The Curtis Institute of Music, in Philadelphia, has announced the appointment of four new members of faculty, all of whom will begin at the opening of the 2025/26 academic year. They are Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra principal bassoon Julia Harguindey, Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra associate principal trumpet Conrad Jones, Metropolitan Opera Orchestra principal flute Chelsea Knox, and harp soloist Noël Wan.

Bassoonist Julia Harguindey will join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra as principal bassoon at the beginning of the 2025 season, while continuing in her role as principal bassoon of the Santa Fe Opera Orchestra, having been in the role since the 2016–17 season. She has also served as principal bassoon of the Nashville Symphony from 2016 to 2025.

Trumpeter Conrad Jones was appointed associate principal trumpet of the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra by Manfred Honeck in April 2024. Previously, he has performed as guest principal trumpet with the Chicago Symphony, Philadelphia Orchestra, St. Louis Symphony, Toronto Symphony, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

Currently principal flute of the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra, Chelsea Knox was the assistant principal flute of the Baltimore Symphony and principal flute of the New Haven and Princeton symphonies. She has also made solo appearances with the Baltimore Symphony, Princeton Symphony, and Hartford Symphony.

Harpist and interdisciplinary scholar Noël Wan has been a prizewinner at the Astral Artists National Competition, USA International Harp Competition, Debut Atlantic Touring Artist Competition, Prix Orford Musique, and World Harp Competition. Her research interests include queer embodiment and digital sound creation through the concepts of the monstrous feminine and cyborg aesthetics.

"Each of these new faculty members brings distinctive skills and experiences to Curtis," said Nick DiBerardino, provost and dean of the conservatory. "By expanding these instrumental departments with such extraordinary faculty, our students have the opportunity to benefit from more perspectives, empowering them to tailor their experiences in a completely unique way."