Gabriel Esperon, a master’s student in violin performance, has been appointed a Judith and Thomas L. Beckmen LA Phil Resident Fellow in Fall 2025. As a fellow, Esperon will perform as a violinist in orchestral, chamber music, new music and educational outreach concerts at both Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl.
“Playing with the LA Philharmonic, a world-class orchestra, is a dream come true,” said Esperon. “I’m especially excited to be touring with the LA Phil next season when they travel to Taiwan, Korea and Japan.”
Esperon is the first sitting UCLA student to win a resident fellowship with the LA Philharmonic. He completed his undergraduate degree in music performance and economics at Vanderbilt. Determined to continue his studies in music, Esperon applied to several graduate schools, and chose The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music for the violin studio professors—Varty Manouelian and Movses Pogossian.
“Gabriel has a great combination of incredible work ethic and positivity,” said Varty Manouelian, lecturer of violin at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music and LA Philharmonic violinist. “He meets challenges with a smile and is loved by his peers. And now I’ll be thrilled to have him as a colleague at the LA Phil.”
Esperon credits Manouelian and Pogossian for creating a vibrant studio. The school of music’s string studio regularly performs chamber recitals, including an annual Vivaldi concert that features first-year soloists.
“They [Manouelian and Pogossian] are legendary, very high caliber, and it is a blessing to have them here,” said Esperon. “It’s also been a very welcoming studio. We meet every week, we give each other great feedback. We have a great sense of camaraderie. It’s been great coming here.”
Esperon also cited performance opportunities at The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music as a specific draw for attending. This past winter, he auditioned and won a spot in the 20th Annual UCLA Philharmonia All Star concert, which featured ten student soloists. Esperon performed the first movement of the Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto in D Major.
“Playing that concert was a big deal,” said Esperon. “It was very special to be able to solo with the UCLA Philharmonia, and get to know the student conductors. I’ve made great friendships through those opportunities.”
The rigor and precision of working with an orchestra appeal to Esperon, and so does the camaraderie of the experience. Esperon traces part of this to his peripatetic childhood, where he shifted schools four times between elementary and high school. The constant change was challenging, but there was continuity in the orchestra. It was always a welcoming space. A place where he could connect with people who shared his interests.
The LA Phil residence will offer Esperon the opportunity to continue orchestral playing at the highest level. He will work a minimum of 20 weeks, but he certainly plans to work as much as his master’s training will allow.
“It’s an unbelievable position in an extraordinary orchestra,” said Esperon. “I’ve been to a few concerts since I arrived in Los Angeles. Now I’ll get to go to more!”