The Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus is entering its third decade of presenting high quality musical performances and dynamic music education programs to communities in the San Francisco Bay area. These highly successful programs have earned the organization a national and international reputation.
A key vision of Maestro Steiner is to increase audience development and provide access to classical music at the community level. The Golden Gate Symphony achieves this through implementing live music programs through an innovative ensemble orchestra and choral group, providing works ranging from classical to contemporary compositions.
Key People: in alphabetical order
Lalita perez acosta - Communications Associate
Lalita Pérez Acosta is a versatile double bassist and arts administrator passionate about music education and community outreach. She holds a Master's degree and Professional Studies Certificate in Double Bass Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music and a Bachelor's degree from Universidad Veracruzana in Xalapa, Mexico. Lalita co-leads the Bridge to the Arts and Music program at SFCM, merging her commitment to inclusivity with her love of music. She has performed with various ensembles in Mexico and the Bay Area and developed a keen interest in historical performance by attending festivals such as the Oregon Bach Festival and the Viola da Gamba Society's Conclave.
Lalita feels privileged to have joined the wonderful double bass section of the Golden Gate Symphony and serve as Communications Associate, supporting the mission of building community through access to high-quality concert programming and music education for a diverse public and students of all ages.
Leo Baluk - Librarian
A native of San Francisco, Leo Baluk earned his Bachelors degree in Cello Performance from the University of California, Irvine, and completed his Masters at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He went on to earn an Artist’s Diploma with the San Francisco Academy Orchestra and is currently an active performer and teacher in the Bay Area.
In addition to playing with various local musical groups and scenes, Leo is a member of the Golden Gate Symphony both as a member of the cello section and as the group's librarian. He is excited to play under the direction of Urs Steiner, who was once one of his musical teachers growing up in San Francisco.
Michelle Cipollone - Administrator / Chorus manageR
Michelle Cipollone, soprano, originally hails from Oregon, and is a passionate performer and music educator. In addition to operatic roles, Michelle has also toured internationally as a featured soloist with choral ensembles to Spain and Ireland, as well as singing solos in choral pieces and oratorio works with various professional-level choirs. She enjoys performing with the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus, both as a member of the chorus and as a featured soloist.
Michelle earned her Bachelor’s degree in Music Education from Pacific Lutheran University in 2012 and graduated with a Masters degree in Vocal Performance from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music in 2020. In addition to performing and teaching, Michelle is thrilled to join the GGSOC team as the Administrator, working behind the scenes to make the GGSOC engage the community and make beautiful music together!
Bruce Rockwell - Chorus Director — Benicia
Bruce Rockwell received his BA in Music from the University of California at Santa Cruz, and his MM in Composition from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music, where he studied with Conrad Susa and David Conte. He taught and directed music ensembles for the San Francisco Waldorf schools and the Town School for Boys. Bruce has been the choir director at College Park High School in Pleasant Hill since 2010. Under his direction the College Park choirs have gone on to great acclaim – earning a special recognition for community engagement from the Pleasant Hill city council, performing at Carnegie Hall twice, and most recently with the rock group Foreigner. He has taught choir, piano and guitar at College Park since 2010. He has written and presented a number of journal articles and conference sessions on various topics of interest to music educators, and has lived in Benicia since 2004.
urs leonhardt steiner - music director / conductor
Internationally renowned as a conductor, guitarist, educator, and composer, in 1994 Maestro Steiner founded the orchestra that would become the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus.
Originally from Chur, Switzerland, he studied at the University of Tubingen and graduated from the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. He took advanced conducting studies with James Wimer and Gustav Meier, as well as participating in Master classes with Andre Previn, Erich Leinsdorf, Leonhard Bernstein, and Herbert von Karajan, Maestro Steiner’s compositions include the operas “Il Secondo Settenio” and “Return of the Phantoms” which have been performed to critical acclaim in Switzerland and the United States. In addition to leading the Golden Gate Symphony in local and international endeavors, he is a frequent guest conductor with orchestras and ensembles
loretta taylor - concertmaster
Ms. Taylor has been the concertmaster of the Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra & Chorus since its founding. She has worked extensively with many orchestras throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and has performed in orchestras in San Juan, Puerto Rico and Perth, Australia. In addition to being the concertmaster of the Golden Gate Symphony, Ms. Taylor teaches at the San Francisco Community Music Center and is principal second violin of the Santa Cruz County Symphony. She has coached chamber music for the Chamber Musicians of Northern California and the Sequoia Chamber Music Workshop; and she has been a soloist with the Old First Orchestra, the Community Music Center Orchestra, and the New Millenium Strings. Ms. Taylor is a graduate of San Francisco State University, magna cum laude.
Brandon Tran - Orchestra Manager
Brandon Tran has been a freelance violinist and violist in the San Francisco Bay Area since the early 200’s. He is originally from Pittsburg, CA in Contra Costa County. He has played with the Golden Gate Symphony since 2022 and his role as Orchestra Manager uses both his great people skills and his knowledge of orchestral logistics. He is currently a graduate student pursuing a masters degree in music at San Francisco State University.