Esther Roestan
First Violin
Violinist Esther Roestan made her solo debut at the age of 9 with the Surabaya Symphony Orchestra, and performed as the youngest-ever assistant concertmaster of the Indonesian Gita Bahana Nusantara Orchestra, the national Indonesian Orchestra. At age 14, she earned a full scholarship to the Manhattan School of Music to study in its pre-college program. She has also studied violin at the Indiana University Jacobs School of Music, the Oberlin Conservatory, and The Orchestra Now. Her abilities and achievements have earned recognition from the likes of Addie MS, internationally-known Indonesian conductor, composer, and producer; Leon Botstein, President of Bard College and Music Director of the American Symphony Orchestra; and Grammy-award winning violinist Sibbi Bernhardsson. Ms. Roestan has performed as concertmaster and principal player for some of the top institutions in the word, including The Orchestra Now, Music Academy of the West, and the Oberlin Conservatory Chamber Orchestra. Ms. Roestan has also played a lead role as a principal musician in distinguished productions, including principal second violin in the West Coast premiere of Cold Mountain, winner of the 2016 International Opera Award and the first opera by 2021 Pulitzer Prize-winner Jennifer Higdon.