Welcome, New Musicians!
Welcome, New Musicians!
This summer we had the opportunity to get to know the six new musicians who will be joining the Dallas Symphony Orchestra for the 2025/26 season. Read more about them below!
Samantha Bennett, Interim Section Second Violin
Hometown
Ames, Iowa
Previous ensemble/school/job
Dallas Opera Orchestra
What are you looking forward to most about Dallas? (Or if you’re already local, what are some of your favorite things about Dallas?)
I’ve lived in Dallas now for nearly 5 years, and I love the neighborhood I live in, which is close to Bishop Arts. There are so many great restaurants and shops. Wild Detectives is one of my favorites!
What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?
Bones is my go-to show. I’ve seen all the episodes several times. As far as movies, the 100% absolute best movie of all time is Monty Python and the Holy Grail, and I will not hear a word otherwise!
What are you binge-watching right now?
The Residence
Favorite place you’ve performed?
The Berlin Philharmonie
What’s a fun fact you’d like DSO audiences to know about you?
My husband (DSO Principal Percussion, George Nickson) and I started a contemporary chamber group called ensembleNEWSRQ in Sarasota, FL, where we lived before Dallas. It’s still going strong, and our 10th season is coming up this year!
SaiSai Ding, Cello
Hometown
My hometown is in China. I came to Dallas when I was 11 years old.
Previous ensemble/school/job
School! I graduated from the Curtis Institute of Music in 2023 and received a SMU Performance Diploma in 2025.
What are you looking forward to most about Dallas? (Or if you’re already local, what are some of your favorite things about Dallas?)
My favorite thing about Dallas is the Rodeo and Texas BBQ. Most importantly, how the city has grown over the past 13 years.
What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?
My favorite movie of all time is The Lord of the Rings. Second to that is Gladiator.
What are you binge-watching right now?
I am no longer binge-watching things, but I did once watch 3 seasons of Squid Games in 2 days.
Favorite place you’ve performed?
My favorite place to perform is at the Meyerson Symphony Center. I did my solo debut at the Meyerson back in 2015 when I was in 8th grade. I performed the Dvořák Cello Concerto with the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra.
What’s a fun fact you’d like DSO audiences to know about you?
I am a private IFR-rated pilot currently working on my commercial and CFI License. I fly in a Cessna 172 S model single prop airplane.
Christian Luevano, Associate Principal Bass
Hometown
Denton, TX
Previous ensemble/school/job
Curtis Institute of Music and the Grant Park Music Festival
What are you looking forward to most about Dallas? (Or if you’re already local, what are some of your favorite things about Dallas?)
I can’t wait to have good Tex-Mex and BBQ close by!
What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?
Probably Breaking Bad or Always Sunny in Philadelphia
What are you binge-watching right now?
I’m on season 9 of How I Met Your Mother.
Favorite place you’ve performed?
Either the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam or at the Ravello Festival in Naples.
What’s a fun fact you’d like DSO audiences to know about you?
I was in the Greater Dallas Youth Orchestra for 9 seasons!
Alexander Heather, Section Bass
Hometown
South Petherton, United Kingdom
Previous ensemble/school/job
Curtis Institute of Music
What are you looking forward to most about Dallas? (Or if you’re already local, what are some of your favorite things about Dallas?)
What I’m looking forward to most is the food and the weather! In the UK we don’t see a lot of sunlight, so the sunnier weather in Dallas is a welcome contrast! I’ve heard great things about the food in Dallas (especially BBQ) so I can’t wait to try all the spots when I move there.
What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?
That’s a tough question, but it probably has to be the Lord of the Rings trilogy.
Favorite place you’ve performed?
Super tough question! It would either be the Musikverein in Vienna or in the Proms at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
What’s a fun fact you’d like DSO audiences to know about you?
A fun fact about me is that I have 4 citizenships! USA, Canada, the UK and Australia.
Mark Debski, Interim Principal Oboe
Hometown
Bethel Park, Pennsylvania
Previous ensemble/school/job
Principal Oboe, The Florida Orchestra
What are you looking forward to most about Dallas? (Or if you’re already local, what are some of your favorite things about Dallas?)
I’m most looking forward getting to know the vibrant arts scene in the city!
What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?
TV show: Eurovision; Movie: Best in Show
What are you binge-watching right now?
Severance
Favorite place you’ve performed?
Royal Albert Hall for the BBC Proms
What’s a fun fact you’d like DSO audiences to know about you?
I’m learning to bake macarons — it could be going better, so I could use some pointers!
Paul Hafley, Associate Principal and E-Flat Clarinet
Robert E. & Ruth Glaze Chair
Hometown
San Diego, CA
Previous ensemble/school/job
US Navy Band in Washington, D.C.
What are you looking forward to most about Dallas? (Or if you’re already local, what are some of your favorite things about Dallas?)
BBQ and Mexican Food!
What’s your favorite TV show and/or movie?
Rings of Power
What are you binge-watching right now?
Hard Knocks 2025 Offseason
Favorite place you’ve performed?
Carnegie Hall or the White House
What’s a fun fact you’d like DSO audiences to know about you?
I play disc golf semi-professionally! It’s a great way to stay active, and I love competing at local tournaments when I can.