San Diego Symphony Orchestra Associate Concertmaster Wesley Precourt has appeared as a soloist with numerous orchestras around North America and is an avid recitalist, recording artist and new music collaborator. He has been presented by the Musical Merit Foundation, First United Methodist Churches of San Diego and Escondido and the La Jolla Athenaeum’s series. He was a featured performer at the dedication ceremony of the Heifetz Studio at The Colburn Conservatory where he also collaborated with Paul Neubauer, Ida Levin, Ronald Leonard and Richard Beene.

He has performed and recorded with pop artists including Christina Aguilera, Justin Timberlake, No Doubt, Taylor Swift, Robbie Williams, Rod Stewart and many others. Precourt has won awards at international competitions, including the Spotlight Awards of Los Angeles, the NFAA ARTS Awards and the Kingsville International Competitions, among others. Precourt is a graduate of the Thornton School of Music at USC and the Colburn Conservatory.

1. Tell us about your musical journey. How and when did you come to play the violin? 

I started playing the violin at the age of four. My parents wanted all of their children to play instruments and I chose the violin because I wanted to be like my older brother. I studied locally in San Diego until high school at which point I began taking lessons with Robert Lipsett at the Colburn School in Los Angeles. For three years, I traveled to and from LA twice a week — which, looking back, seems a little crazy.

I went on to earn my bachelor’s degree at the University of Southern California and later completed an artist diploma at the Colburn School.

2. How did you come to the San Diego Symphony? How long have you been playing with the Symphony? 

I first auditioned as a substitute for the San Diego Symphony in the spring of 2011. While freelancing in Los Angeles, I was placed on the sub list and began performing with the Symphony that fall. During my first year, I was called for nearly the entire Masterworks season.

In May 2013, I won a section violin position. Rotating between the first and second violin sections provided invaluable experience and deepened my understanding of what it means to be a great orchestral violinist. In the fall of 2015, I auditioned for and won the associate concertmaster post.

3. What is your favorite San Diego Symphony memory so far? 

One of the most memorable experiences of my career was the opening of The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park™. After the challenges we all faced during the pandemic, being part of such a powerful celebration of art, music, and community was both humbling and profoundly rewarding. It was a moment of pride — and a reminder of what this organization can achieve when passion and vision come together.

4. Tell us about your experience in the first year back at the renovated Jacobs Music Center? Any significant artistic memories or details?

The first Masterworks concert back in our hall was an unforgettable milestone. After so much time away from performing on that stage, and after touring all around the county during the transition, stepping into our new home was both emotional and exhilarating. The hall was filled with a sense of renewal, anticipation, and joy that’s hard to describe.

What made that moment even more special was a small personal surprise. Just before our first rehearsal with the chorus for Mahler’s Second Symphony, a friend said, “Someone in the choir wants to say hi.” My wife, Hanah Stuart, also a violinist in the orchestra, and I looked up to see her mom waving from the loft. A professional choral singer, she had secretly auditioned and joined the chorus for the performance, all the way from Chicago. In that instant, all the jitters of opening weekend disappeared. When I turned to Martha Gilmer to share what had just happened, she smiled and said, “I know.” It turned out she, Rafael, and the artistic team had been in on the surprise for over a year — a testament to the thoughtfulness and camaraderie that made that opening night so memorable.

4. What other projects are you working on at the moment? 

I recently completed a recording project with several of my colleagues for Art of Élan, a collaboration that grew out of many seasons of performing together, and a celebration of Art of Élan’s 20th anniversary. In fact, the HAWK Quartet — which I play in with my wife, Hanah, and our friends Kate Hatmaker and her husband Alex— was formed through our ongoing work with Art of Élan. Chamber music continues to be a meaningful part of my musical life, and I perform regularly outside of the Symphony. I also maintain a small private studio and I truly enjoy working with the next generation of violinists, passing on the knowledge and inspiration that shaped me as a young musician.

5. What piece or pieces are you looking most forward to performing this 2025-26 Masterworks season?

I’m very much looking forward to performing Bluebeard’s Castle at the end of the season. I’ve always loved Bartók’s music, and this will be my first opportunity to play this incredible work.

6. Describe your role as associate concertmaster—what duties are entailed and how do they influence the sound of the Symphony this season?

My role in the orchestra is a very flexible one. First and foremost, I’m prepared to step in for San Diego Symphony Concertmaster, Jeff Thayer, whenever he is unable to lead. Beyond that, I do my best to support Jeff’s leadership of the section by acting as a conduit—channeling information quickly and efficiently from the front of the section to the back, and vice versa.

Often during rehearsals, Jeff will share instructions over his shoulder or be engaged in conversation with Rafael, and it’s my responsibility to quietly disseminate that information to the rest of the section.

I also have the pleasure of leading the orchestra many times throughout the year. It’s an absolute joy to serve as concertmaster and play alongside such fine musicians.

7. What does life away from music look like?

When I’m not practicing, rehearsing, or performing, I try to spend as much time outdoors as possible. I love gardening—especially growing roses, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, rock climbing, skiing, and taking my dogs to the beach. Our younger dog even attends agility classes! The list of hobbies goes on, and I sometimes wonder if I have too many.

I also spend a lot of time cooking and experimenting with new culinary techniques. This past year has been all about fermentation, much to Hanah's annoyance, thanks to the many bottles now filling our fridge.