – Associate Professor of Harp
Houston Symphony Principal Harpist Allegra Lilly assumes leadership of the Shepherd School’s harp studio, succeeding Paula Page, who retires after four decades of teaching. Lilly previously served as Principal Harp of the St. Louis Symphony and has performed as guest principal with the symphonies of Chicago, Boston, and Toronto.
Lilly is also an in-demand educator, having taught at the University of Miami’s Frost School of Music and led masterclasses at Juilliard and Tanglewood. Lilly joins eight other Houston Symphony musicians who also serve on the Shepherd School’s faculty. Read more about Allegra Lilly’s appointment.
Cristian Măcelaru – Distinguished Visiting Artist
Shepherd alumnus Cristian Măcelaru (‘06, ‘08) returns as a Distinguished Visiting Artist from the 25/26 season through the 27/28 season. Currently Music Director of the Orchestre National de France and Music Director Designate of the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, Măcelaru brings global conducting experience and a celebrated career that includes a GRAMMY® Award and recent Olympic opening ceremony appearance.
In his annual residencies, Mӑcelaru will collaborate with Director of Orchestras Miguel Harth-Bedoya on a range of activities, including coaching ensembles, judging competitions, workshopping new compositions, and guiding mock auditions. Read more about Cristian Măcelaru’s appointment.
Nick Platoff – Associate Professor of Trombone
Nick Platoff, newly appointed Principal Trombone of the Houston Symphony, joins the Shepherd School as Associate Professor of Trombone, taking over from longtime faculty member Allen Barnhill. Before HSO, Platoff spent eight seasons as the Associate Principal Trombone at the San Francisco Symphony.
Playoff’s previous faculty positions include the University of Houston, Stanford University, and San Francisco Conservatory of Music Pre-College Division. Platoff has also led masterclasses at Stanford, Yale, The Juilliard School, the New World Symphony, and the National Orchestral Institute. Read more about Nick Platoff’s appointment.
Valentin Radutiu – Professor of Cello
Acclaimed cellist Valentin Radutiu joins the Shepherd School as Professor of Cello, succeeding Desmond Hoebig, who retires after over three decades of teaching. Principal cellist of the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin, Radutiu has also performed as concerto soloist with the Enescu Philharmonic Orchestra, Munich Philharmonic, Czech Philharmonic, Jerusalem Symphony, National Romanian Symphony, and Bucharest Radio Orchestra.
Radutiu is an active recording artist with eight albums, including the Haydn cello concertos and Enescu complete works for cello and piano. Radutiu previously served as Professor of Cello at the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber in Dresden, Germany. Read more about Valentin Radutiu’s appointment.