Donna Dolson

Donna Dolson serves as a Senior Lecturer in Horn and Major Ensemble Director at the State University of New York at Fredonia. A Grammy Award-winning musician, she is a member of the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and has performed internationally with leading ensembles including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, Osaka Century Orchestra, and Orquesta Sinfónica de la Universidad de Guadalajara. Her distinguished career spans orchestral, chamber, and solo performances across Japan, Norway, Mexico, and the United States.

Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Music from Boston University, a Master of Music from the Manhattan School of Music, and post-graduate studies at the University of Oslo under Frøydis Ree Wekre.

Ms. Dolson's artistic focus centers on Horn Performance, Chamber Music, and Orchestral Repertoire. She is particularly noted for her interpretations of classical and romantic horn concertos and has premiered contemporary works. As an educator, she emphasizes technical mastery and expressive depth, regularly conducting masterclasses globally to nurture the next generation of horn players.

Her accolades include:

• Grammy Award for Best Orchestral Performance (2018) for Shostakovich Symphony #5 with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
• Tony Award for Best Revival (1983) as part of the original cast album recording for "On Your Toes"

In her academic role, Ms. Dolson mentors students in horn performance and chamber music. She recently produced a masterclass tour featuring her mentor Frøydis Ree Wekre at institutions including SUNY Fredonia, Cleveland Institute of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, and the Eastman School of Music. Her professional engagements with major orchestras and festivals worldwide demonstrate her ongoing impact in the music community.

Ms. Dolson maintains active performance affiliations with the Chautauqua Symphony Orchestra and has held principal positions in international ensembles. Her collaborations extend to renowned orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Berlin Philharmonic, and Chicago Symphony Orchestra.