Phil Yao Horn Interview – Horn Signal #10

Phil Yao Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #10 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with hornist Phil Yao, LA studio musician.

About Phil Yao

With over 1,500 credits in film, television and recording, USC graduate Phillip Yao has worked with many of the world’s top composers and musicians including John Williams, James Horner, Michael Giacchino and Jerry Goldsmith.

He can be heard on recordings showcasing a variety of artists from all genres; Hilary Hahn, Barbra Streisand, Aerosmith, Ray Charles, and Neil Diamond, to name a few.

In addition, he has years of orchestral, opera, ballet, and Broadway show experience having been a member of the Pasadena Symphony and playing with the Pacific Symphony, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera, Phantom of the Opera and Miss Saigon.   

He and his wife, harpist, Alison Bjorkedal, currently spend time gardening, golfing, and beekeeping.  They also enjoy spending time with Phil’s 3-year old grandson. Post-playing, Phil has joined the team at Juliani Music Preparation.

Phil Yao Links

Podcast Credits

  • “Haydn Symphony #31 “Horn Signal“, “Hornpipe” Water Music by Handel and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Wagner’s Lohengrin
  • Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard
  • Cover Art – Meg Ryia
  • Podcast Hosts – John Snell and Preston Shepard

Dave Everson Horn Interview – Horn Signal #9

Dave Everson Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #9 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with hornist Dave Everson, LA studio musician and formerly of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.

About Dave Everson

David Everson, retired Assistant Principal Horn of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, joined the DSO in 1999 after serving as Principal Horn of the Kansas City Symphony for 13 years. A Michigan native and student of Louis Stout at the University of Michigan, he has also performed as guest Principal with ensembles including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, National Symphony, and St. Paul Chamber Orchestra. Everson is active as a studio musician in Los Angeles, where he has recorded more than 150 film scores, and he continues to perform with the Naples Philharmonic and freelance in LA.

Dave Everson Links

Podcast Credits

  • “Haydn Symphony #31 “Horn Signal“, “Hornpipe” Water Music by Handel and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Wagner’s Lohengrin
  • Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard
  • Cover Art – Meg Ryia
  • Podcast Hosts – John Snell and Preston Shepard

Gina Gillie Horn Interview – Horn Signal #8

Gina Gillie Horn Interview

Welcome to the show notes for Episode #8 of Horn Signal! This episode features an interview with hornist and composer, Gina Gillie.

About Gina Gillie

Dr. Gina Gillie is a sought-after composer, teacher, hornist, and traveler. She formerly held the position of Professor of Music at Pacific Lutheran University (2008-2024) where she taught horn, composition, ear training, chamber music, music history, music theory, and music appreciation. While all of Gillie’s degrees and training are in Horn Performance, she has been an active composer since 2009, and she is frequently commissioned to write music for chamber ensembles that include brass instruments. In 2022, she was the winner of the IWBC Composition Competition with her trombone octet, Mountain Ascent, and in 2025, she was commissioned to write a brass quintet for the IWBC annual conference. In addition to these honors, Gillie’s award-winning body of work was recognized in 2023 with Pacific Lutheran University’s K.T. Tang Faculty Excellence Award in Research, and her music is performed internationally in countries including Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, the Philippines, Portugal, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, and the U.S. Her compositional style incorporates singing melodies, accessible harmonies, and frequent use of counterpoint. Many of her scores are published by Wavefront Music while others are self-published and available in digital format.

Gina Gillie Links

Podcast Credits

  • “Haydn Symphony #31 “Horn Signal“, “Hornpipe” Water Music by Handel and “Elsa’s Procession to the Cathedral” from Wagner’s Lohengrin
  • Audio Engineer – Preston Shepard
  • Cover Art – Meg Ryia
  • Podcast Hosts – John Snell and Preston Shepard