Concertmaster Jorja Fleezanis plays final season

Jorja Fleezanis
Jorja Fleezanis has been concertmaster for the Minnesota Orchestra since September 1989.
Photo by Ann Marsden

The longtime concertmaster of the Minnesota Orchestra Jorja Fleezanis is leaving for a teaching position.

When she steps down at the end of this season Fleezanis will have held the principle chair for 20 years.

She will become a Professor of Music at Indiana University. She said after learning so much by playing at such a high level for so long it's time to pass along her skills.

"This is ultimately is where to put my final really important working years to its best use. The more I have lived with the decision the more I realise how right it is and how important it will be for the future of orchestral players and also symphony orchestras," Fleezanis said.

Fleezanis said she has enjoyed working with all the music directors at the Minnesota Orchestra during her tenure.

She said she has taken particular satisfaction with the recordings of the complete Beethoven Symphonies with Osmo Vanska.

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