Amal Gochenour, piccolo and flute

***Seasons with BSO: 5

***Hometown: Vienna, VA

***Age Started: I apparently wanted to play flute since I was five years old, but my parents made the wise decision to start me on piano instead. Finally, at the age of 10, I was able to switch to flute! The piccolo came into my life many years later, when I realized it was far easier to carry around for high school marching band. Since then, I have consistently played both instruments.

***Favorite Restaurant In Baltimore: The Helmand

***Pets: I have a new rescue Bengal kitten named Olive. She’s sweet and hilarious.

***Earliest Memories at the BSO: My tenure with the BSO started off with a bang as I joined the orchestra just in time for their European tour. It was an incredible experience that allowed me to quickly get to know my colleagues and perform exceptional programs right from the start. I especially loved performing Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony at the BBC Proms.

*** Favorite Composer: I especially love Rachmaninoff, Liszt, Chopin, Ravel, and Debussy. I realize that’s more than two…

***Concert this Season You’re Most Excited About: Shostakovich Symphony No. 10, in June.

***Fondest Musical Memory: Performing “La bohème ” in 2012 with the late Lorin Maazel at the Royal Opera House in Muscat, Oman. A really special and memorable trip!

***Favorite Trips: I really enjoy adventure travel! Earlier this year my husband and I trekked around the Patagonia region for two weeks, which was incredible. I’ve also done a trapeze intensive in the Dominican Republic and have gotten scuba certified.