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Amy Huzjak

Principal Cello

Cellist Amy Huzjak lives in Albuquerque, NM, and serves as the Principal Cellist of the New Mexico Philharmonic. She also freelances throughout New Mexico and West Texas, and collaborates with other area organizations including Chatter ABQ, Opera Southwest, and the Santa Fe Symphony and Chorus. She is a founding member of Chasqui Quartet, touring Colorado in August 2021 and the Midwest in the Summer of 2022.

Recent solo appearances include Shostakovich Cello Concerto No. 1 with the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Abilene Christian University Orchestra, the Adagio from the Dvorak Cello Concerto and Haydn C Major Concerto with the University of Texas-Permian Basin (UTPB) Philharmonic as well as duo recitals in Midland, Abilene, San Angelo, Dallas, and Levelland, Texas. 

Previously, Amy played with the Abilene Philharmonic and served as the Principal Cellist of the Midland-Odessa Symphony and Chorale (MOSC) for over a decade. An avid chamber musician, Amy was the cellist for the MOSC resident ensemble Permian Basin String Quartet (PBSQ) during her tenure as Principal Cellist, performing concerts and educational outreach throughout West Texas. 

Before moving to Texas, Amy was the Principal Cellist of the Huntington (WV) Symphony Orchestra and played with several D.C area orchestras including the Fairfax (VA) Symphony Orchestra, Apollo Chamber Orchestra (MD), and Prince William (VA) Symphony. She was a faculty member at the International School of Music in Bethesda, MD, and had a private studio in College Park, MD.

A committed educator, Amy is a member of the Suzuki Association of the Americas and has a studio of over 20 students. In addition, Amy is an Adjunct instructor at the University of New Mexico coaching string quartets, directing the UNM Sinfonia, and teaching cello lessons. She is sought after as a clinician and coach for high school orchestras and chamber programs in New Mexico and West Texas. Previous posts include Adjunct Professor at the University of Texas-Permian Basin, Angelo State University, Abilene Christian University, Hardin-Simmons University, Midland College, and Odessa College. 

Amy’s mentors include David Teie, Thomas Landschoot, and Jenny Yopp. She holds MM in cello performance from the University of Maryland and a BM summa cum laude from Arizona State University. 

When not playing, Amy loves hiking and skiing in her native Colorado and travels around the world to hike with her dad. She is looking forward to exploring the Sandias and skiing in New Mexico.

amyhuzjak.com

Amy Huzjak, cello

Meet the Musicians

FIRST VIOLIN
Carmelo de los Santos
Karen McKinnon Concertmaster Chair
Sarah Tasker •••
Assistant Concertmaster
Ana María Quintero Muñoz
Joan Wang +
Heidi Deifel ++
Juliana Huestis
Barbara Rivers
Nicolle Maniaci
Barbara Scalf Morris

SECOND VIOLIN
Rachel Jacklin •
Carol Swift •••
Julanie Lee
Jessica Retana ++
Liana Austin
Lidija Peno-Kelly
Sheila McLay
Brad Richards

VIOLA
Laura Chang
Kimberly Fredenburgh •••
Allegra Askew
Christine Rancier
Laura Steiner
Michael Anderson
Lisa DiCarlo
Joan Hinterbichler
Laura Campbell

CELLO
Amy Huzjak
Jonathan Flaksman •••

Carla Lehmeier-Tatum
Ian Mayne-Brody
Dana Winograd
David Schepps
Lisa Collins
Elizabeth Purvis

BASS
Mark Tatum •••
Katherine Olszowka
Terry Pruitt
Marco Retana
Frank Murry

FLUTE
Valerie Potter
Esther Fredrickson
Jiyoun Hur ••+
Noah Livingston ••++

PICCOLO
Esther Fredrickson

OBOE
Kevin Vigneau
Amanda Talley

ENGLISH HORN
Melissa Peña ••+
Rebecca Ray ••++

CLARINET
Marianne Shifrin
Lori Lovato •••
Jeffrey Brooks

E-FLAT CLARINET
Lori Lovato

BASS CLARINET
Jeffrey Brooks

BASSOON
Stefanie Przybylska •
Denise Turner

HORN
Peter Erb •+
Allison Tutton
Andrew Meyers
Maria Long ••••

TRUMPET
John Marchiando
Brynn Marchiando
Sam Oatts ••

TROMBONE
Aaron Zalkind
Byron Herrington

BASS TROMBONE
David Tall +
Robinson Schulze ++

TUBA
Richard White

TIMPANI
Micah Harrow •+

PERCUSSION
Jeff Cornelius
Kenneth Dean
Emily Corneliu

Principal •
Associate Principal ••
Assistant Principal •••
Assistant ••••
Leave +
One-year position ++
Half-year position +++