Platforms
The elected candidates will serve on the CSO Executive Board for the Spring 2026 semester (Communications Chair) or the 2026-2027 school year (Co-Presidents, Treasurer, Performance Directors).
Co-President (2)
Shruthy Rajkumar - My name is Shruthy Rajkumar, I'm a Second-Year Econ major, and I play cello! Outside of CSO, I'm Vice President and Mentoring Lead of Students Demand Action where I organize a tutoring program in partnership with a small business and other members of the Charlottesville community in addition to helping out with CIO administrative duties. For me, the best part of orchestra has always been the community that it has provided me with. Using my experience, inside and outside of CSO, I hope to continue to foster this environment and make sure that members have a welcoming place where they can do what they love - making music with others!
Brennan Wise - Hi everyone! My name is Brennan, and I'm currently a Second Year studying mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, and applied math. In addition to CSO, where I'm a proud 2nd violinist, I'm a member of Virginia Motorsports and a TA for the APMA department. Joining CSO was the best decision I've made in college and a large part of why I chose UVA — the fact that I can continue to play music with fellow students brings me so much joy, and I'm grateful for everyone who makes this organization what it is. I'm running for co-president because I love CSO, and I believe I have the skills to help it continue to prosper. In my time on the exec board, I've worked with other members to solve problems and improve efficiency, all to put our music first and minimize the pesky delays and distractions that come with running a student orchestra. I'm not afraid to advocate on behalf of CSO, even if it means asking a bewildered O'Hill employee to swipe some chairs for a couple of hours. I love feedback, and I'd do everything in my power to ensure that this organization is the best it can be for all its members. Congratulations on a fantastic concert, and I'm looking forward to our return next semester!
Treasurer
Autumn Lee - Hi, I'm Autumn Lee, and I'm a first-year playing first violin! I plan to be a biochemistry major with a Chinese minor on the pre-health track, and I perform with the Traditional Chinese Dance Team! I would love to be the Treasurer for CSO because I want to help contribute to making CSO events the most enjoyable they can be for all members, especially with helping to secure amazing venues like the Paramount. To be even more inclusive, if possible, I would like to set aside a fund for FGLI students with trouble paying dues as well as scholarship funds for graduate students and undergrads seeking graduate school in the future.
Performance Director (2)
Strings Performance Directors Candidates:
Pauline Tsui - Hey! I’m Pauline, a first-year violinist intending PST on a pre-law track, and some of my hobbies are reading, watching movies/shows, traveling (Singapore is at the top of my list), swimming, and music; a fun fact about me is I’ve gotten into five car accidents (I WAS NOT DRIVING IN ANY OF THEM TO CLARIFY). I’ve been playing violin since I was four, and music has always been where I found connection and confidence, especially after years when financial hardship forced me to step away from the violin. That experience—and my work mentoring younger musicians in NJSYO, Harmonic Outreach, being assistant concertmaster in NJSYO, and being coached by musicians in the NJ Symphony—drives me to support and uplift musicians of all backgrounds, so everyone in CSO feels valued and empowered. As Performance Director, I hope to bring that spirit to CSO through collaborative sectionals, strong organization, and an encouraging, inclusive rehearsal environment.
Alex Wang - Hi, I’m Alex — a first-year violinist intending to major in Commerce and Environmental Thought & Practice. I was genuinely surprised (in the best way!) to be nominated, and I’m running for Performance Director because I want to help our orchestra — especially the violins — sound cleaner and more unified through thoughtful bowing and fingering planning. I’m excited to use my violin background and spend extra time testing different combinations myself to find solutions that make the music easier and more enjoyable to play. If possible, I’d love to extend that support to other sections as well!
Kaitlyn Thai - Hi CSO family! My name is Kaitlyn, I’m a first year violinist, thinking of majoring in chemical physics and minoring in BME! I’m hoping to run to be one of your PDs for the upcoming school year. A little more about me, some of my hobbies outside of CSO include reading, baking, interior design, and swimming! I’m a frequent Kennedy Center audience member as well (anyone else going to see Hilary Hahn in March??). I’m hoping to be a performance director for CSO because I’d like to provide a larger contribution to our orchestra’s cohesion, repertoire, and backstage work! In my short time being here, I’ve already seen how much work goes into the orchestra, both in the public face and behind the scenes, so I’d love to get the opportunity to take on a larger part in this amazing community. A little more about my experiences: I’ve had a musical background since I was around 4, playing piano and then picking up violin when I was 10. I was concertmaster and section leader for my high school’s orchestra and performed at senior regional (2x) and all-county orchestra all my years of high school (I was principal 2nd violin for all county!). I was also a huge Tri-M honor society member (we love sharing music w/ our elderly community members yayyyyy!). With these experiences, I hope to bring a balance of musical background, reliability, and passion to the role. I want to continue supporting a well-run environment where every member belongs, feels heard, and excited to perform. Most importantly, I’m committed to helping CSO continue growing as a cohesive, welcoming, and amazing community!
Sam Gernhardt - My name is Sam Gernhardt, I am a first-year hoping to double-major in linguistics and biochemistry, and my main instrument is cello, but I also play violin, viola, and clarinet, which I think makes me particularly qualified for this position in terms of both transposing sheet music and evaluating the needs of the orchestra from multiple perspectives. I would like to be a performance director, because I enjoy all aspects of orchestra, from the actual performance to organizing more behind-the-scenes aspects like sheet music and rehearsal strategy. I hope, in the future, we implement a slightly more technique-focused strategy that emphasizes not just what performers can improve but how they can improve it, which will hopefully develop skills that the performers can then carry into other musical opportunities such as chamber groups and solo performances. Moreover, I also aim to find and organize more performance opportunities for musicians in CSO whether it is the main ensemble or more performances at the small group or individual level.
Emmet Townsend - I'm Emmet, a 2nd-year cello from Richmond, VA. I major in Urban and Environmental Planning in the Architecture school. When I'm not practicing (which is most of the time), you might find me on a run with Club Running or doomscrolling in bed. I'd like to be one of your next Performance Directors because I care about growing this organization's player and listener base as it moves into its second decade. I feel as though I can best work towards that goal by putting together an engaging and enjoyable program for all of CSO's musicians. I have experience arranging and transposing music in MuseScore, and I have several ideas about directions the organization could take regarding its music. I'm thrilled at the opportunity to run for this position!
Winds/Brass Performance Directors Candidates:
Anuj Damle - Hey all! I'm Anuj and I'm a first-year flutist (or "flautist" if you prefer) planning on majoring in data science or statistics and potentially economics. Some of my hobbies include playing video games, watching movies, playing the daily NYT Connections, and playing my instruments (I also play piccolo in the Cavalier Marching Band and saxophone in the Athletic Band!). Ever since I started playing flute, I have had a passion for music that has only grown and manifested in many different ways, including picking up new instruments (the aforementioned saxophone and piccolo as well as clarinet) and arranging pieces for different instrumentations. That passion is why I want to be a performance director and that experience with other instruments combined with time as the flute section leader in my high school's wind ensemble allows me to be able to give constructive feedback even for instrument-specific challenges (such as a clarinet run going over the break) to make sure everyone is able to play at their best.
Nic Faulds - Hi! My name is Nic, and I'm a first-year percussionist planning to major in Spanish. I love playing and listening to music, playing any and all kinds of games (especially strategy games), and eating food (if you ever need snacks, or want to share snacks, hit me up)! I'm also a cymbal player in the CMB Drumline, and I'm planning to be in UVA's Percussion Ensemble this spring. As a percussionist, I'm always in tune with the band's rhythm, dynamics, and flow, and helping to make ensembles the best they can be has led me to leadership roles in other ensembles and gives me the goal of being performance director. Having been a percussionist since fifth grade (and a pianist before that), I've had many years of music experience. Since my focus is on percussion, my goals as a performance director would be to focus on our musicality, especially regarding dynamics and blend, along with some good old tempo control and conductor watching.
Kylie McLaughlin - Hi guys! I'm Kylie, a third-year flautist who currently serves as the Fundraising & Outreach Chair. If you want to know more about me, I love activism on-grounds, doing the daily NYT crossword, and reading all day every day! I'm very interested in being the winds/brass PD because interpretation and musicality, to me, is the essence of music, and I want to help shape this orchestra to be the best it can be. In addition, I have extensive experience using platforms like MuseScore and Finale to arrange pieces for multiple instruments. I also believe that my dedication and organization in my current role in the executive team highlights the strengths that I would bring to this role.
Communications Chair (Spring 2026 semester only)
Nat Taylor - Hi CSO folks! My name is Nat Taylor, and I am a proud first-year Viola player. I love soccer, 2010s pop, donuts, and of course playing my instrument. I want to be the communications chair because I love the CSO community and want to stay involved by helping write goofy, informative weekly emails. I think I am a good fit because I stay organized so you reliably know I will get the info out each week and I have experience in similar roles like secretary for other clubs in high school.
Autumn Lee - Hi, I'm Autumn Lee, and I'm a first-year playing first violin! I plan to be a biochemistry major with a Chinese minor on the pre-health track, and I perform with the Traditional Chinese Dance Team! I would love to be the Communications Chair for CSO because I want to help with CSO outreach using tabling and flyers to all schools of UVA. Going to events and meeting exec has helped me feel more welcome within CSO and UVA as a whole, and I would greatly enjoy being part of the team that helps make that all possible.
Liya Taxali - Hi- I'm Liya, a second-year violinist and intended Global Public Health major (on the pre-med track)! Outside of CSO, I am part of Remote Area Medical, Women In Medicine Initiatives, and UNICEF, and my hobbies include painting, checking out new movies, or doing anything outdoors! I'd love to serve as the CSO's Communications Chair and help spread the orchestra's hype through our weekly emails, event advertisements, and social media announcements. I am highly detail-oriented and have prior leadership experience, such as leading my high school's Strings for Nursing Homes program- I'd love to bring these skills to CSO to continue making it the inviting community it's been!
Lauren MacDonnell - HELLOOO, ORCH-A-DORKS! My name is Lauren MacDonnell and I am a second-year transfer student and violist (#violapride) studying Commerce, German, English, and a sprinkle of Spanish. As a transfer student who didn’t know how to correctly pronounce “New Cabell” for a whole month, joining this supportive CSO community has been incredibly positive—it is this experience that motivates me to give back to CSO and makes me a great point of contact for incoming members (I’ve survived the freshie experience…twice). I have cultivated extensive executive and interpersonal abilities, having served as president of the National Honor Society and American Red Cross Club during my high school tenure, and always bring a bubbly disposition and positive attitude into everything I do. As a timely, well-organized, and enthusiastic Cav, I would facilitate effective and punctual communications within the CSO community and do it with a smile. Thanks!
Carly Robinson - My name is Carly Robinson, I am a first year, and I play percussion. I love watching anime, playing games with friends, and being involved in CSO's community! I want to be the Communication Chair because I would enjoy organizing, promoting events, and helping to keep everyone connected. I think the CSO updates I read are so silly and fun, which I would particularly enjoy writing as well! I would love to introduce an idea of weekly/monthly SO spotlights where we highlight one member or section to bring a lighthearted feel to our emails. Overall, I would be an excited, creative candidate to help CSO run smoothly.