Benjamin Smolen joins the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra as principal flute this fall.
The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra has appointed Benjamin Smolen to principal flute. In addition, Misha Vayman has joined the first violin section. Both musicians are based in Los Angeles and will begin their new posts with the orchestra in the fall. Smolen joined the Pacific Symphony Orchestra in 2011, where he is principal flute. He has performed as guest principal flute with the Los Angeles Philharmonic, San Diego Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Los Angeles Opera, and Pasadena Symphony, has given solo performances with several ensembles, and appeared twice on National Public Radio’s From the Top. Smolen has also performed on several Hollywood film scores. Smolen has given recitals internationally, was a featured guest at the Japan Flute Festival and the National Flute Association’s annual convention, and has won flute competitions. His flute and guitar ensemble, Duo Musagete, with guitarist Jerome Mouffe, has performed in the United States and Europe. Smolen, who has been a guest teaching artist at several universities, completed undergraduate studies in the Music and Slavic departments at Princeton University and earned a Performance Diploma at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory. He earned a Master of Music in Flute Performance at New England Conservatory.
