Maria Serkin

Dr. Maria Serkin is Associate Professor of Horn at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she leads a dynamic studio of high school, undergraduate, and graduate students. Recipient of UNCSA’s 2023–2024 Excellence in Teaching Award, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of artists, many of whom have gone on to distinguished careers in orchestras, academia, and arts administration worldwide. Each summer, she serves on faculty at the International Chamber Music Academy in Ochsenhausen, Germany. 

As a performer, Dr. Serkin has held principal horn positions with the Florida Grand Opera, Palm Beach Symphony, Sarasota Orchestra, Atlantic Classical Orchestra, and Charlottesville Symphony, and has appeared with the Boston Symphony Orchestra, Kansas City Symphony, Rochester Philharmonic, Spoleto Festival USA, and the Boston Early Music Festival, among others. Her recent collaborations include CORolina, the Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle, Charlotte Symphony, Palm Beach Opera, the Hawaii Performing Arts Festival, and multiple solo premieres at the International Horn Symposium. 

Dr. Serkin earned degrees from the Eastman School of Music and New England Conservatory, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Manhattan School of Music. 

www.mariaserkin.com

Hayden Abercrombie, C3

Hailing from Concord, North Carolina, Hayden Abercrombie is an active horn player and teacher. Described as "stubbornly dedicated to succeeding" by colleagues, he enjoys an active, rich, and varied career as a solo artist, orchestral player, and private lesson instructor. He has appeared in PBS Specials (Premier Stage at UNCSA), onstage at the Sydney Opera House, and as a dedicated member of a number of ensembles. Recent career highlights include competing in the solo competition at the innagural Schwob Brass Festival and performing as a member of the UNC Greensboro Wind Ensemble at the 2025 Collegiate Band Directors National Association (CBDNA) Conference in Fort-Worth, Texas. 

Hayden has performed in masterclasses for Jennifer Montone, David Cooper, and Anne-Marie Cherry. He is currently pursuing his bachelor's degree in music performance from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where he studies with Maria Serkin. At UNCSA, Hayden is an active member of the horn studio and the Sunnyside Brass. Previously, Hayden spent two years at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro studying with Dr. Abigail Pack. He also holds a high school diploma from UNCSA, as well as a certificate of distinction in Instrumental Music from the North Carolina Governor's School.  

Hayden plans to return to school to receive graduate degrees in performance and enjoy a lifetime of teaching horn at the collegiate level, performing professionally, and both sponsoring and performing in new music projects. When not on stage or in the practice room, Hayden enjoys spending quality time with his friends and family, visiting National Parks, and playing with his dog, Treble.

Leo Breit, HS Junior

Leo Breit is a high school junior at UNCSA from Durham, North Carolina. Before coming to UNCSA to study horn, Leo participated in North Carolina All-District and All-State Bands. She also attended summer programs, including UNCG Music Camp, Cannon Music Camp, and North Carolina Governor’s School East. Leo is participating in Wind Ensemble and Symphonic Winds at UNCSA. Before coming to UNCSA, Leo studied with Rachel Niketopoulos and Christopher Caudill. After graduating high school, Leo intends to study music further in college, exploring different aspects of the art, including teaching and composition. Outside of school, Leo enjoys playing with her pets and solving Rubik’s cubes. She also enjoys playing video games, guitar, and piano. She is excited to be immersed in a community of musicians and artists at UNCSA, as well as peruse the record collections and music books in the library. 

Kyle Coleman, C3

Kyle Coleman is a hornist and tenor from Beaufort, North Carolina.  Kyle is in his third year of pursuing his bachelor's degree in horn performance and intends to use his talents in the US military band after graduation. Before coming to UNCSA, Kyle has had the honor to play in ensembles including the Instrumental Music Wind Ensemble at Governor’s School East (2022), Eastern District All-District Band (2019-2023), and as an inaugural member of Carteret Collective Sound (2021).  Since arriving in Winston-Salem, Kyle has immersed himself in UNCSA ensembles, including the Symphony Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Nutcracker Orchestra, and Winter Opera Orchestra, as well as extensive chamber ensemble experience.  He has also performed multiple concerts with the Wake Forest University Symphony Orchestra and currently freelances as a hornist and tenor for churches in the area.  Passionate and deeply driven by faith, Kyle is focused and forward-thinking, working with professionals and other students to tell musical stories in increasingly interesting ways. He seeks to show the beauty of Creation in every performance. In his free time, Kyle enjoys reading, singing, and model railroading.

Arturo Dekle, C2

Arturo Dekle is from Palm Beach County, Florida, and is currently pursuing his undergraduate degree at UNCSA. With over a decade of experience on the French horn and a lifelong dedication to music, Arturo brings both passion and versatility to his craft. He also plays Trumpet, performing primarily in jazz settings, and has experience in arranging music across genres for different types of small groups. He attended arts-focused middle and high schools, which provided a strong foundation in both classical and contemporary performance. Beyond schooling, he’s performed in ensembles such as the New World Symphony Side-by-Side and Palm Beach Symphony Side-by-Side, and was honored to receive the Palm Beach Symphony’s Lisa Bruna B-Major Award. Arturo has also taken initiative as an organizer – in the spring of 2025, he coordinated and led two “Spring Carnival” events, featuring a Latin Band he personally curated as the main act. Arturo continues to explore new creative directions while honing his performance skills, striving to make meaningful contributions to the music community.

Wyatt Gibson, Adjunct, PAC

Multi-faceted hornist Wyatt Gibson pushes the boundaries between traditional and commercial music. Starting from a very young age, he has worked to blend the genres of music and grow interest in the past and the present. Wyatt has played with a variety of ensembles from around the country, including Nu Corno Collegiate and the World Ballet Company, and has been recognized as a finalist in the UNCSA Concerto Competition and the inaugural Schwob Brass Festival.  

His talents go further than just the modern horn--Wyatt has developed skills in natural and historic horns, and experimental horn with amplified effects. He is currently pioneering an approach which mixes these effects with standard horn styles and repertoire. Most recently, Wyatt premiered and demonstrated this approach at the 2025 Southeast Horn Workshop in Boone, NC. Additionally, Wyatt is an avid educator, leading master classes across the United States and teacher as an adjunct horn instructor at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.  

Wyatt earned a Bachelor of Music from Western Carolina University, where he studied horn with Dr. Travis Bennett, audio recording with Jim Elenteny, and audio production with Dr. Justin Kennedy. He earned a Master of Music from UNCSA, where he studied performance practice and teaching strategies under Dr. Maria Serkin.

Ashton Latimer, C2

Ashton Latimer is a Canadian composer and French horn player from Vancouver, British Columbia. His music explores the textures and sound worlds of acoustic instruments and has been recognized through awards, competitions, and performances across North America. His orchestral work Purification won the SOCAN Young Composer Award and was selected for the Victoria Symphony’s Hugh Davidson Readings, while his quartet Ghost Ballerina won the Langley String Quartet Competition. Recent projects include Overflow for the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra’s Jean Coulthard Readings and Emergence and Infestation, premiered at the Southeast Horn Workshop. Ashton has played with the Vancouver Academy of Music Symphony Orchestra, Fraser Valley Wind Ensemble, BCMEA Honour Wind Ensemble, and more. Currently, he is pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Composition at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, studying composition with Jared Miller, and horn with Maria Serkin, and Wyatt Gibson. 

Nathan Olusemire, C4

Nathan Olusemire is a dedicated French horn player from Lagos, Nigeria. His musical journey began in 2018 at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, where he first encountered the French horn. Undeterred by its reputation as one of the most challenging brass instruments, Nathan embraced the challenge with determination and passion, setting the foundation for his evolving career. 

With a strong interest in both classical and contemporary music, Nathan has built an impressive performance portfolio. He has performed with esteemed ensembles, including the Memphis Symphony Orchestra (Side by Side), the Grammy Award winning Imani Winds, Sugarhill Salon, the Divine Symphony Orchestra, the National Youth Orchestra of Nigeria, the Central Avenue Brass Quintet at the University of Memphis, and the Abuja Metropolitan Opera. In 2023, he made his Carnegie Hall debut as the principal horn of the African United Orchestra. 

Committed to continuous growth, Nathan has participated in masterclasses and private lessons in the United States, receiving mentorship from renowned musicians such as Jennifer Montone, Kevin Newton, Ernie Tover, Hazel Dean Davis, and Barbara Jostlein Currie. 

Currently, Nathan is an undergraduate student at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, studying under Dr. Maria Serkin. He is devoted to refining his artistry and aspires to become a leading figure in classical music. With a deep passion for education and outreach, Nathan aims to be a catalyst for positive change in the classical music landscape of West Africa and beyond, inspiring the next generation through performance, mentorship, and advocacy.

Chase Oncken, C4

Chase Oncken is a horn player from St. Louis, Missouri currently pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. He is studying under Dr. Maria Serkin and Stefan de Leval Jezierski. Chase is also pursuing a minor in German Studies. 

As both an orchestral and chamber musician, Chase has performed with professional ensembles including The Chamber Orchestra of the Triangle and the Western Piedmont Symphony. He also serves as Principal and Section Horn with multiple ensembles at UNCSA. His chamber experience includes performing with the Rose Wind Quintet, Bernoulli Winds, UNCSA Horn Quartet, and the UNCSA Brass Band. 

Chase has participated in summer programs such as the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival in New York, the International Chamber Music Academy of Ochsenhausen Germany, and the Berlin Opera Academy. 

Dedicated to continual growth, Chase has performed in masterclasses for leading artists including Jennifer Montone, Jeff Scott, Imani Winds, David Byrd-Marrow, Stefan de Leval Jezierski, and Kevin Newton.  

With a passion for both performance and cultural engagement, Chase is building a career connecting the international classical scene, blending American training with Germanic musical traditions.

Moss Perdue, HS Junior

Moss Perdue is a junior in the high school program at UNCSA. She is from Asheville, North Carolina and attended Charles D Owen High School prior to her admission to UNCSA. She has played horn for 4 years but has been involved in music for a significant portion of her life. Moss has a diverse ensemble experience, having played as the principal horn in the Asheville Youth Symphony, the Cannon Music Camp Orchestra, as well as in various chamber ensembles like the Cannon Music Camp Woodwind Quintet and the Owen High School Woodwind Quintet. She has also attended numerous NC All-District and All-State band clinics. Before coming to UNCSA, Moss studied horn with Dr. Travis Bennet, Dr. Maria Serkin, Dr. Dakota Corbliss, and studied violin with, Paul Stroebel. Moss hopes to attend a music conservatory and pursue a doctorate in music performance. Eventually, she would like to play in a major orchestra and lead a woodwind quintet.

Brayden Pope, HS Junior

Brayden Pope is a junior in the high school program at UNCSA, where he studies horn. He began playing music at a young age and has developed a passion for both solo and ensemble performance. This past summer, he was selected to attend the North Carolina Governor’s School East, an intensive program for gifted students across the state. At UNCSA, Brayden performs with the High School Horn Quartet as well as several large ensembles, and he also plays with the Winston-Salem Youth Symphony. 

Outside of rehearsals and performances, Brayden enjoys exploring a wide range of academic subjects, with a particular love for learning in school. In the future, Brayden hopes to continue growing as a musician and pursue opportunities that combine his artistic and academic interests.

Justice Ratliff, C3

Justice Ratliff is a C3 at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, pursuing a Bachelor of Music in Horn Performance. Her journey with Horn has led her to stages both in the U.S. and abroad, including the International Music Festival of Ochsenhausen in Germany and the Imani Winds Chamber Music Festival in New York City. These opportunities deepened her passion for collaboration, sparked her interest in pursuing chamber music more seriously, and strengthened her commitment to using music as a way to bring people together. 

Justice cares deeply about leadership and community. She served as a Summer Camp Director, where she discovered a love for working with kids, and she continues that work through ArtistCorps bringing creativity into local schools. In addition, she facilitates weekly Bible studies, creating space for meaningful conversations and personal growth. 

Outside of her studies, Justice enjoys painting, cooking, traveling, and spending time with her dog and family. She believes in living life with love and hopes to continue creating spaces where people feel free to express themselves and be fully seen. Looking ahead, Justice aspires to grow as a performer, educator, and chamber musician while building a career that uplifts and inspires others.

Lauren Sellars, G2

Lauren Sellars is a passionate hornist from South Carolina, USA. In 2020, after graduating high school, she pursued a bachelor’s degree from Converse University in South Carolina. There, she studied music with a focus on horn performance. She studied under the guidance of Anneka Zuelkhe-King and Dr. Ericka Tyner-Grodrian. In 2024, she returned to school, persuing a master's degree at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, where she studies with Dr. Maria Serkin.  

Not only is she a performer, but she is an involved teacher. She began teaching in 2023, focusing on helping young students efficiently learn to play their instruments and to prepare them for all-region auditions. Additionally, she has always looked to further her education in music history. In the future, she wants to work towards discovering and advocating for underrepresented women composers and performers.

Mia Vernon, HS Junior

Mia Vernon is a junior in the high school music program at UNCSA, where she studies horn performance with Dr. Maria Serkin. Previously, she attended Leesville Road High School in Raleigh, North Carolina, and studied privately with Lisa Burn. 

At Leesville, Mia was selected for the All-County, East Central District, and the North Carolina All-State Bands. She is a member of the Tri-M Music Honor Society and has performed throughout Europe as a 2023 Carolina Ambassador of Music. Most recently, she performed with the Triangle Youth Philharmonic during the 2024–2025 season, under David Glover. 

Mia plans to pursue a career as a French horn player in one of the premier military bands in Washington, D.C. In her free time, she enjoys being with her family, traveling, shopping, visiting the North Carolina coast, and exploring new coffee shops with friends.