Joshua Horne may be a self-proclaimed nerd, but you wouldn't know that just by looking at him. When I first met him, all I could think was, "Wow! This guy is so nice!" His soft-spoken nature and surge of enthusiasm for the Sarasota Orchestra was endearing.

Joshua grew up in San Antonio, Texas, and dreamed of playing the drums. But, he eventually chose the French Horn because his father also played it. And the rest, as they say, is history. After attending the University of Texas where he studied horn performance under Patrick Hughes, he went on to Rice University in Houston, TX under the tutelage of William VerMeulen.

Joshua said, "Without him, I can't honestly say I'd be here. He really pushed me. And when I won this job, he was the first person I called."

Now in his second year with the organization, he says he couldn't be more blessed and he absolutely loves it!

When he's not rehearsing or performing, Joshua loves the art of story-telling and spends a lot of time listening to podcasts. Joshua has also been taking in all the culinary treats of Sarasota. His list of favorites includes JDubs Brewing Company, Mandeville Beer Garden and Station 400. He especially enjoys playing cornhole (bean bag toss) in the airy backyard space at JDubs.

I'm looking forward to hearing Joshua play in many of the upcoming Chamber Soiree concerts and Masterworks this season.